URGENT - statement review advice due tomorrow 9am

[ManicAnnie]

There is a question on the form as follows:

'If your child is provided with transport by the LEA, please give your comments on how your child may be helped to become more independent in future'

How do I answer this? The LEA obviously want to cut this service and are trying to save themselves some money under the guise of making my autistic 6 yr old who goes to the only ASD unit in our borough - a 40 min drive away from home - 'more independent'.

Any ideas for a short, sharp, killer response? Needed in the next hour or so if possible!

TIA

Sounds like a standard question, not aimed specifically at your 6 year old! Maybe you can say 'he may be capable of independent travel on public transport when his emotional maturity is equivalent to a neuro typical 13? year old, I estimate this will be when he is in his late 20's.' Alter ages to suit!

Actually, N/A is more concise, and more accurate!

Thanks I know it is a standard question, it just makes my blood boil! He is 6 yrs old. Independence is way down our list of priorities. I am just happy that he has had a year at school where he hasn't been excluded/bullied/put on reduced hours! I think I might put N/A for the time being and go into more detail about what i think in the annual review meeting next month!

I would say something like child x is able to put on his seatbelt and remain seated for the duration of the journey. He is learning to travel with other children and adults in the vehichle and this has greatly helped his independence and development.

When he gets his driving license?

Transport has helped his independence by reducing reliance on mum and allowing him to develop and generalise skills of (sitting nicely, using belt, whatever) outside of the family car.