#49 - Student Voice - Claire & Althea’s Lived Experience

Описание: Host Leisa Reichelt is joined by 18-year-old Althea and her mum, Claire to talk about about Althea’s School Can’t experience through high school in Melbourne.

After early positive years at school COVID stuck, meaning much of Years 7–8 were done on Zoom, disrupting connection and engagement with school. By Years 9–10 sensory overwhelm was escalating but getting accommodations involved battles, meanwhile academic pressures and worsening mental health led made it harder and harder for Althea to attend school.

Following ADHD and autism diagnoses, Althea and Claire explored alternatives and ultimately were able to do homeschooling with a part-time (dual) enrolment so Althea could continue VCE Outdoor Ed and stay connected to friends and meaningful roles like library volunteering. Working with educational therapy and towards the Big Picture learning credential, Althea pursued interest-based learning, fundraising, conferences, and career exploration, and has now started TAFE study in Allied Health Assistance.

This is a hopeful story that shows how by finding the right path rather than just pushing on with mainstream approaches, our young people can overcome extremely difficult experiences and go on to thrive.


00:00 Welcome and Student Voice
01:00 Meet Althea and Claire
02:40 Early School Years and Moves
06:05 A Great Teacher Year Six
07:52 Lockdown Zoom School Struggles
10:21 Year Nine Pressure and Diagnosis
11:26 Fighting for Sensory Supports
13:57 Wanting School but Burning Out
18:49 Year Ten Workload and Outdoor Ed
20:01 Falling Behind in Class
21:29 Attendance Stress Spiral
22:31 Meltdowns and Burnout
24:12 Autism Diagnosis Relief
25:20 Fighting for Dual Enrollment
27:06 Homeschool Support Team
30:01 Life Learning Highlights
32:55 Big Picture Credential Explained
34:58 TAFE and Future Paths
39:10 Key Takeaways and Wrap Up


People & resources mentioned in this episode:
Althea’s Macquarie Island Conference Presentation -    • I CAN Student Talk - Althea “Macquarie Isl...  
U&I Educational Therapy - https://www.uandi.com.au/educationalt...
Mitagundi Outdoor Education Centre - https://www.mittagundi.org.au/
Wollangarra Outdoor Education Centre - https://wollangarra.org/
Big Picture Australia - https://www.bigpicture.org.au/
Big Picture International Learning Credential - https://www.bigpicture.org.au/what-in...

School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/
School Can’t Australia Facebook Community -   / schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia  

If you are a parent or carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/i...

Get in touch?
Email us at [email protected] with your feedback, suggestions or to volunteer to share your School Can’t experience.

Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.