Autism school in Coldstream given okay by Yarra Ranges Council
A mum’s dream to open a school for children on the autism spectrum has become a reality after Yarra Ranges Council approved a land lease in Coldstream.
Outer East
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A mum’s dream to open a school for children on the autism spectrum has become a reality after Yarra Ranges Council approved a land lease in Coldstream.
Melissa Handbury and her board of directors can now start the process opening Lyrebird College on the vacant block, next to Coldstream Primary School.
If everything goes according to plan the teachers will welcome about 12 students to the school in January 2020.
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The search has taken Ms Handbury three years after she set out to open a school to cater for students in the outer east.
Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader reported Ms Handbury planned to provide tailored teaching and therapy-based learning for children with autism at primary and secondary school level in October 2017.
The idea grew after planning for the future of her 10-year-old son Logan.
Cr Fiona McAllister said Autism was very prevalent in Australia.
Cr McAllister said a letter by Coldstream Primary School principal Phillippa Adgemis talked about 20 per cent of children at the school were diagnosed and undiagnosed with autism.
“The prevalence of autism in Australia in 2015, 164,000 Australians were diagnosed or recognised as having autism,” Cr McAllister said.
“And 83 per cent of those were under 25. You’re looking at 150,000 Australians with autism under 25.”
“We should be proud to have a school supporting children with ASD in our municipality.”
Ms Handbury said the next stage was going through the council’s planning process. The board expects to take expressions of interest in May.
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