When does it end?

Some may remember my previous posts about school discrimination relating to exclusion from school trip. Since then my HFA son has been temporarily excluded for hitting a student after the student physically threatened my son for 10 mins over a seating dispute for which my son was supposed to have had a reasonable adjustment in place. My sons Support simply observed rather than intervene. After more meetings with school and LEA than I care to remember both issues are being heard at tribunal in September. 

Talks are ongoing regarding the support he receives. My sons  place in the 'specialised' unit and support teachers in his mainstream lessons. My son spends majority of the time In mainstream but the unit is a base. For a long time my son has hated 'being in the unit' he feels stigmatized (his 15) and feels that and the support in lessons are of no benefit and antagonise him. I fail to see what benefit they provide. I never get an answer regarding what they actually do and evidence that they don't intervene when his clearly distressed. 

I and he want to reject all support. I feel outcome will be the same because current support of no benefit. Recent meeting suggested support provided by school not LEA and suggested applying for statement to have clear guidance of what support will actually be provided. This sounds good in theory. Problem is because of my sons experiences of support he will not consent to discussion of or of having any support. Statement process also advise requirement of medical which will be obvious to do with his Aspergers and he will not consent. 

If I reject support and his totally mainstream he may be excluded. Why? Because they fail to implement a culture of inclusivity and fail to tackle discriminatory language which is a big trigger for my son. I considered moving him but he'll be starting his final year and any other school massive change and require public transport. Bee

I want to do best for my son and his education. Another meeting scheduled next week. Me, school and LEA fed up of each other. 

End of term trip in couple of weeks, one he would of love. His been told he can't go. Will be informing the school and LEA that he won't be going in that day or the next as will take him away myself. They can fine me, prosecute me I don't care. His not sitting in school again while his mates are at a theme park. 

If you got this far thank you for reading. My question is when will the ignorance end??!! My son is a human being who wants to be given the same chance as others and it breaks my heart when his not. Any suggestions that will get us both through this final year would be much appreciated x

Parents
  • I'm not a parent, but sympathise. It sounds like a mainstream school with a special needs unit is appropriate, but you've got a few different problems there:
    (a) the discrimination from students from being associated with the unit, which shouldn't happen, so that's something for the school to sort out with training and their 'inclusivity' practice;
    (b) discrimination from staff around out-of-school activities, which may be to do with whoever normally provides the support(?);
    (c) no clarity over what the support actually is or how it relates to what your son needs.

    I think it would be good if everyone can agree how the seating dispute could have been resolved in a way that suited your son. If the EHCP is offered, you might want to pursue it as something that is outside the staff and system you've been working with so far.

    I think we're making progress, autistic people and parents alike, but it's slow.  Good luck.

Reply
  • I'm not a parent, but sympathise. It sounds like a mainstream school with a special needs unit is appropriate, but you've got a few different problems there:
    (a) the discrimination from students from being associated with the unit, which shouldn't happen, so that's something for the school to sort out with training and their 'inclusivity' practice;
    (b) discrimination from staff around out-of-school activities, which may be to do with whoever normally provides the support(?);
    (c) no clarity over what the support actually is or how it relates to what your son needs.

    I think it would be good if everyone can agree how the seating dispute could have been resolved in a way that suited your son. If the EHCP is offered, you might want to pursue it as something that is outside the staff and system you've been working with so far.

    I think we're making progress, autistic people and parents alike, but it's slow.  Good luck.

Children
    • Thank you Cassandro for your reply. You summed up excellently the issues there. 

    The school has had me in tears again today. Couple of weeks is work experience and involves trip to theme park his already been excluded from - no reason given now the tour round the college apparently he may be excluded from too. It's utter ignorance and discrimination in its most transparent form. Pure heartbreaking. Plan of action is if they confirm his unable to participate then I shall withdraw him for the week and I'm trying to arrange some work experience and shall take him to another themepark myself.

    I have no words for the injustice shown to my son. I feel they have used his diagnosis to stigmatize and discriminate against him. Sorry for rant just struggling with my emotions right now x