An Annapolis Valley resident is advocating for increased support for inclusivity in Nova Scotia’s pre-primary program following an incident where her five-year-old autistic son wandered away from his school and was missing for about 30 minutes, prompting a frantic search.
Reagan Antoine shared that her son, Micheal, managed to leave unnoticed during outdoor playtime and ended up entering a nearby forest and wading into a stream behind the school, causing his pantlegs to become wet. She expressed her initial panic and fear, believing she had lost her son during the ordeal.
The incident occurred at Cambridge and District Elementary School in Cambridge, N.S., last Wednesday, while Micheal was playing with other students under the supervision of early childhood educators. When school staff realized he was missing, they promptly initiated a search and involved the local police for assistance.
Upon receiving the distressing call from the school about Micheal’s disappearance, Antoine rushed to join the search effort. Eventually, a teacher located Micheal unharmed and content sitting on a rock in the wooded area. The relieved mother recounted her son’s lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation, as he simply followed the teacher, mistaking the situation for lunchtime.
Following the incident, Antoine decided to keep Micheal at home from school until she feels assured of his safety. During a subsequent meeting with school officials, it was agreed that an early childhood educator would specifically monitor Micheal during outdoor activities. Additionally, plans were made to mark trees to prevent children from venturing too far and to provide educational lessons on group safety and staying put if lost.
Antoine expressed gratitude for the additional safety measures but emphasized the need for systemic changes to better support children requiring assistance in pre-primary, advocating for one-on-one support starting at an earlier stage. She highlighted the importance of recognizing disabilities from an early age and providing necessary aid.
The Education Department, responsible for overseeing the pre-primary program, did not grant an interview but mentioned the possibility of bringing in extra staff for classes with complex needs and implementing enhanced supervision and safety measures as required.
In response to the incident, the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education stated they were reviewing operational and physical aspects to prevent similar occurrences. They emphasized immediate action by staff and regular communication with parents regarding any special needs or concerns.
Antoine stressed the importance of proactive support for children with additional needs, stating that it should not take a crisis to prompt necessary changes. She emphasized the potential risks faced by vulnerable children and urged for a more supportive environment for all students.
The incident has sparked discussions on the need for enhanced support and safety measures in educational settings, particularly for children with diverse needs, to ensure their well-being and prevent such incidents from reoccurring.