Cyflwynwyd yr ymateb hwn i ymchwiliad y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg i weithredu diwygiadau addysg

This response was submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee inquiry into Implementation of education reforms

IER 66

Ymateb gan: Unigolyn
Response from: Individual

Nodwch eich barn mewn perthynas â chylch gorchwyl yr ymchwiliad. | Record your views against the inquiry’s terms of reference. 

Email 1

I understand that there is currently an ongoing committee for the above.

I am the parent of a 16 year old and 20 year old. Both have ALN.

I have a group of parents of children with ALN who are struggling in the current system which is confusing and frustrating. I myself have been trying to get support and a diagnosis for the past 5 years and are no further forward.

My oldest child is studying education at xxxxxxx University and has only been offered support for her learning disability through her college and the university.

The support seems heavy focused at the wrong end of the system.

Many children with ALN will already have disengaged with the education system prior to university age.

I believe there is a huge need for change in the current system that lacks framework and structure and seems set up to support schools and not pupils.

Children and their families need advocacy to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability is implemented across the education system.

In anticipation of further discussions.

Email 2

In our experience children with ALN are susceptible to bullying in the education setting.

Schools seem ill equipped to deal with this.

Historically after months of abuse by the bullying the victim, in some cases,

snaps retaliates violently (due to impulsivity/social communication issues because of their condition and quite often faces severe disciplinary action.

Our experience is that our son’s ADHD led to impulsive behaviour that was taken advantage of by others, who could see xxxxx vulnerability and as such xxx became involved in drug taking and illegal activities.

Luckily, xxx has a support network of family and friends who helped him to turn his behaviour around.

Not all children with ALN have this support, or even have an advocate who can identify their ALN to raise as a concern.

For these children the only chance at support is through the education system identifying and supporting them.

In my experience, the education system is failing many families who are requesting help from the system.

So I have little confidence that the system can identify those not asking for help.