Autistic 7 yr old in a taxi

[saffy1234]

I have previously posted before about my son who is five at the moment and has autism.
He is currently attending a special needs school which is really close to our house which is very lucky and it's only a three minute drive and maximum 10 minute walk however they can only attend to the school until year two which means my son has one more year left after this school year ends . Last night myself and my husband were discussing the next move and it is likely that next year as he enters year two and is seven in the September he will attend a special needs school that is around about a 15 minute drive away it wouldn't be possible to walk it I was suggesting that I would drop my other kids off to school early at breakfast clubs and then drive him to his school after so nobody was late and I can ensure my children are safe. However my husband deems this ridiculous,To put things in perspective I have a large family my husband works and I have children at secondary school children at primary and then my son who can't attend that same primary so goes to a special needs school. My husband is suggesting that my autistic son gets a taxi to school as the local authority to provide them to families and many children at his current school get them (even some of them who are only children with parents who don't work, don't even get me started on that) now I have an issue with this as I have noticed that some of the children who get a taxi to school at the moment are not chaperoned. I rang the local authority to enquire about it to solidify my fears and I was right they are not chaperoned.I don't see any problem with having to stretch my morning routine and start earlier if it ensures my sons safety, at the end of the day my children are my priority but my son is an extra priority as he is vulnerable he is non-verbal. I know it's unlikely but if a child is in a taxi with a stranger that they don't know there is a risk of anything happening and my son would not be able to communicate this with me, my husband however thinks I'm being ridiculous,he says these people are professionals and that nothing would happen to our son. So I guess I'm asking do you think I'm being unreasonable my husband seems to think that I I'm putting autistic sons needs above of the children's needs.

My DS has been transported to his SS by LA commissioned transport (Bus, minibus, taxi) since he was 5. He is now 12 and there has never been any cause for concern. It really is scary at first, waving your small, vulnerable child off with a stranger but you soon get to know the drivers and escorts and you get used to it. Its honestly fine.

Im well aware of that @spanieleyes

No @NeitherNowtNorSummat01 there is not ,i can assure you that everyday i see them and there is one person.

Good lord @TheStruth its not up to him.At no point did i say that.

Thankyou @Parmavioletgin1 x

Ahh @CrazyTownBananaPants you get it totally!The risk for me is not one I will take x

Not here in Gloucestershire @GoldenBlue the usual dbs obviously but no special training!

Hi @jads yes there is a breakfast club.No to the senior school getting the bus it works out very costly

Hi @Feelingwalkedover It may be LA dependant

Yes exactly @ForTheRecord

My thought exactly @Baritriwsahys

Thankyou @empod x

Do you have a child with special needs @spanieleyes

Wait a minute I've just re read so it's not this September it's a year after that. I really wouldn't bother arguing over it, most boroughs are trying to stop transport and putting the onus back on the parents with the introduction of pick up points and multiple hoops to jump through the case for getting school transfer is getting a harder and harder criteria, I certainly wouldn't base anything on it yet as you may not get a transfer at all let alone one with a chaperone so what's the point in fighting over it now just agree to revisit the case in 9 months time.

Yes thats true @HiJenny35 i wouldn't use it anyway i just wondered if i were being unreasonable

My son gets a taxi to school. It's a six seater and there are five kids and one escort.

They're mad not using escorts - lawsuit waiting to happen!!

How many children do you have? Do they mind going to breakfast club? Could your husband do some of the school runs?

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/school-and-college-transport/transport-assistance-for-sen-pupils/

This might help xx

I dare not mention how many children i have or I will fall victim to the judgey brigade ,unfortunately my husband has his own company so is up and out at 6.15.No they don't mind at all they have said

Sorry @hopeishere didn't tag you x

Thanks @Waveysnail i have been in contact but they are vague.I dont have a social worker or anything but i may ask the family worker at his SEN school for some advice.

I’m surprised they’re not chaperoned. My DSD is in a special school and my obersvations are the kids are chaperoned by someone who takes them from the taxi to the school.

My son gets a taxi to and from his special school. It is an hour each way. He has the same driver every day, who is lovely. He doesn't have a chaperone. You can ask for one and argue your case if you feel he needs one.

I think this totally depends on your son. Just because 1 parent may have a child with autism who would be fine in this scenario it does not mean your dc will.

They really aren't @MonkeyTrap both myself and my mother have seen and asked.Its ridiculous

I agree with that statement @jennymanara the condition is so varying