12-21-2004, 08:59 PM
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Autistic boy banned from nativity play
Dec 21 2004
By Jane Tyler
A BOY with special needs was left in tears after he was banned from his school's Christmas party.
While other pupils at Northfield Manor Junior and Infants School enjoyed fun and games at the party, Ryan Lane was at home.
The nine-year-old suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, which means he has behavioural problems.
His mum Jan, from Shenley Fields Road, Weoley Castle, said the school had not told her about the party.
"He was going on about a Christmas party and I asked him what he was talking about," she said.
"I rang the headmaster and asked when it was and whether Ryan could go and was told no, he couldn't." Jan, aged 34, a supervisor for Meals Direct, said she was so shocked she went to the school to see the headmaster. "I told him it wasn't fair on Ryan to see other kids getting ready for a party which he couldn't go to," she said.
"The headmaster told me it was because Ryan's behaviour is unpredictable and they didn't have the staff to give him one-to-one supervision. "Ryan would have enjoyed the party and if there were any problems, I was just a phone call away and could have been there."
She said on the day of the party, last Wednesday, Ryan was very upset and that night didn't sleep very well. Ryan has been at the school since November and goes for three-and-a-half hours a day. He has one-to-one teaching through an educational funding programme.
"His ADH means he can be unpredictable and gets very angry if he cannot handle a situation," she said. "The last few months
he has been getting worse and now this will make him sad and feel he's not wanted at the school."
Headteacher Alan Blake said the school had done everything it could to support Ryan with his special needs requirements.
"Ryan has quite severe behavioural needs and although he attended the school Christmas lunch, he has not yet improved enough to attend all school activities or to join in the less structured school party," he said. "We continue to work closely with Ryan and his parents and apologise for any misunderstanding that may have arisen."
jane_tyler@mrn.co.uk
l WAS the school right or should Ryan have been allowed to go to the party? Write to The Editor, Evening Mail, PO Box 78, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AY, or icfeedback@mrn.co.uk
Autistic boy banned from nativity play
Dec 21 2004
By Jane Tyler
A BOY with special needs was left in tears after he was banned from his school's Christmas party.
While other pupils at Northfield Manor Junior and Infants School enjoyed fun and games at the party, Ryan Lane was at home.
The nine-year-old suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, which means he has behavioural problems.
His mum Jan, from Shenley Fields Road, Weoley Castle, said the school had not told her about the party.
"He was going on about a Christmas party and I asked him what he was talking about," she said.
"I rang the headmaster and asked when it was and whether Ryan could go and was told no, he couldn't." Jan, aged 34, a supervisor for Meals Direct, said she was so shocked she went to the school to see the headmaster. "I told him it wasn't fair on Ryan to see other kids getting ready for a party which he couldn't go to," she said.
"The headmaster told me it was because Ryan's behaviour is unpredictable and they didn't have the staff to give him one-to-one supervision. "Ryan would have enjoyed the party and if there were any problems, I was just a phone call away and could have been there."
She said on the day of the party, last Wednesday, Ryan was very upset and that night didn't sleep very well. Ryan has been at the school since November and goes for three-and-a-half hours a day. He has one-to-one teaching through an educational funding programme.
"His ADH means he can be unpredictable and gets very angry if he cannot handle a situation," she said. "The last few months
he has been getting worse and now this will make him sad and feel he's not wanted at the school."
Headteacher Alan Blake said the school had done everything it could to support Ryan with his special needs requirements.
"Ryan has quite severe behavioural needs and although he attended the school Christmas lunch, he has not yet improved enough to attend all school activities or to join in the less structured school party," he said. "We continue to work closely with Ryan and his parents and apologise for any misunderstanding that may have arisen."
jane_tyler@mrn.co.uk
l WAS the school right or should Ryan have been allowed to go to the party? Write to The Editor, Evening Mail, PO Box 78, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AY, or icfeedback@mrn.co.uk
