Robbie
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Robbie, aged 10, is autistic. He is lonely, distressed and isolated.
‘My son is not allowed on excursions, school camps, school awards, and was not included in the school yearbook,’ Robbie’s mum told the Royal Commission.
Robbie attends a large mainstream public primary school and he’s the only ‘non-mainstream’ student.
At school, Robbie is separated from other students by a cubicle partition in the corner of an activity area used by students from other classes.
‘The children and parents call him “the boy in the box”,’ his mum said.
Robbie is very unhappy about his school experience and is refusing to attend. His mum said he hates not being in a classroom with other children. He feels they’ve forgotten him and moved on. They have nothing in common with him, as they are all in classes and he isn’t. He feels a terrible separation as the only ‘non-mainstream’ child at the entire school and is very distressed to be known as ‘the boy in the box’.
‘Schools are needed for children such as my son. Deemed too high-needs for “mainstream”, yet he is the lone “non-mainstream” child in his entire school, and not eligible for any other schooling. IQ over 70 means he is prohibited from attending a special unit.’
She said in country areas ‘these children end up in the scrap heap with no education … even the basics’.
She would like to see a school in every region to cater for every ‘non-mainstream’ child with an IQ over 70, so they can attend full time like mainstream children are allowed to.
‘To not be segregated apart from other children in schools. To be included in activities. To not be excluded. To receive support from school staff in relation to their disability and gain an education just like mainstream children have. To be allowed on school camp, excursions, awards, and the school yearbook.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.