Jordy and Nyree
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.
‘I just want to say that we do not ever want this to happen to another child again.’
Nyree is the grandmother of Jordy, who’s autistic and goes to primary school. Jordy also has an intellectual disability and is non-verbal.
‘He can understand everything you can say,’ Nyree told the Royal Commission. ‘We go kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding. He cooks with me with verbal instructions. He does activities all with verbal instructions.’
A few years ago Jordy started kindergarten at a private school.
‘It had a special needs centre and [Jordy’s] mum had already organised the assessments so [Jordy] started school with a full-time [education assistant] EA. And at that time he was the only special needs child in the centre and it was his funding that kept it going.’
Nyree said the special needs centre, when the family eventually saw it, turned out to be a ‘glorified storeroom’.
‘It has nothing in it that was to do with special needs. There was nothing in there and I have never, ever, in [several] years that he was there seen any work that he did, brought home or otherwise.’
Nyree said although the school said it would give him an inclusive education, it excluded him from his classroom.
‘He didn’t actually get taught by a teacher … He was locked in [the room] with one assistant which I think is not an acceptable practice anyway. So he didn’t have access to the same resources.’
The school wouldn’t let Jordy play with his peers.
‘He was seen by people crying at this flyscreen door … wanting to get out and play and he wasn’t allowed to.’
Nyree said when the school organised an annual dance, Jordy’s EA wouldn’t let him join in.
‘When all the children came in and the children all went on the stage, [Jordy] was taken to the side.’
Jordy’s teacher refused to tell his mum why he was excluded.
‘[His mum] was absolutely sobbing because she’d been out, bought his little outfit and been playing, you know, the little dance at home for him.’
Nyree said the school also refused to tell them what Jordy was doing each day.
‘If we knew what he was doing … we could extend on that at home and build on it … but they refuse to even use that. They said an absolutely no.’
Jordy developed anxiety. When he wet himself at school, staff put his damp clothes into his bag with his schoolwork and lunch.
Jordy’s parents enrolled him in a nearby public school.
‘This is a government school where they’re raising their own funds to buy sensory equipment. And it’s old, but the care and respect that they give the children is amazing,’ Nyree told the Royal Commission.
‘He walked into school today skipping and saying, “Happy, happy” … He’s treated with dignity at all times and he’s cared and respected and valued.’
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.