July 14, 2020, NI ViewDitgital.com: Mum tells of stressful time as her son Harry is told that there is no place for him at NI special needs schools https://viewdigital.org/mum-tells-of-stressful-time-as-her-son-harry-is-told-that-there-is-no-place-for-him-at-ni-special-needs-schools/ Harry Stewart, aged 8, last attended Oakwood Special School on March 13 this year. He has a chromosome disorder, is autistic and non-verbal. To a child like Harry, school is extremely important. But the Northern Ireland Education Authority have informed Harry’s parents that there is no place for him to return to school in September at either Glenveagh or Tor Bank special schools in Belfast?... Colette said the situation had been hard on the family and had been stressful at times. Harry going to school offered respite for the whole family. The news that there is no school place for Harry in September has been a blow for them. It appears that Harry is not alone as at least 100 other children have also been left without a special school place. Alliance Party MLA Chris Lyttle, who is chair of the Education Committee at Stormont, said: ‘It is unacceptable that children with special educational needs are without a school or special school place for September…. Meanwhile Harry and his family face a very uncertain future in terms of his educational needs.
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.
Loss of Brain Trust features over 9,000 news stories published worldwide since January, 2017
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