Source: ABC News: Josh Bavas
A 7-year-old boy with autism, of Greek origin, was locked in an isolation room in a school in Sydney, by those responsible for his education. The mother protested to the school administration and instead of finding a solution, the police sent her home and forbade her to go to school. The case is now being investigated by the NNO education department, while the school administration has been appointed. on temporary suspension of work.
BY EMMA PAPAEMMANOUEL - ΈΜΜΑ ΠΑΠΑΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΉΛ, VASILIS RAGOUSIS
7-year-old Yianni Ferekos is on the autism spectrum, is of Greek descent and attends the Penshurst West Public School in Sydney. Katerina and Bill Ferekos's parents learned that when the child was at school, which has three special classes for children with autism, they locked him in a small isolation room, alone to "calm down". But the child was crying, holding his dolls and asking for his mom.
Ferekos family
ABC News: Josh Bavas
The incident was confirmed by students, parents, but also a therapist who, while he wanted to help little Yianni, did not know who had the keys to the isolation room, to open the locked door.
Highlights
Complaint that an elementary school locked a boy with autism in isolation
Penshurst West Public School is under investigation by the NNO Department of Education
The seven-year-old boy with autism is of Greek origin
ABC News: Josh Bavas
Nicole Rogerson, executive director of Autism Awareness Australia, said locking up a child with autism was illegal and that the school administration should have handled the issue more sensitively to their special needs. "There are so many techniques that could be used to improve this situation," she said.
We know very well that there are good educational practices without exclusions and isolation of children.
When Yianni's mother went to school and asked for an explanation, the administration decided to send the police home. With a letter forbidding her even to go to the school premises.
Penshurst West Public School
ABC News: Josh Bavas
Katerina Ferekos, however, was not left with folded arms. She informed the NNO education department, not only to protect her own child, but also the other children who may be treated accordingly.
I am not ashamed to have a child with Autism, I will support it until my last breath. Not only for Yianni, but also to help the other children.
The NNO education department has admitted that the school did not follow the guidelines for children with disabilities and, according to Murat Dizdar, deputy secretary of the NNO Education Department at ABC, the school administration has been suspended. until the investigation of the case is completed.
These serious allegations show that the department's policies and procedures do not appear to have been followed and that a thorough investigation is needed.
Mr Dizdar said the department would apologize to the family for the way they were treated.
ABC News: Josh Bavas
On the side of little Yianni and Bill's father, he stressed that the way he treated his son at school is not fair, neither for his child, nor for the other children. The investigation of the NNO education department for the case is ongoing.
Listen to the interview given by the mother of little Yianni, Katerina Ferekos, on the Greek program of SBS radio, by clicking play on the podcast that accompanies the original photo.