Inclusion Daily Express -- Parents: Teen Excluded Even From Specialized, Segregated School

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Parents: Teen Excluded Even From Specialized, Segregated School
December 6, 2005

LONDON, ENGLAND--The following three paragraphs are excerpts from a story in a recent edition of the Independent:

William Speed is a large, 15-year-old, severely autistic boy who lashes out when troubled. Both his school and his parents agree that his behaviour is difficult and needs careful handling, but that is all they agree on. After years of dispute, the school has turfed William out, and his parents are taking it to court.

The school says William now needs to go to a residential special school. As a day special school it does not have the resources to cope with him. But his parents believe that moving him from home will make his behaviour deteriorate further. They want him to return to the school he has attended since he was four, and to be given the resources and support to which he is entitled - but which, they say, have not been forthcoming for years.

This is a complicated, lengthy, acrimonious and individual saga, but many parents of children with special needs will recognise its basic elements because, while the current system of special-needs provision gives strong legal rights to children who have a statement of special educational need (the "passport" to getting tailored help and resources), these very often don't translate into practical support.

Entire article:
"An autistic boy's fight against exclusion" (The Independent)
http://education.independent.co.uk/schools/article330381.ece

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