Maddie’s Story
Maddie is 14 years old, and a Year 9 secondary student at St Gabriel’s.
“Maddie likes trying new things, going to museums, the aquarium and getting out and about and seeing things.”
“Maddie is 14 years old and loves music, dancing and being with people,” explains her mum Melissa. “She loves animals and has a great sense of humour. Like any other teenager, she loves technology. She's the eldest of three children in her family and has two younger brothers.”
“Her diagnosis is Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mild intellectual disability, a language delay and ADHD,” says Melissa. “It’s the ADHD that creates more problems than anything else, but the main reason she is at St Gabriel’s is because of her Autism and intellectual disability diagnosis.”
“Like anybody with an intellectual disability, she needs a bit more help understanding things and learning how to do the tasks," she explains. “With her language delay, it’s not about her speech, it’s about her ability to process the information that has been given to her,” explains Melissa. “She can often get overwhelmed if it’s too much information or is too confusing. Making sure that people talk to her and deliver instructions in a way that she can understand and execute is important.”
“So much of Maddie is a complex mix of opposites. For instance, she loves to engage with people, but then also struggles socially and sometimes doesn’t understand the correct way to behave with people.”
“Maddie is impulsive and that can cause issues, so it can put her in dangerous situations. She doesn’t understand the danger in the wider community, and we need to protect her, but at the same time we need to ensure that Maddie will be an independent adult to the best of her ability,” adds Melissa. “Maddie is quite clever in her own way, but it’s harnessing that into a positive outlet. St Gabriel’s does this with things like Gabe’s Give Back, school choir, interactive learning experiences and her work experience program.”
“We were very concerned about high school and finding the right fit for Maddie.”
“It was so incredibly important that we find the right school setting,” explains Melissa. “We loved her previous school, but they only went to Year 6 and we were very concerned about high school.”
“St Gabriel’s was the right choice for her. She’s been at the school for three years now and will be until Year 12. I am extremely happy with everything they are doing. The teachers’ dedication and their willingness to be adaptable and work towards individual students’ needs and strengths is to be applauded. I think that’s what makes Gabe’s a fantastic school environment compared to any other school in the area. Then there’s all the other programs they have been putting in place to give our students a similar experience to what their peers have in mainstream schools.”
“My hope for Maddie is for her to live as independently as she can.”
“I want her to have strong friendships, I want her to have work that makes her feel valued. I want her to be proud of herself in terms of her ability to be independent. That’s what I want for Maddie.”
“I believe she will get there in the end and the important thing is everyone working together to help her achieve that,” adds Melissa. “She’ll always need supports around her, but my aim between now and when Maddie leaves school is to make her as independent as possible, between school, family, NDIS workers – working together. The programs and education at St Gabriel’s focuses on this too.”
“I feel excited about where St Gabriel’s is headed.”
“The new buildings and facilities that are finishing this year provide so many opportunities for the students,” says Melissa. “The building works that have gone on only goes to show what these types of fundraising appeals can do.
And I just hope that donations can continue to support and grow the school to be the best that it can be for all the coming generations.”
“From my perspective, I see myself always wanting to be involved in the St Gabriel’s community in any capacity that is suitable and that can help, even after Maddie has left school. As an opportunity for me to give back to a school that has done and continues to do amazing things for my daughter.”
