The Elementary Years.

Elementary school was a very positive experience.Braden attended Ellison elementary school from K-Grade 7. He enjoyed getting on the bus each day and heading off to school.Many of the CEA's in his class worked with him for most of those years. There was a great feeling of family, I received a great deal of support from them and I, in turn, supported them completely. We were,as expected, a team.  I had developed such a wonderful relationship with them based on an enormous sense of trust. Never once did I question that his safety was their ABSOLUTE top priority.In all those years I never had to worry about anyone deviating from the safety plan that was in place for him. I could send him to school knowing that he was respected and cared for.When I wheeled him out of that school after his Grade 7 "graduation" assembly I cried.

High school would prove to be a very different experience for Braden and for me.

Some Background

 This blog (Braden's and my story) is meant to bring awareness to an issue that I have come to learn may be more prevalent than many parents or the public are aware of. How safe are students with special needs in B.C. schools? It is not an indictment of a particular school or person, rather an examination of a system that may be failing our children and putting them at risk of injury or worse. I am on a fact finding mission, to uncover other safety concerns that parents have for their children with special needs in school. I am offering a place for support, sharing of experiences and perhaps brainstorming some solutions.      

 My son Braden had his first seizure at the age of 9 months. When he was approximately 4 years old he was diagnosed with a catastrophic epilepsy syndrome called Lennox Gastaut. Years of uncontrolled seizures and side effects from medications left him severely developmentally delayed and totally dependent on others for all his physical, health and safety needs. 

Braden requires total personal care; feeding, bathing, diapering etc.

I remember so clearly his first day of kindergarten.

When I walked him into that classroom and left him in the care of the teacher and the CEA's I faced a fear that is familiar to many parents of special needs children. 
Will they take care of him? Will he be safe? What if someone hurts him? Most children can come home and tell their parents about their day...this was where my biggest fear came from...Braden is also unable to speak or sign.He was absolutely , completely vulnerable.


Braden has always attended school in a special education class called a Resource Room. A small number of students, with varying disabilities and medical needs are supported by one teacher and several Certified Education Assistants. (CEA's) These assistants are currently required to take and pass a 10 month college course preparing them to deal with a wide variety of special needs (seizures, autism spectrum disorder,Down Syndrome, brain injuries, mobility issues, feeding tubes,hearing impairments,blindness,severe behavior issues and many others too numerous to mention) 


These students require modified educational programs called IEP's. (individualized education plans) Each student's plan is developed with the teacher, parents/caregivers,and any other support staff that are required for that particular student.This may be speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, behavioral interventionists, psychologists,  medical professionals etc.


Children with medical needs also require a safety care plan as well. This is a plan that is written by the public health nurse for the district. It details the specific medical needs of the child,any necessary medications, emergency procedures to be taken if necessary. It must be signed off on by parents every year and updated as conditions change.


In Braden's situation it was written primarily around his seizure types, what to look for,how to treat them, what was 'normal' for him, when to call me, emergency contacts and when an ambulance should be called.


The health nurse then attends the class to provide training to the CEA's on how  to deal with each students specific medical needs.


With all these plans in place parents SHOULD feel confidant that their child's needs, both educational and safety are being well looked after. Right??