Published on 12, July, 2020
This is rather personal but i am hoping to get some advice. I am currently undergoing a child arrangements order so i can see my non verbal Autistic daughter. The consultant who diagnosed her is suggesting that because i live in Manchester and my daugher lives in Hereford that she can travel providing she is shown photos of where she will be staying. The problem with this is she doesnt like to interact with people especialy if you are trying to show her something no matter how eye catching the photos are. trying to convince the courts that every child is different and the best approach would be to let the parent reach an educated decision on whats best for her is becoming so difficult please help.
The consultant can only speculate about how your daughter might react. He is probably saying that it is reasonable for you to try taking her to Manchester and it is reasonable to use photos or other pictures to help her understand what is happening and to be involved in the decisions about what happens to her. The courts probably shouldn't specify details like this but could say, for example, "she may be taken to Manchester to stay with Father if the travelling does not cause undue distress, all reasonable measures should be taken to facilitate this". Your rights to see your daughter do not supercede her rights to avoid distress.