Autistic son has been ‘let down’
The Autism News | English
An angry Chorley mother claims her autistic son is being ‘badly’ let down by disabled transport providers.
Lynette Hatton, 33, has to rely on taxis provided by Lancashire County Council to ferry her seven-year-old son Thomas to and from school in Leyland.
However, she claims he is often left waiting on the doorstep for more than 40 minutes in a morning and on occasions the taxi has failed to turn up at all.
The mother-of-two has also claimed that one taxi firm broke the rules by sending an ‘un-plated’ vehicle for a fellow school pupil and now an investigation has been launched.
Hitting out at the state of the system, Lynette said: “Thomas has autism and so routine is really important to him.
“If the taxis are late and he is late for school, then it really upsets him and affects his whole day and his behaviour when he comes home.
“It isn’t something that is happening as a one-off either, it’s every week and at least once or twice.
“He is supposed to be picked up at 8.15 to 8.20am and is always ready and waiting, but it’s often going up for nine and there’s still no sign of his transport.
“He is stood out in the cold waiting and it’s really difficult as I have a daughter in reception at Withnell Fold Primary School so I can’t set off with her until Thomas is safely in the taxi.
“He has to go to a school in Leyland as he has special educational needs and it’s frustrating as I’d love nothing more than to be able to take him myself, but I can’t be in two places at once.”
Please share your reaction! Give your opinion by filling out the form below.
Share this news with friends, family, or colleagues by clicking on the shortcuts below:
