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Darren Chester raises concerns over gaps, inconsistencies in autism education after meeting worried local motherDarren Chester raised concerns about gaps in autism education after meeting Metung mother Lily Martyn, whose son George may miss specialist school due to strict IQ-based eligibility criteria. By news@gippsland - 9th April 2026 - Back to News Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has highlighted growing concerns about gaps and inconsistencies in the education system for children with autism, following a meeting with a local mother worried her son may be left without a suitable schooling option. Mr Chester met with Metung mother Lily Martyn to discuss the future education needs of her youngest son, George, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3. 
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with Metung mother of three Lily Martyn who is campaigning for changes to the current education system to support children with autism like her son, George Eligibility criteria concernsGeorge, who turns five in August, is due to start school next year. He is non-verbal, has significant sensory needs and requires a high level of support in communication and daily functioning. Despite these needs, Lily is concerned her son may not qualify for a specialist school position under current State Government eligibility criteria, which require a student to have an IQ of 70 or below. "The current criteria reduces my son's future to a single number, and that number doesn't begin to capture who George is or what he needs. George is non-verbal, he's not yet toilet trained, and he requires a high level of support in almost every area of daily functioning, but he could quite possibly score above the IQ threshold and be turned away from the one environment that could actually give him what he needs." "What makes it harder is that families don't even find out where their child sits until Term 3 of the year before school starts. I can't plan for George's future, I can't prepare him, I can't fight for him, because the system won't give me an answer until it's almost too late to act on it," Lily said. Mainstream not suitableThat leaves mainstream schooling as the only alternative, an option Lily has serious reservations about and does not believe would meet her son's needs. "I want more than anything for George to have a childhood where he gets to be himself and grow into who he's meant to be, but putting him in a mainstream classroom right now wouldn't give him that; it would overwhelm him." "He communicates differently, he experiences the world differently, and he needs an environment that is built around those differences, not one where he has to fight against them every single day just to get through. Every child deserves to be somewhere they can thrive, not just somewhere they're placed because there is nowhere else to put them. That's all I'm asking for George," Lily said. System failing childrenMr Chester said the situation raises serious questions about whether the current system, which has a mix of state and federal government responsibilities, is meeting the needs of all children. "George and Lily's situation highlights a problem in the system where children with complex needs may not end up in the best place for them to thrive." "The family receives some support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and George's needs are well recognised, but he may end up in a mainstream school, which is not the best outcome. The system should be more flexible and based on a broader understanding of a child's functional needs and the advice of family members regarding the level of support they require, not just a single test score." "This is not an isolated case. After publicly sharing her concerns, Lily has been contacted by other families in East Gippsland facing similar challenges, which suggests this is a broader issue in our community," Mr Chester said. The situation also highlights the limited range of education options available in regional areas, where families often have fewer specialist services compared to metropolitan centres. 
Four-year-old George Martyn, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3, alongside his older brothers Harry and Ollie Flexible education optionsMr Chester said there may be merit in exploring alternative models, including specialist autism streams or pilot programs to better support children who fall outside current eligibility settings. "We need to ensure every child has access to an education environment that supports their development and gives them the best chance to succeed. No family should be left without an appropriate pathway for their child," he said. Mr Chester said he would write to the responsible Ministers and continue to work with his state colleagues to advocate for flexible education options for children with additional needs across Gippsland. Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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