School makes boy, 6 wear a hi-vis vest ... because he’s autistic
Mum says safety measure is disability discrimination
A MUM has accused a school of “discrimination” after her son was given a high-vis vest to identify him as autistic.
Charlie Logan, six, came home in tears after he had to wear the bright yellow bib at break time.
The school’s headteacher said it allowed dinner ladies to quickly identify children in case of a medical emergency.
However, Charlie’s mum Joanne, 42, insisted: “This is discrimination, plain and simple.
“They seem to think the best way to deal with my Charlie is to make it clear he is autistic.”
Joanne added: “It’s disgusting, the school doesn’t know how to treat autistic children.”
Full-time carer Joanne said she learned of the policy at Cherry Lane Primary School in West Drayton, West London, when Charlie came home upset.
The mum of five had been told her son might need a high-vis jacket but claimed the reason was not properly explained.
After a meeting with the school, it was decided Charlie would no longer wear the bib.
Headteacher Steve Whitehouse said of the school’s policy: “The bib is only for medical emergency so that dinner ladies can quickly see the children who need help.”
Mr Whitehouse claimed the decision for Charlie to wear it was made with his mother after he had “problems with other children”.
He added: “We said to the mother, if you do not wish for this to happen, your child does not need to wear it.”
This is discrimination. The school doesn’t know how to treat autistic children JOANNE LOGAN MUM OF SIX-YEAR-OLD PUPIL CHARLIE