By NICOLE VALICEK
HALLELUJAH was the word used to describe the feeling mother Candice Schultz felt after hearing the news families in the West will have a dedicated P-12 autism school.
The mother of seven-year-old Anthony, who has severe autism, said the announcement would mean her family did not have to sell their house and move and that her child would get the right education.
The autism-specific Prep to Year 12 school promised for Melbourne’s West received a further $8 million from the State Government to secure stage two of development and ensure the full completion of the Western Autistic School (Laverton) project.
Education Minister Martin Dixon said the money, part of the 2012-14 State Budget was in addition to the $4 million committed to the Laverton project in the 2011-12 budget.
Mr Dixon said the West was the only area in Melbourne without a dedicated P-12 school for autism.
“Families in the West deserve to have the choice about where to send their children to school,” he said.
Ms Schultz’s son, Anthony, who also suffered from a severe brain injury, is currently enrolled in his final year at the Western Autistic School in Niddrie that offers Prep to Year 3 program.
The anxious mother said not having an option in the West meant the family would have to move.
“Everyone was prepared to do whatever we needed to do to get an education for Anthony,” she said.
“Things we should never think about we think about because we don’t have any other options.”
Ms Schultz was thrilled with the news that meant Anthony could be surrounded by kids with similar conditions and not fall through the gaps of mainstream school.
“It means we can keep our farm, we can keep our jobs and Anthony will get the help he needs.”
“It means everything.”
When completed, the school will have three separate buildings- early, middle and senior years buildings, as well as specialist classrooms.The school is co-located on the same site as Laverton P-12 College with the Year 4-7 building expected to be completed mid-2014.
Altona Meadows father Mark Websdale, from Autism Schools Action Group, has two children with autism.
Mr Websdale said it was a big win for families and those who had lobbied for the school over a seven-year campaign.
“It means having a range of options available instead of trying to carrel kids with autism into a mainstream school where they will realistically receive minimal support, if any,” he said.
“We still have a way to go, but it is certainly a big step.”
Laverton P-12 College principal Neil Sproal said it was a very important achievement for families in the West.
“It’s terrific that the stage 2 funding has been made available so that we will be able to continue the project right through.”
