I am a Victim of Educational Violence…
Do you ever feel like you're fighting an uphill battle,
trying to ensure that your child receives the support and understanding they deserve? If so, you're not alone. As a fellow parent who has faced the challenges of advocating for a child with needs, I understand the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with navigating the educational system.
Here are some of the struggles I've encountered along the way:
Feeling Undermined: When expressing concerns about my child's well-being, I've often been met with dismissal or belittlement. It's disheartening to feel like your voice isn't being heard or taken seriously.
Unfair Blame: I've been unfairly blamed for incidents that happened at school and I was at home, leaving me feeling frustrated and powerless.
Dismissal of Bullying Concerns: Serious concerns about bullying have been brushed aside, leaving me worried about my child's safety and well-being.
Lack of Information: Vital information about the curriculum and possible adjustments for my child has been withheld, making it difficult to ensure they're getting the support they need to succeed and actually being consulted on adjustments - which is the law!
Threats and Intimidation: I've experienced intimidation tactics, such as threats to cancel my child's enrolment if we didn't conform to certain expectations. It's incredibly stressful and unfair.
Restricted Access: Being denied access to the school further isolates us as parents and prevents us from actively participating in our child's education, which is heart-breaking as we love to share school experiences with our children.
Disregard for Expertise: My input as a parent has been dismissed, with educators asserting their authority without considering my valuable insights into my child's needs.
Email Overload: Constant emails, even late at night and at 1.14am in the morning, have added to the stress of advocating for my child. Then in return, be reprimanded for simply trying to communicate and collaborate via email. This is so frustrating, especially when my son has a speech communication disorder.
Blamed for Teacher Stress: Instead of addressing their own shortcomings, educators have blamed me for causing stress, even when everything I've asked for is within Professional Teaching Standards and the Disability Standards of Education (2005).
Lack of Accountability: Serious concerns and questions often go unanswered, leaving me feeling ignored and frustrated.
Unequal Treatment: My child's access to essential therapy services has been restricted, when other student within the school are able to access these services, highlighting the inconsistency and unfairness within the system.
If any of these experiences resonate with you, please know that you're not alone.
Join me in this journey to ensure that every child receives the education and support they deserve.
Together, we can make a difference.