Hoping some of you may be able to advise me here. My 5yo DD has autism, currently in Year 1 of mainstream school with a 1:1 (or a rota of 3 of them). I had a meeting in the middle of July to discuss how Year 1 would go, etc, and one thing we touched upon was my DD having the same freedom as her other peers at break and lunchtimes and being allowed on the "big yard" albeit with a 1:1. It was also stated to me this was to build friendships, independence and have more social interactions the older she gets. Moving along to today, I've found out from my eldest DS and another parent and child that my DD has been segregated alongside either 3 or 4 other ASD children into a smell metal fenced off area (effectively like a cage). I would never have found out about this if it wasn't for the others as my daughter is non verbal. I feel sick to my stomach knowing she's being singled out and treated differently due to her autism. She's supposed to be 1:1 but the TA is supporting 4 or 5 children at any one time which was not our plan. She has an IDP in place and there is nothing in that to suggest she needs to be segregated. It's so discriminating and against her human rights. The headteacher to the other parent has stated it's been done and based on developing social skills - but it's doing the exact opposite and is not beneficial at all. It's just completely singled the children out. I feel like it's opening up the possibility of bullying and I think it's incredibly cruel to lock these children where there are and for them to see their other friends having the freedom just like they should be and I was told she'd have. A few days ago lunchtime was held inside due to the rain so where all the other were playing and watching TV, my DD alongside the other ASD children were taken away to a room of their own for the duration. These provisions have all been changed without any consent according to the disability act and all done without any discussion or communication to parents. I've emailed the ALNCo for a meeting to discuss but that could be days away or even next week. I'm driving myself crazy here so if anyone could offer something that'd be appreciated.