The 31st of December 2009 not only marked the end of a year, it also marked the loss of a crucial service for the children with disability of the Penrith and lower Blue Mountains area. The NSW Department of Education and Training closed the Penrith South Early Intervention Class without any community consultation and relocated it to Sydney’s North West. The North West is a growing area of families and no doubt the need for an Early Intervention class is great, however, how does the NSW Government decide it is greater than the need of Penrith and the lower Mountains?

The Government has argued there is a class 1.6 km away and that is true. Unfortunately for the children of Penrith with disability, this class is full; actually both the Kingswood South and Penrith South Early Intervention classes had excellent student numbers. So, why relocate one of them? The Government simply will not allocate any more money to fund an extra class. Who misses out? Those who are most vulnerable and those who cannot speak for themselves.

Early Intervention is absolutely crucial for children with disability. A federal government funded report states that children with autism require a minimum of 20 hours a week of early intervention. Autism is the most prevalent disability affecting children with 1 in every 160 children being diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children with intellectual disability, Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy also benefit from consistent early intervention.

A NSW Department of Education and Training Early Intervention Classes may be the only option for children whose parents cannot afford private therapies or the term fees charged by some not for profit organisations. What happens to those children in the Penrith and lower Mountains now? These Early Intervention classes also provide an important link for children and the Department of Education in terms of school placement. Children in these classes have access to assessments and school counsellors who can work with parents to determine the correct placement for a child. Some children require placement in a special school, others in support units and some are mainstreamed with support.

As a teacher and the mother of four boys, two of which have an autism spectrum disorder, I see this as being a case of absolute neglect for our children’s educational needs. I find it astonishing that people who work as educators and have worked in teaching positions like myself could make such a decision.

Fortunately, for the people of Penrith and the lower Mountains the Autism Advisory and Support Service have taken this case on and they are succeeding. AASS have been successful in gaining media coverage and raising awareness of the issue. They also have the support of MP John Kaye who has raised the issue in Parliament but to no avail.

I would call on the NSW State Government to reopen the Penrith South Early Intervention Class for the benefit of our children with disability. Children who receive Early Intervention have a better quality of life; they gain more independence and hence require less support and in turn taxpayer dollars later in life. It is in the Government’s best interest to provide access to these Early Intervention classes. Unfortunately, it would seem our Government doesn’t consider the educational needs of our children with disability.

It is said actions speak louder than words, so what does it say about a Government who can cancel a transport plan and pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to contractors but will close an Intervention class for children with disability?

Peta Holmes
B.Ed. Secondary (Humanities)