Call For More Support For Kids With Special Learning Needs In Classrooms

A new nationwide survey by online tutoring company, Cluey Learning, has revealed 90 per cent of parents who have at least one child with a special learning need agree there should be more support in classrooms.

Whilst a similar proportion of those surveyed were full of praise for their child’s teacher, 58 per cent were frustrated at the lack of resources and funding to support their child.

With October being ADHD Awareness Month, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is estimated to affect one in 14 children in Australia. A report from the ADHD Foundation also states the vast majority of teachers believed their schools could do more to support students with ADHD.

Cluey found that almost one in five parents (16 per cent) with school-aged children have at least one child with a special learning need.

Dr Selina Samuels, Cluey’s Chief Learning Officer, said she understands how difficult it can be for parents of children with special learning needs to seek out additional learning support which ensures their child is making progress in the classroom.

Some 24 per cent of students currently using Cluey’s services face one or more specific learning challenges – ADHD being the most prevalent (47 per cent), followed by autism and anxiety.

“Parents reported that anxiety, difficulty focusing and being easily distracted are the top challenges for students who are neurodivergent or have a mental health condition,” added Dr Samuels.

The survey shows four out of five parents are worried about how their child is coping in class. Furthermore, a large proportion of parents – 71 per cent – feel their child needs more academic support outside the classroom.

“Almost all parents who have used tutoring [such as online tutoring programs] have found it to be helpful for their child,” said Dr Samuels. “In fact, 44 percent of parents say one-to-one learning is essential. Importantly, more than one in two people surveyed said consistency with teachers and routines is crucial in their child’s learning development.

“We know teachers are committed to supporting all their students but are also operating in a complex and demanding environment. At Cluey, we see our role as the learning partner who works alongside students, parents and teachers where additional support is needed.

“Our one-to-one approach, programs and session structure create a supportive and nurturing learning environment which can be particularly valuable for students who find classroom noise, distractions and disruptions overwhelming and struggle to focus.”

For more information on Cluey’s approach to tutoring children with special learning needs, visit the blog here: ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia.

20 Comments

- - DeeDee said
  - 28 Oct 2024
    10:50 pm
This is why I’m embarking on a journey to become a support officer in class
Every child deserves a helping hand, and a chance to *enjoy* school.

- - mom465794 said
  - 19 Oct 2024
    6:58 am
I agree with this. I’ve seen the special needs support and it just isn’t enough

- - mom512381 said
  - 31 Aug 2024
    6:32 pm
This would help a lot as more children are being diagnosed than ever before

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 30 Jul 2024
    12:15 pm
It’s definitely something that’s needed. Especially training regarding kids on the spectrum. A lot of teachers just don’t have the qualifications and training to understand teaching kids with forms of autism.

- - mom19782016 said
  - 03 May 2024
    12:53 pm
Government funding for more speech pathologists, occupational therapists and school psychologists is needed to actually address many of these kids in schools. Sadly, a lot of kids who would benefit from these allied health professionals do no qualify for NDIS funding and many parents can’t afford private therapy fees. Teachers in turn would benefit from knowing where students are struggling, being able to work with allied health professionals to integrate goals and specifically tailor teaching and exercises to kids. Boom – improved outcomes already.

- - ashlieej said
  - 23 Jul 2023
    9:39 pm
I agree! My son has additional needs and not many schools have the support and without NDIS a lot of children would be in trouble

- - mom111059 said
  - 29 Jan 2023
    9:20 pm
Help in the classroom for special learning is important to help the whole class.

- - mom461676 said
  - 16 Nov 2022
    11:45 am
100% agree – ADHD needs to be recognised as a disability so that schools and parents can access appropriate funding!

- - Chlozzalove said
  - 28 Oct 2022
    4:00 pm
We definitely need more support in classrooms ????????

- - My Little Buttons said
  - 23 Oct 2022
    1:30 pm
Yes Australian Schools are falling before our kids are not learning properly bring back the basic handwriting and the Times Tables. Kids have forgotten how to even write now as its all done on computers

- - Mum.of.2. said
  - 22 Oct 2022
    8:16 pm
I think classes are too big- everyone learns differently, and bug classes mean that kids will be left behind. It’s just setting them up to fail throughout their schooling.

- - cassy26 said
  - 20 Oct 2022
    9:32 am
Classes seem to be getting larger and larger and parents are finding it harder to access the professionals they need for their children to be diagnosed. with learning difficulties. Even with diagnosis, the support seems very limited in many cases. I definitely think a lot of learning needs to take place outside the classroom, its just too hard for one person with 30 students, all at different levels with different learning styles to individually address every ones separate needs.

- - Mom466555 said
  - 20 Oct 2022
    1:08 am
Schools need to step away from old learning models of one way fits all

- - BellaB said
  - 19 Oct 2022
    7:11 pm
It is so hard to get extra help even with a diagnosis – my son is deaf and we get 1 hour a week of classroom assistance. Without a diagnosis you have no hope.

- - ASH&FELIX said
  - 19 Oct 2022
    9:25 am
I love that more recognition about learning difficulties and differences are being made within Australia. It would be great to see all students in a combined learning environment with educators (additional) available for those with increased requirements. We recently had a Special School open near the local primary school and I have heard brilliant things and great outcomes from this school

- - Ellen said
  - 19 Oct 2022
    8:48 am
I believe in a system where all kids learn alongside each other in class on a level adjusted to their ability. My youngest has for example Down syndrome with a severe cognitive delay and severe ADHD; She’s in a mainstream school and has full time one-on-one support from a teacher aide the work she gets offered is adjusted to her level. This way she is totally included and not excluded or segregated. I do think smaller classes are good.

- - mom265671 said
  - 18 Oct 2022
    8:34 pm
We need smaller classes to begin with so more students can get better support and teachers arent overwhelmed

- - Frankiielot said
  - 18 Oct 2022
    10:00 am
I agree this is great. Classrooms should have a smaller amount of kids in each so that each child has an ability to engage with the teacher, ask questions and learn well.
- mom111059 replied
  
  22 Feb 2023 , 9:40 am
  Unfortunately, we have a teacher shortage so smaller classes means more teachers needed.
- - TraceyGail said
  - 18 Oct 2022
    7:12 am
No child should be left behind so extra assistance is a must. Falling behind and not being able to reach their potential because they find it a little harder can’t just be ignored. We all learn at a different pace =and some need a different approach to get it.