On Friday I presented a speech at Parliament House. My speech was about creating an Autism and Neurodiversity Academy of Excellence to train teachers. I felt nervous and excited. I am so proud of myself.
Presentation and Audio
The Member Saunders, Home School, South Australian Department of Education.
Mr Speaker, I remember a time at school when I was treated like I was intellectually different to the other students because I couldn’t talk. A teacher made me feel terrible and less than because they assumed I didn’t know anything.
A teacher once called me something I am not going to repeat because it caused me so much trauma.
During my time at school I was extremely unhappy and did not want to live anymore. I wanted to die. I was in so much distress and misunderstood. All I wanted was to be included and presumed competent.
I am incredible and I communicate by pointing on a letterboard to spell sentences. I learned to communicate at home, not school.
I am a 15-year-old non-speaking Autistic with ADHD, Apraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Scoliosis and Pectus Carinatum. My life is hard, but it could be easier if my policy idea was adopted for me and other Autistic people.
Mr Speaker, Education is a human right. I missed out but no other Autistic person should.
Did you know Autism is South Australia’s most common primary disability for NDIS participants making up 40 percent of people on the scheme.
I want to make South Australia a better place to live than anywhere else in the world for Autistic people and their allies, and a place where every South Australian benefits.
Mr Speaker, imagine if South Australia established an Autism and Neurodiversity Home or Academy of Excellence guided by Autistic people and people with lived experience.
All teachers and support staff could opt in to the program and choose subjects at the Autism and Neurodiversity Academy of Excellence ... increasing their understanding of strategies and Autistic culture.
Mr Speaker, as an incentive, if education staff completed the study, they could be paid at a higher rate providing better outcomes for all Autistic South Australians to thrive.
The South Australian Government could sell subjects that they offered at the Autism and Neurodiversity Academy of Excellence all over the world to universities, businesses, allied health professionals, support workers, parents, carers, and individuals to pay for the establishment of the academy and teacher bonuses. This would place South Australia at the center of autism education in the world and make it a wonderful place to live, learn and thrive.
Mr Speaker, On Monday I met with the South Australian Education Department. They invited me to present to the 100 Autism Inclusion Teachers in April. I mentioned that I would be presenting today at Teen Parliament and told them my idea. They loved it.
Mr Speaker, Autistic people are inventors, entrepreneurs, creatives, mathematicians and scientists. They are changemakers and help advance society and will help place South Australia on the map as the place to be. But, it's not just about jobs and money, even though we are half as likely to complete year 10 and three times more likely to be unemployed, it is about life skills, friends and community and dreams coming true. The Academy could help autistic people develop access, agency and autonomy in their lives by training teachers to the highest level.
Mr Speaker, when people started to believe in me, my life changed. When people started using strategies that supported me as a whole person, used my interests and neuro-affirming language, the world became more accessible.
By creating opportunities for teachers in line with the South Australian Autism Strategy, we can make South Australia a better place for all. This academy would nurture growth, minds and opportunities, not only for Autistic people, but for all South Australians, making it even better.
Debate Reply and Audio
The Member Saunders, Home School, South Australian Department of Education.
Mr Speaker, I think the proposal to develop an educational driving program in partnership with schools and accredited driving institutions is a good idea. Students would get the opportunity to learn to drive in a controlled and safe environment. I also think students would benefit from learning alongside their peers and it would reduce financial barriers.
Cars, however, are changing. I recently travelled in a driverless car in San Francisco called a Waymo. When you need to go somewhere you use an app on your phone and order a Waymo just like an Uber.
Mr Speaker, I was amazed at the technology and how safe it was for passengers and the other road users. Waymo driverless cars were everywhere.
So I wonder if South Australia should be investing in infrastructure or future technology as well as driver training programs because Mr Speaker, in the future cars will drive themselves.
Introduction to Parliament and Audio
Hello Teen MPs,
My name is Patrick Saunders.
I am going to be sharing my insights and ideas about making South Australia bigger and better today, using an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device to aid my presentation. Some of my thoughts will be played on an ipad and some will be spelled out on a letterboard, read by my communication and regulation partner, who is my dad.
I may move my body differently or make unexpected noises and from time to time I may need to get out of my seat to regulate.
As a nonspeaking autistic I am so proud of myself for always trying my best. Some of you might find some of my content and personal experiences distressing. Sharing them helps people understand the importance of my idea to make South Australia bigger and better.
I hope this helps you understand me a little better. I look forward to hearing your presentations.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing and congratulations. I am a Mum to a 4 year old non-speaking autistic (who is also called Patrick!) and I learn so much from you. Thank you.
Hi Patch, what an awesome achievement to speak at Parliament House. I hope Jan and Jock were in the gallery listening. Even if they weren't, I'm sure they will be really really proud of you! I'm really confident that your speech would have affected your listeners deeply and surely what you said will make people sit up and take notice. I do hope that other non-speaking people will be inspired by your presentation so that they will demand better treatment and better opportunities.