Brava: Mother of child with Down syndrome complains about lack of attention and support from the education system
City of Nova Sintra, September 9, 2024 (Bravanews) - In a complaint that highlights the challenges faced by families of children with special educational needs, a mother expressed her frustration with the lack of support that her son, diagnosed with Down Syndrome, has received in the educational system. Alciolinda, a native of Santo Antão and resident in Brava, said that her son attended school, but the situation reached a critical point, leading her to withdraw him from the institution and keep him at home.
The child, characterized by a high level of energy and restless behavior, faced significant difficulties in the classroom. The time spent at school was reduced to only one and a half hours, and the child frequently fidgeted with his school materials and had episodes of uncontrollable laughter, which resulted in distraction during class. These difficulties were reported by the mother as a major problem, since the educational system failed to provide the necessary support for the child to follow the activities effectively.
Alciolinda points out that, at first, the child had the support of a psychologist, but this support was discontinued, worsening the situation. The lack of specific spaces and resources for children with Down Syndrome in schools was pointed out as one of the main reasons why the mother decided to remove her son from the institution.
In 2022, the mother tried to get the child back into school, but was met with a discouraging report from a teacher who did not demonstrate the necessary willingness to adequately meet the student's needs. This generated a new wave of discouragement, leading her to question the education system's ability to deal with students with special needs.
The mother expressed that the lack of an effective response from the school and the absence of an environment adapted to children with Down syndrome contributed to her decision to keep her son out of school. She believes that creating specific spaces and programs for these children is essential to ensure that they receive adequate support and can reach their full potential.
The situation raises important questions about inclusion and support for children with special needs in the education system, and the urgent need for reforms to ensure that all students receive the attention and resources they need for their development and academic success.
This mother, in a discouraged tone, added to Bravanews that special children should have the opportunity to actively participate in educational and social environments, always paying attention to their limitations, treating those who are different differently. According to her, rules are often established without considering special cases.
"Inclusion should not be just a word, but a daily practice," says Alciolinda. "We want all children, without exception, to be accepted and respected at school and in other social contexts. Limitations should be discussed based on real needs and not on prejudices or preconceived ideas."
The proposal includes a series of measures to improve the situation. These include reviewing school policies to ensure that there are no rules that could limit children’s full participation, creating spaces for dialogue between parents, educators and students to better understand needs and challenges, and implementing awareness-raising programs to promote a culture of inclusion.
“We are calling for a change in attitude,” he says. “If educational institutions cannot adapt to truly support all children, then it is time to rethink those institutions.”
MS
