Regular COVID-19 tests adding to parents' challenge to keep vulnerable children with complex needs safe

For Bridget Gorman, like most parents across Victoria, one of the important rituals of going back to school this week has been getting her son, Nik, to take a rapid antigen test. Key points: The state government recommends daily rapid testing for students at specialist schools Parents say while it's a good idea, it's not feasible for all children with disabilities Autism expert Maryanne Pease says oral fluid tests should be prioritised as an alternative The nine-year-old, who has an intellectual disability and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, goes to a specialist school in Central Victoria. A Victorian government spokesperson said the aim was to provide "extra protection for medically vulnerable children", but the tests were not mandatory. Currently, schools supply parents with nasal rapid antigen tests, but Ms Pease said the access to oral fluid tests "needed to be prioritised for parents as an alternative". However, specialist school principals say since the daily rapid testing is just a recommendation for students, they don't expect parents to test children every day.