May 8, 2018, (Canada) Star Halifax: Nova Scotia to hire over 190 to boost support of classrooms with behavioural issues, autism—The hirings include 40 child youth care practitioners, 60 education assistants and 70 specialist teachers with expertise in supporting children with behavioural challenges. https://www.thestar.com/halifax/2018/05/08/nova-scotia-to-hire-over-190-to-boost-support-of-classrooms-with-behavioural-issues-autism.html … The hirings include 40 child youth care practitioners and 60 education assistants; 70 specialist teachers with expertise in supporting children with behavioural challenges; 11 parent navigators to help families get programs and services; four student health nurses; and six school psychologists and speech language pathologists. The department is also funding eight alternative education programs throughout the province and two achieve programs to help students with complex needs to prepare for life after high school. Teachers will also received specialized training to help deal with complex classrooms, and teacher and education assistants will also receive training in autism support. The announcement follows the release of an independent commission’s report on inclusive education in March that recommended hiring between 600 and 700 more specialists by 2022.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.