Sask. mother elated that son with autism, ADHD and ODD to be allowed back to school full-time after 5 years

A Saskatchewan mother, Chelsea Vansickle, is overjoyed and relieved that her son, Aaiden, will finally be able to attend school full-time after a five-year battle for inclusion. Aaiden, who is 13 years old and has autism, ADHD, and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), attends Eston Composite School in the Sun West School Division, located about 180 kilometers southwest of Saskatoon.

Chelsea shared that in 2019, the school determined that Aaiden’s disabilities made it challenging to include him in various activities. As a result, he had been experiencing a mix of homeschooling, half-days, and distance learning. Even when he was allowed to attend in person, he was often excluded from physical education, recess, and field trips.

Despite reaching out to the Sun West School Division for comment on Aaiden’s situation, Chelsea did not receive a response. However, she was pleasantly surprised when the vice principal contacted her to inform her that Aaiden would be permitted to return to school full-time starting on January 6th.

Chelsea expressed her shock and disbelief at the news, stating that she couldn’t believe it was finally happening. She emphasized that Aaiden is excited to resume full days of school and enjoy a typical 13-year-old boy’s experiences. It has been a lengthy and challenging process for Chelsea and her family, but she is grateful that they persevered and did not give up advocating for Aaiden’s rights.

Aaiden, who has always been intelligent and a quick learner, faced behavioral challenges at school. The school required a psychiatric evaluation before allowing him to attend full-time, but due to lengthy wait-lists and COVID-19 delays, the evaluation process took over three years. Despite receiving medical clearance for full-day attendance, Aaiden’s access to school remained limited, requiring him to go home early every day.

Chelsea had to quit her job to support Aaiden, and she now runs a business with her husband. She frequently has to put work on hold to accommodate Aaiden’s needs. The impact of Aaiden’s exclusion from school has also affected his sister, who sometimes refrains from socializing with friends to support her family.

Christina Martens-Funk, CEO of Inclusion Saskatchewan, highlighted that many families of neurodivergent children in the province face similar challenges. She emphasized the importance of accommodating students with disabilities in schools to improve learning outcomes for all students. Martens-Funk called for increased investment in classroom supports to benefit every student.

Chelsea hopes to see schools and educators become more aware of neurodiversity and how to effectively interact with children on the spectrum. She stressed the need for schools to make efforts to accommodate students with learning disabilities rather than resorting to exclusion. Chelsea’s perseverance and dedication to advocating for Aaiden’s rights serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of fighting for inclusivity and support for all students.