Edward's* school trip

Edward was really excited about the week-long adventure holiday with his school, and had been chatting with friends about who would share his dormitory. But the head teacher at his state primary called in his mother Pat and said several parents didn’t want their child to share a room with her son, who has Asperger’s syndrome.

“He’d had a fantastic year at school, and there were no issues, no problems,” says Pat.

“The other children adore him; he always has a laugh and a joke.”

The head said Edward could not go on the trip unless a parent accompanied him. “We felt railroaded. Why should he be segregated?” Pat was ill, and her husband was unable to take time off work, so they could not agree to this.

The family contacted IPSEA, who suggested they put their case to the school in writing. “We tried to be diplomatic,” says Pat. “IPSEA listened to us, advised on how to write letters, gave sound advice on what our rights were, and were really helpful. We took away an example letter and adapted it ourselves. It got results!” Edward was allowed to join the trip, and had “a tremendous time”, says Pat.

* Names have been changed