Geelong teenager Imogen speaks on the reality of school while living with disability, as analysis reveals impact of discrimination

A Geelong student says she can’t go to school without facing discrimination from peers and staff due to her disability, while a peak body is calling for change.

Geelong student Imogen has described the discrimination she’s experienced at school because of her disability. Picture: Alan Barber

A Geelong student says she can’t go to school without facing discrimination from peers and staff due to her disability.

Imogen says she has seven of nine traits of borderline personality disorder.

She said she’d known she had symptoms of BPD, which affects thoughts, emotions and behaviours, for about two years.

Imogen, who is only 15, said it was difficult to get a formal diagnosis.

She said when she was younger, her disability presented as anger and obsession, and people would see her as an “attention seeker”.

Imogen lives with psychosocial disabilities, and says she has been bullied because of it. Picture: Alan Barber

“People saw me as a monster,” she said.

“Living with it is very, very difficult.

“It stops me from going to school, it’s ruined a lot of my friendships, and it’s made a lot of people have a big lack of understanding about me.”

Imogen said peers and teachers misunderstood her.

At one school, she said peers would “rile her up” resulting in aggressive behaviour.

Imogen said the principal would suspend her, but not the kids who triggered her.

“She never tried to understand,” Imogen said.

“I’ve had to move high schools because of it, and because of the amount of scrutiny I faced.”

She she’d also been physically attacked by other students.

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) on Thursday released an analysis of surveys into the learning experiences of children and young people with disability.

The national peak body has called on federal Education Minister Jason Clare to deliver and invest in the lifelong development, learning and education of children with disability.

CYDA chief executive Skye Kakoschke-Moore said the results were disappointing and showed discrimination was significantly impacting the education and wellbeing of students with disability.

“This discrimination and exclusion can have lifelong impacts if not addressed early,” she said.

According to the analysis, in early childhood education and care settings, 29 per cent of surveyed families reported exclusion from excursions, events or activities and 28 per cent reported bullying from other children or staff.

In school education settings, 70 per cent of surveyed students reported being excluded from events or activities, and 65 per cent reported experiencing bullying.

Mr Clare said he had asked an expert panel to give advice on the practical reforms that could make the education system “a lot better and a lot fairer”.

Imogen said there needed to be more supports in place for kids with disabilities, including those brought on by trauma.

“I don’t think it’s talked about enough,” she said.

“There’s definitely a lack of support in schools for children with symptoms and traits of (BPD).”

Originally published as Geelong teenager Imogen speaks on the reality of school while living with disability, as analysis reveals impact of discrimination