On its face, this is welcome news. But you'll have to forgive families for being skeptical and wary. These new EPAs supports must come with an adequate investment in training and professional development. #nspoli (🧵obviously)
https://twitter.com/nsgov/status/1464219463126032398
We also need full-time math and literacy intervention teachers - current resources don't come close to providing the help that is needed.
The focus right now has been on health care - and obviously that's important, but we need to remember how access to education is a key factor in physical and mental health - specifically for disabled people.
How we prioritize inclusion in P-12 informs how we prioritize inclusion in our workplaces, in our communities. It's not enough to just hire additional bodies to enter a school. EPAs aren't babysitters.
EPAs provide an essential support to disabled students. This is where kids with invisible disabilities suffer - there is a sentiment that they should "get it together". They are navigating an environment that puts them in extreme sensory overload, EPAs serve as essential guides.
It's a specialized role and should be treated as such. One idea would be to see training for EPAs at the NSCC level - prepare our EPAs as we prepare our ECEs, so graduates have the skills and confidence they need before they walk in a classroom. Also please PAY THEM ACCORDINGLY.
The inclusion conversation has hinged greatly on students with disabilities, but we need to increase our attention and action on dismantling systematic racism that is running unchecked throughout our schools.
Lastly, it's not only that families are waiting years to access an Autism diagnosis for their child. It's not ok that they are paying thousands to access this assessment privately. You can't provide a student what they need if you don't know what their needs are.
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