[jent]

HI
We are a family of five; a teacher, farmer(Agric honours degree) and three kids. One of our twins had early health problem which have left her 'globally developmentally delayed. Altho' she is not on any meds, she is at a special ed school here in SA. She has very little functional speech and uses Makaton signing and PECS communication. Altho' 10 she has a cognitive level of about 4. She can dress herself, toilet herself and eat by herself. We have family in Aukland and so we qualify under the skilled migrant category.
But will they take us. It is really no longer safe for my children here and my daughter's future, at best, is precarious. The disabled are not valued here and are treated poorly. There have been horror stories about abuse of children and adults like our little girl that give us sleepless nights. I am almost inclined to play the 'assylum' card. We just want our kids to have a safe life.

Anyone?!

Regards

jent

[migratory birds]

Only a guess here but I think the only reason they would deny would be if they felt she would put an excessive burden on the healthcare system...but perhaps others have personal experience. It seems they're very welcoming and looking more at what the primary applicants can contribute the betterment of NZ than expecting all of us to fit narrow physical perimetres.

[jent]

That sounds like what I want to hear!! I would love to know what the education budget is for each normal child and then to compare a kid like mine who needs a teacher and speech therapist and not much more!! She doesn't need any sport coaches, or university education, so how much more could she cost. OK I get that when we're not around anymore(cheerful aren't I!!) the she would cost the state or her siblings!!( not a cheery thought.)
Does anyone know what happened to Lesly from Belgium with her son who was special needs?

Regards
Jent

[Lesly]

Hi Jent!

Did you get my email on Sunday? I'm just worried because I didn't receive a read receipt. If you like I can copy paste my email on the forum or try to send it to you again. It wouldn't be the first time my emails don't reach their destination.

Thanks!
Lesly.

[jent]

Hi Lesly

You are a saint!!! Sorry I didn't reply. Jo has been ill and we had a BIG assessment today to get her into a great special needs school here in Cape Town, only to find out that the two week observation period they insist on can only happen in 9 months time!!!! I hope that our immigration plans will be a long way along by then. I admire you so much for your fighting spirit. I too have that in me but need to recharge my battery as I have been fighting for this kid for 10 years!! As if it isn't hard enough anyway. Sorry if I sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself. After reading your email, I spent the morning scratching through all my medical records for her. I must say that I am so much more optimistic after reading your story and intend to put up the biggest battle to make this happen. The agent we ar intending using has apparently dealt with one or two of these kind of cases before. It would seem that we (Pete and I) could both find jobs as we both fall within the skills shortage category.
Please tell Brent, Josie would love to be his friend. She going to need friends in a new place.
Altho' she has cognitive deficits, there are a few expenses that you mention that the NZ govt fund Brent, that Josie would not require.
Thanks again for your wonderful letter and advice. I promise to keep you informed of our progress.
Love
Jen

[rjloftus]

Hi Lesly and Jent,

I read your post's with interest as we have a son age 11 with special ed needs, in a UK speacial school (no medical needs) and from what I have read on the NZ Immigration site, we would probably require a medical waiver. This is because he has a statement of special educational needs, which is equivalent to ORRS funding, and anyone who is likely to require ORRS funding is not considered to be in 'acceptable health' Here is the link, but I have pasted the relevant sections.here (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/nzis/operations_manual/index.htm)

Applicants for residence are considered to have an acceptable standard of health if they are:
unlikely to be a danger to public health; and
unlikely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand's health services or special education services; and
(unless the applicant is sponsored for residence by a person who holds refugee status in New Zealand) able to undertake the work on the basis of which they are applying for a visa or permit, or which is a requirement for the issue or grant of the visa or permit.

A4.10.5 Assessment of whether an applicant for residence is unlikely to impose significant costs on New Zealand's special education services

The requirement that an applicant for residence must be unlikely to impose significant costs on New Zealand's special education services is not met if the Ministry of Education (MoE) has determined that there is a relatively high probability that the applicant's physical, intellectual, sensory or behavioural condition or group of conditions would entitle them to Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS) funding.


Is the word significant the get out clause?
We feel a bit 'doom and gloom' about having to obtain a medical waiver, and not totally sure whaty it would require, although having further assessments and reports done on our son I am sure would be inevitable. If you have any further advice, I would love to hear from you (PM if you wish) and I'll explain our complicated story!

Sue

[Lesly]

Hi Sue and Jent,

I hope Jo is feeling better Jen.

Sue, our son was in a special needs school in Belgium as well, but the funny thing is that nobody (not the doctors or not NZIS) ever asked about the kind of education he received in Belgium. The school systems Belgium-NZ also wouldn't be comparable because my Brent would have never gotten into a mainstream school in Belgium, he was in a special needs school because we had no other choice while here in NZ he wouldn't even be allowed to enrol into a special needs school because he is not ORRS funded. Doesn't make sense does it? Anyway, my point is that a child that receives special needs education in one country, isn't necessarily eligible for Special Needs Ed in NZ so I guess it is up to NZ to decide whether your child would fit in Special Needs Ed or Mainstream Schooling.

I do remember that after we got our PR, the health regulations were going to change (somewhere around April 05) but then I heard that the changes had been postponed so I don't know if the changes have actually occurred at later stage and if yes, what they exactly are, I haven't followed up on it anymore because we had our PR.

I am absolutely convinced though that it really makes a difference what skills you will bring into the country, NZ is desperate for skilled workers. So Jen, since you and Pete both fit into the skills shortage category, I really believe your chances are very good.

