Parents of young pupils living with autism share their fears

The “one-size-fits-all” approach to reopening schools has had a “detrimental impact” on children with additional support needs, according to parents.

Education Secretary John Swinney has told MSPS local authorities will develop transition plans for autistic children.

However, many children across Tayside and Fife are anxious about changes as many schools are yet to set out concrete plans.

There are approximately 6,500 autistic children in Scotland and more than 1,000 receiving support across Tayside and Fife.

After months away from school, seven-year-old Angus Sutton is nervous about transitioning into P4 at Pitlochry High School.

His mother Ruth said she is pleased Mr Swinney has addressed challenges for children with additional support needs.

Teachers at Pitlochry have checked in regularly with Angus throughout lockdown and Ruth said she had been reassured they are developing transition plans.

She said: “It’s been tough with conflicting information we’ve been given.

“We foolishly told him he was going back part-time and then it was changed to full-time, so now we haven’t told him anything new until we know for sure.

“He finds transitions very difficult, so normally getting him out of the house to school is very tough.”

Angus might struggle with small changes, such as seating plans and school meals, Ruth added.

One Fife mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she feared her eight-year-old son will have suffered major setbacks as he struggled to adapt to home-learning.

She said Mr Swinney’s announcement was “passing the buck” as schools have very little time to put plans in place.

”Some kids were able to go in and meet their new teachers before the holidays, but we’ve not had anything at all.

“These plans should have been developed before the summer.

“I just want decision-makers to understand that one-size-fits-all planning doesn’t work for every child.”

Taylor Thomas, seven, from Perth, will be going into P3 at Tulloch Primary School and has provision support classes half of the school week alongside mainstream classes.

He has been able to meet his new teachers before the summer holidays.

His mother Gemma said she is also waiting for concrete plans to be announced before telling Taylor he will be going back to school.

“There’s a part of that worries he might get upset based on what the changes are, so the sooner we know the sooner we’re able to start preparing him,” she said.

“He has been quite afraid of face masks and feels uncomfortable around them to the point where when we’ve been out and wearing them, he hasn’t wanted to hold our hand.

“We worry he might be scared of teachers who have to wear them in school at times, but it’s about preparing them and we’ve been trying to reassure him, which has helped.”

The Scottish Government’s national autism implementation team has developed guidance for schools to support learners and said local authorities should develop their own plans.

The National Autistic Society has called on schools to ensure every learner has a unique transition plan.

Perth Autism Support (PAS) has backed the calls to help children who struggle to adjust, particularly when transitioning into P1 or S1.

Angie Ferguson, chief executive officer for PAS, said: “For every individual young person there will be an individual set of circumstances that needs supported in a different way.

“Whether they’re motivated to go back to school or not, there will be challenges for them and they will need to be supported to do this in the way that’s right for them at a time that is right for them.”