'They said my son was getting too strong to handle'

A mother is pleading for help after her non-verbal son was expelled from his public primary school.

A mother is calling for change after her autistic 10-year-old boy was expelled from his public school in Sydney.

Daisy Ng’s non-verbal son Andrew was expelled from Stanmore Public School for “serious behaviours of concern”, leaving the mother desperate to find education fast.

She has started a petition requesting permission for her to be onsite at the school with her son to attend to his daily needs, as she believes it will “significantly reduce incidents and achieve Andrew’s best potential”.

Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. 

“Since Andrew was a toddler, he sometimes grabbed our hands for stress relief when he was unwell,” Ms Ng told Kidspot.

“The Director Educational Leadership for the Marrickville Principals Network said Andrew was getting stronger.

“He bit an apple and used a firm grip to take hold of a staff member's shirt and rubbed his temples accidentally causing scratches.

“He lost a baby molar tooth two days later and the grabbing stopped.

“I am much more familiar with Andrew's trigger and I don't want any staff members to get hurt. 

“I would like to support Andrew at school and the staff member could focus on teaching Andrew.”

RELATED: 'It only took two days for the new daycare teacher to kick my toddler out'

Daisy Ng stands outside Stanmore Public School with her son Andrew, who was expelled for 'problem behaviours'. Picture: Supplied

"The decision to expel any student is never made lightly"

Ms Ng said Andrew made remarkable progress from Kindy to Year 3 at Stanmore Public School.

“In Year 4, due to changes in staff, suspension and behaviour management policy, it was not the inclusive school that Andrew was in,” she claimed.

A spokesperson from the NSW Department of Education told Kidspot the decision to expel Andrew was consistent with the department’s suspension and expulsion procedures which took into consideration the potential of alternative behaviour support management, intervention and risk management strategies.

Introducing our new podcast: Mum Club! Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.

They said the decision included consultation with the family and an independent review of the support provided by Stanmore Public School.

“The decision to expel any student, especially a student with a disability, is never made lightly,” the spokesperson said.

“We have a legal obligation to both make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities and protect the safety of staff and other students.”

RELATED: Siblings expelled from daycare after complaints of ‘horrendous conditions’

Andrew was expelled before he could finish Year 4. Picture: Supplied

"The class teachers were all lovely and devoted to teaching Andrew"

Ms Ng told Kidspot Andrew had intensive behaviour therapy inside the regular classroom in Kindy and Year 1.

“After intensive behaviour therapy inside the classroom, he learnt to ask for a break, food and the toilet without any prompting,” Ms Ng said. 

“He learned to read sight words. He wore his chew toys and hats. None of these had ever been accomplished before. 

“School staff were actively learning from the behaviour therapists.”

At the end of Kindy, the school employed its first ever special education teacher to teach and support Andrew and other neurodivergent students in the regular class.

“It was very lucky for Andrew to have two teachers. One was the class teacher and another was the special education teacher,” Ms Ng said.

“The class teachers were all lovely and devoted to teaching Andrew. Both teachers worked together to support Andrew.

“Andrew learned to point to words, sat at the table for a much longer period and followed instructions.”

RELATED: Nothing is straightforward when it comes to raising my twins with autism

Andrew is non-verbal, and lives with autism. Picture: Supplied

"Andrew deserves the opportunity to learn from his peers"

Ms Ng said Andrew went to specialised education settings/support classes before he began at Stanmore Public School.

"He has had a speech therapist, occupational therapist, and behaviour therapist since he was three,” Ms Ng said.

“A psychologist highly recommended a special school setting. I was full of hope.

“It didn't work out, unfortunately. Andrew wandered around and only sat when he ate. He had problem behaviour, but not many strategies had been discussed and executed.”

According to Ms Ng, by having autistic students inside the regular classroom, students learn to accept and care for classmates who might be “different” and the world will be a better and more inclusive place.

“Having Andrew at Stanmore Public School is beneficial for other students helping to raise autism awareness. Andrew’s classmate assisted me in explaining Andrew's behaviour to another child in a community basketball class was quite special.”

“Andrew deserves the opportunity to learn from his peers with and without disabilities. He deserves a quality education,” Ms Ng said.

Originally published as 'They said my son was getting too strong to handle'