All in all, I had the feeling that NZIS tried to make it seem much harder than it actually was.

Cheers!
Lesly

[Greg SA]

Hi Sue,

I know what you're going through.
We have submitted our Visa/WP applications. I've received a job offer in Auckland as a Senior Engineer. I've applied on a Talent Visa, because of the skills shortage. NZ is facing their worst Skills Shortage in 30 years.
I have a little boy with Asperger, he is currently in a remedial school here in SA. The rest of the family has been approved, but we wait on my little boys student visa. They have noted he's condition and have requested that we submit OT, Speech therapy, medical and school reports. This was sent to Wellington for assessment. He receive OT & Speech therapy as part of he's curriculum and and additional 1/2 hour a week of OT.
We just hope he gets approved or we'll have to go for the medical waiver.

All the best. And if you don't try you'll never know what will be the out come.

Cheers

[rjloftus]

Hi Greg,

Sorry for taking so long to reply - holiday time here! Thanks for that - I guess we are in the same boat, although you are obviously further along the process than us. I am sure you will let us know how it goes. Good luck!

Sue

[aggelon]

When we applied they were only concerned if my daughter was going to be a burden on the health service. There was no problem with the fact that she would need ORRS funding.

[Greg SA]

Hi,
The education board in Wellington has accepted him, as not needing special education (ORRS). We are just waiting for the Medical accessor in London? I gather it's just for he's pills, Risperdal which he takes every night.
Does OT & Speech Therapy fall under ORRS or Medical?
Cheers

[jent]

Hi Greg
I'm not sure about the ORRS and what it covers. I know that many of the school have resident OT and speech therapists who work with your child during the school day. I think you may have to find that out when you get there and your son starts school. They may have to see him for themselves to see what he needs.
Otherwise, try to get in touch with Lesly on this forum. I seem to remember that she has dealt with this.
I am thrilled for you that all seems to be moving along so well. Your case has given me more hope altho' our little girl is far weaker intellectually.
I did ABA with my daughter for 2 years! We were on a farm and I had to do it myself. It was worth it but nearly broke her and me!! You seem to have done all the right things. Well done! You and your wife are stars.

Regards
Jen

[incredible hulse]

Hi,
The education board in Wellington has accepted him, as not needing special education (ORRS). We are just waiting for the Medical accessor in London? I gather it's just for he's pills, Risperdal which he takes every night.
Does OT & Speech Therapy fall under ORRS or Medical?
Cheers

Speech Therapy is not dependent on ORRS funding but I believe fits under the special education umbrella. We get ST but currently battling for ORRS funding (massively underfunded) for our son

[rjloftus]

Greg,

Really pleased to hear your good news - fingers crossed for the next bit!

Jent,

I agree with you, this has given me hope for our case - let us know how you go with yours.

Take care

Sue

[leanne edwards]

When we applied they were only concerned if my daughter was going to be a burden on the health service. There was no problem with the fact that she would need ORRS funding.


Hi I have sent of for pr and I am waiting to see if I need a medical waivier for my son. How quickly did you hear back about your daughter and do you mind me asking what she needed extra help for?

I find the waiting to hear the hardest part.

cheers Leanne

[leanne edwards]

Hi,
The education board in Wellington has accepted him, as not needing special education (ORRS). We are just waiting for the Medical accessor in London? I gather it's just for he's pills, Risperdal which he takes every night.
Does OT & Speech Therapy fall under ORRS or Medical?
Cheers

Hi Greg

I have a son with Aspergers too, he also takes medcation daily, Does your son have help in school in SA? My son has 9 hour of extra support but he is in mainstream school here in the uk. How long has all the paper work taken from putting in your ITA?


Look forward to hearing from you

Leanne

[Greg SA]

Hi Leanne

It took about 6 weeks before we got our approval. They have issued all our visas without requiring a medical waiver. My son is in a remedial school here, but will be attending a mainstream school in NZ. We have very little to no support for Austism Spectrum children in SA. The government has much bigger problem like aids to worry about here.

Cheers
Greg

[leanne edwards]

Hi Leanne

It took about 6 weeks before we got our approval. They have issued all our visas without requiring a medical waiver. My son is in a remedial school here, but will be attending a mainstream school in NZ. We have very little to no support for Austism Spectrum children in SA. The government has much bigger problem like aids to worry about here.

Cheers
Greg

Hi Greg

Congratulation, you must be so pleased!

It has given me alot of hope, as my son has Aspergers and is currently in mainstream school with only 9 hour a week help.
We put in our pr in on the 22 august, so keeping fingers crossed.

You might want to get in touch with the Autism New Zealand they have been very helpful.

www.autismnz.org.nz


Good Luck

Leanne

[leanne edwards]

Hieveryone

I have a son with Aspergers and ADHD who has 9 hours of support a week in his mainstream school, will this effect my chance's of getting PR.

Look forwards to hearing from you

Leanne

[andreamatt]

Hi Leanne

Good luck with your emigration journey. Where in NZ are you planning to settle?

I strongly now believe that my son William 9 has aspergers - seems to have taken a move halfway across the world and 6 very confusing weeks (for him - my daughter's settled in well) in a lovely NZ school for the penny to drop with me. Will be making contact with our nearest support group (Johnsonville) this week and go from there - wish us luck!

I'm quite sure you'll get PR without any problem.

Andrea