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4.3 Viewlands Primary School, Perth

Inclusion of a severely physically disabled pupil in a mainstream school
Viewlands Primary School

Inclusion for Sally

Viewlands is a designated Primary School for children with physical disabilities. On the current role of 400+ we have 5 pupils with cerebral palsy. Sally is a bright 5 year old who is quadraplegic and has no speech. She communicates by using a symbols book, Maketon signs (approximations) and animated facial expressions. From 2001 she had half a day in our nursery and 4 days at Craighalbert each week. In August5 2001 she came to Viewlands one day a week, gradually increasing to the present three. By October 2002 she will attend Viewlands full time but will have a one-week placement at Craighalbert each term. Her Support for Learning Assistant will attend that week with Sally.

Since enrolment in Viewlands we have had regular visits from Craighalbert staff and return visits by some of our staff. In addition, the Support for Learning assistant who works with Sally travels to Craighalbert fortnightly with Sally's mum (previously weekly). Several meetings have been held in Viewlands when we have discussed with parents and professionals the equipment and support required to meet Sally's needs. Sally has an individual programme planned by her class teacher, support for learning teacher, in consultation with the SFL assistant, parents, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist. Special seating is needed in different areas of the school and we have an access toilet. She rides her bike down our long corridors and also uses a wheelchair or rollater.

The success of this programme relies on meticulous planning and good will between parents and professionals in education and health.