Byron and Faye
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.
Byron has Asperger’s syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyspraxia.
Faye, Byron’s mother, told the Royal Commission she is now homeschooling Byron because ‘his school experiences have been horrific for him and [her] encounters with principals have been troubling’.
In his early years at primary school, another student pulled Byron off a slide, kicked him and dragged him away. Byron bit the other student to make him stop. The school suspended Byron.
‘The other child was not reprimanded at all.’
At another school he was bullied so severely, he began self-harming.
‘The school denied that bullying was happening at their school,’ said Faye.
Kids regularly took Byron’s glasses and threw them in the bin. They stole his belongings, including special equipment recommended by his occupational therapist.
Faye said the school offered him little support and would not follow the recommendations of his therapists or psychologist.
‘We were told that because Byron was diagnosed in [another state], they refused to recognise his diagnosis in [this state] and would have to have him diagnosed again.’
Byron has a high IQ and was winning academic awards, but the school placed him in classes a year below his age group.
One day at school, another student grabbed Byron around the neck and forced him to expose himself in front of other students.
‘The principle called me to inform me with the exact words, “Don’t worry we have dealt with it”, but would not tell me how. This was when I decided not to send him back,’ Faye told us.
The school wrote to the education department to try to stop Faye homeschooling Byron.
‘[The school suggested] that I was incapable of educating my child, even though I have two science degrees.’
Faye left her job to teach and care for Byron full time.
‘I am a single mother and now I do not get a break at all, as I am mother, carer and teacher. I am also sad at the fact that my son is missing out on the social interactions and development of basic societal skills building.’
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.