for children with "mild to moderate" autism is long overdue. I know that statement will not go down well with anyone who now has funding or believes their child should have it. I will not however make any apologies for saying it. You have been fortunate to get any funding at all. If you get some extra help in another program then be grateful for it.
I am tired of "he's on the spectrum" being used as an excuse for anti-social and unacceptable behaviour. I am tired of it being used as an excuse for some children being restless and not working in school.
School is a place where children should expect to go to work. It is not a place where there should be expectations about entertainment. Yes, the entertainment might happen occasionally. That can happen in any work place but you should not expect school to be "fun" all the time.
I have a friend whose IQ is far higher than that of most people and her achievements are many. I have also heard people say things like, "Oh well it's because she is so intelligent. She didn't really have to do any work."
That is completely and utterly wrong. She has worked. She worked from the very start of her education and she still works today. There is always something new for her to learn. She works at a prestigious university and also as a very, very high level translator. Nights will often find her studying vocabulary ready for a meeting between people who can influence world events. It is not an easy role and the idea that it comes easily to her is something that frustrates her. She keeps telling her students they need to work and work far harder than they think they do.
This does not seem to happen in school. Learning to read is hard work for most children. Learning to deal with numbers and other concepts is - or should be - hard work for most people. If you are hungry it can be very difficult to concentrate. "Breakfast" clubs can overcome the problem in families where there is genuine financial hardship. The same club is not the answer for a child whose parents simply don't care or can't be bothered to see they have breakfast. It is not the answer because there will be other problems as well in an instance like that. If you are tired because you have been up playing computer games or watching television then that is a parenting problem. It does not make you "autistic" or "on the spectrum".
Severe autism is a very serious and real disability. It is not a mild behaviour issue which would once have marked you out as a "bit eccentric". It is not a quirky behaviour which might be amusing or annoying, It is behaviour which seriously impacts your ability to function in society. There really is a difference. Severe autism can disrupt the life of everyone around that child and they need help as much as the child. Poor behaviour which is excused as "on the spectrum" needs to be reviewed and handled. It may be hard work but it does not require massive sums of money taken from those who really need it.
The child with the second i-pad is also getting $18,000 a year in funding for a range of activities that have made no noticeable difference to his behaviour. If offered a special treat for good behaviour he can behave perfectly but his mother insists that he is special and in special need. Meanwhile the child in the wheelchair is struggling to be comfortable at school but is working hard "because maybe I can get a job one day". I hope he gets that job. He will have worked for it.