Special education costs in New Zealand: What are direct family members paying?

In November 2015, 469 submissions posted to a select committee inquiry into identification and support for students with the significant challenges of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders in primary and secondary schools were downloaded. This article includes comments selected from a group of submissions from 141 direct family members of children with special educational needs (SEN). These highlight the financial costs borne by some families as they support the educational future of their child with SEN. Narratives suggest that these costs can be considerable and ongoing. Further research into how requirements of children with SEN might best be managed within possible alternative funding models is recommended.