"The Failure Syndrome"

Over the years I have met with a number of children with what we call "disorders" - dsylexia, ADHD, Motor Difficulties, Audio & Visual Processing, Speech/Language - the list in endless. But the hardest of all to overcome has been what we could call, `The Failure Syndrome'. It doesn't have any fancy name, and therefore not a lot of support is given for it - but it is probably the worst `disability' of all. Why? Because it can prevent any child or anyone from reaching their full potential.

You can teach a child to read, yiu can find strategies to help children with Visual, Audio and Learning Difficulties; but to overcome this `failure syndrome' takes PATIENCE, and it is so easy to give up. When you do that we discover what professional calls: `The Troubled Learner'.

Now, I wish I was one of those people who could say I had problems as a child and have since overcome them, but my `failure syndrome' didn't set in till Year 12. Like many `high achievers', I loved school and I loved learning - but then it came to Year 11/12 - and suddenly I discovered if I didn't have what it takes to pass exams I could fail. That's exactly what happened. I FAILED!! And, it was downhill from there.

Oh, I still loved learning and I still wanted to learn, but nobody wanted a failure. I wanted to go to become a Teacher - but the Teacher's College wouldn't accept me. Ever since I became a Christian as a child, I had wanted to go to Bible College - but they didn't want me either. For nearly 20 years I went through the downward spiral of depression.

Why am I telling you this? Well, because I believe this is what has made me the teacher I am today. Oh, I don't recommend you go through what I have; but I do recommend that when you see a child struggling with learning, you remember that `All children are gifted. Some just open their package sooner than others.' Whatever you do, look first at what your `children' CAN DO - then go from their.

In 1996, I entered Griffith University and in 2000, when everyone was celebrating the new millenium - I was celebrating my graduation, my first job as a teacher. My `package' had opened. In the last 9 years as a Special Needs/Learning Support teacher I had helped some children and young people overcome their `failure syndrome'. Oh, they're not all successes, as we might see success, but when I see them I usually see a smile. Terry is the Manager of a Property up in North Queensland (he always loved working in the garden). Eileen is hoping to get into College - to get a Degree in Counselling, so she can help children who have been sexally abused, like herself. Then there are those that just stop me in the street - I have to confess, I can't even remember their names, or recall their faces - but they say: "Thanks Mrs C - I have a job at McDonalds", "Thanks Mrc C - I got that scholarship into the Christian College", "Thanks
Mrs C - for taking the time to care."

But unfortunately, it is those I haven't been able to help, that recently have made the difference in my life, and caused me to feel I've `failed' again. To lead me to the scary desire `to give up'. I am not going to tell you their stories, it's not my place - but if you are a teacher who is feeling a little disalusioned - my recommendation: take `TIME OUT', before it's too late and you become a `Troubled Learner' and decide to give up.

`Failure Syndrome' can be a killer (literally). It can debilitate you, disrupting academic performance, job performance, family life and more than often can lead to suicide. Watch out for these in students, or in yourself:

*Persistant sadness and withdrawal.
*Inability to experience pleasure.
*`I'm stupid', `I'm worthless'.
*Loss of interest in favourite things.
*Fatigue, indecision, loss of energy.
*Excessive guilt.
*Changes in sleep habits.

The list goes on, but basically - you are numb, apathetic, anxious, disconnected and the worst of all, uncaring.

What do you do? I am not a medical professional - I am speaking only from experience - but all I can say is `SEEK HELP'. Guess what? The school is there to help YOU and your `children'. If set up properly there are Guidance Officers, School Chaplains and other Mental Health Professionals you can be referred to.

As a teacher, there are a lot of challenges ahead for you, but there is a lot you can do to contribute to a child's success - "You've got your work cut out for you, you need to get all the help you can, but most of all, EXPECT POSITIVE RESULTS - maybe not tomorrow, maybe not in a few weeks, but `over the long haul', you'll see them.

To finish off, I want to tell you about a child I met just a few months ago. He was only 6 years old, fortunately I hope, not ready to fall into the `failure syndrome' mode. When he came to my class - my first classroom of 20 children, rather than just 5, he was having troubles with toiletry, with behaviour and with learning. What could I do? I had 19 other children who needed me too.
We'll call him Mike. I discovered Mike loved to draw and write. Oh, most of the time it was just scribble, but by the end of Term 2 Mike was copying off the board with his `best handwriting', he was drawing pictures you can actually name (bet they're on Mum's fridge), and he was colouring inbetween the lines.

When I share this story with other people, they think I am crazy. So what!! I'll tell you what, this little boy is just that little bit further away from `Failure Syndrome', and although because of my ill-health I am unable to be part of his development, I just pray and hope that someone out there will be. Thanks Mike!! You have just kept me from `Failure Syndrome' too!!