Adult son with Asperger's - Can anyone offer advice?

I typed a long reply and lost it. Bother!

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear that your son got so close to the end of the course. It's unfair that he should get so far without anyone raising any concerns and giving him a chance to understand and develop.

I suspect in asking about litigation you, quite understandably, are in a time of shock and anger at what has happened. If talking any legal action (or entering a complaints process), try to be clear and specific about what exactly you are challenging, what outcome you want and whether this is reasonable.

Consider that, as a registered nurse looking after people, your son himself would need to express his professional opinion in a professional manner. I say this because I wonder if you are or he is driving the idea of litigation. In any case, if he is a student member of a nursing union this could be a useful source of support, as they would hopefully have advise relating to the professional aspects (i.e. suitability for registration) as well as the university/academic aspects of the situation.

There are registered nurses who are autistic, and there are some people who would not manage being a registered nurse due to their autism. If a student is not meeting learning outcomes for any reason, this should be raised at the time.

I have no idea what the report from the university states, or whether the report is a diagnostic report, or a report setting out the decision to withdraw him from the course. Presumably, though, this would form the basis of any complaint or legal action. If so, your son could ask for various people to take a critical look at the document e.g. nursing union (if a member), disability advisor of students' union (if a member, as most students are), an autism organisation (if you have a local organisation, or possibly NAS-not sure what they do in this respect, but may, for example, know about the reasonable adjustment angle), a lawyer specialising in equality act/disability discrimination or similar. Legal advice could get very expensive and there are other routes to try as well as or before this point, but try to find out whether there are any legal timescales if relying on the Equality Act (2010).

Ultimately, if your son is not able or not given the opportunity to become a registered nurse, there are still many carrying roles which are not undertaken by registered nurses, and there are many working roles in which someone can use knowledge from a nursing degree (or part thereof - would they at least award something like an HND so he has something to show, or if he has passed all the modules but not got the sign off for "good health and character" might be still get the degree without the eligibility for professional registration?) which does not require registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.* So his hard work has not been for nought - there is a future, there are options  his placements will give experience and therefore examples of where he has taken responsibility and demonstrated various caring skills if he is going for another caring role.

All the best for you and your son, whatever you (he) decide(s) and whatever the outcome.

*Sorry this sentence is poorly constructed. Editing in this mobile browser can be tricky and I daren't try, lest I lose this reply too.

I typed a long reply and lost it. Bother!

First of all, I'm so sorry to hear that your son got so close to the end of the course. It's unfair that he should get so far without anyone raising any concerns and giving him a chance to understand and develop.

I suspect in asking about litigation you, quite understandably, are in a time of shock and anger at what has happened. If talking any legal action (or entering a complaints process), try to be clear and specific about what exactly you are challenging, what outcome you want and whether this is reasonable.

Consider that, as a registered nurse looking after people, your son himself would need to express his professional opinion in a professional manner. I say this because I wonder if you are or he is driving the idea of litigation. In any case, if he is a student member of a nursing union this could be a useful source of support, as they would hopefully have advise relating to the professional aspects (i.e. suitability for registration) as well as the university/academic aspects of the situation.

There are registered nurses who are autistic, and there are some people who would not manage being a registered nurse due to their autism. If a student is not meeting learning outcomes for any reason, this should be raised at the time.

I have no idea what the report from the university states, or whether the report is a diagnostic report, or a report setting out the decision to withdraw him from the course. Presumably, though, this would form the basis of any complaint or legal action. If so, your son could ask for various people to take a critical look at the document e.g. nursing union (if a member), disability advisor of students' union (if a member, as most students are), an autism organisation (if you have a local organisation, or possibly NAS-not sure what they do in this respect, but may, for example, know about the reasonable adjustment angle), a lawyer specialising in equality act/disability discrimination or similar. Legal advice could get very expensive and there are other routes to try as well as or before this point, but try to find out whether there are any legal timescales if relying on the Equality Act (2010).

Ultimately, if your son is not able or not given the opportunity to become a registered nurse, there are still many carrying roles which are not undertaken by registered nurses, and there are many working roles in which someone can use knowledge from a nursing degree (or part thereof - would they at least award something like an HND so he has something to show, or if he has passed all the modules but not got the sign off for "good health and character" might be still get the degree without the eligibility for professional registration?) which does not require registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.* So his hard work has not been for nought - there is a future, there are options  his placements will give experience and therefore examples of where he has taken responsibility and demonstrated various caring skills if he is going for another caring role.

All the best for you and your son, whatever you (he) decide(s) and whatever the outcome.

*Sorry this sentence is poorly constructed. Editing in this mobile browser can be tricky and I daren't try, lest I lose this reply too.