EA removed refers to situations where an Education Assistant (EA) who was supporting a student is withdrawn or reassigned, often after the student begins to stabilise or show improvement. In many cases, the supports provided by the EA—such as help with regulation, communication, transitions, or access to learning—are the very factors that made the improvement possible.When support is removed too quickly, students may lose the structure or assistance that allowed them to participate successfully in school. This can lead to renewed distress, academic difficulty, or behavioural challenges, which may then be interpreted as a new problem rather than a predictable result of losing support. These decisions are sometimes influenced by a belief that students should receive the minimum support necessary and should become “independent” as quickly as possible. While building independence is an important goal, it is most effective when supports are reduced gradually and when the student has developed the skills and stability needed to maintain progress without experiencing distress. Removing an EA simply because a student appears to be coping can unintentionally remove the conditions that made coping possible. Effective planning focuses on maintaining access and stability while supporting meaningful independence over time.