North Wales MS and Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Autism Group Mark Isherwood has called for a Welsh Government Statement on support for parents and carers of children with Additional Learning Needs (ALNs), after parents and carers were left distressed by a letter issued by a Director of Education.
Speaking in today's Business Statement in the Senedd, Mr Isherwood said the letter, which was sent out by the Director of Education at Merthyr Tydfil Council, has been condemned by National Autistic Society Cymru and Learning Disability Wales as being "distressing and ableist".
Mr Isherwood said failure to understand and meet the needs of Autistic pupils and other pupils with ALNs is replicated at senior level in other local authorities.
He said:
"As Chair of the Cross-Party Autism Group, I have been made aware of a letter issued by the Director of Education at Merthyr Tydfil Council to parents, which could be distressing for parents and carers of children with Additional Learning Needs (ALNs), and asked to raise the issue in the Chamber.
"The letter warns that ‘having ALN does not mean school rules do not apply’ and selectively quotes a line from the National Autistic Society’s website, completely out of context.
"Both the National Autistic Society Cymru and Learning Disability Wales have condemned the tone as distressing and ableist, particularly for families already struggling to secure the reasonable adjustments their children are legally entitled to.
"Learning Disability Wales has referred the matter to the Children’s Commissioner and the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and the National Autistic Society has made clear that misrepresenting its guidance is unhelpful and potentially misleading.
"This reflects a failure to understand and meet the needs of Autistic pupils and other pupils with Additional Learning Needs which is worryingly replicated at senior level in many Local Authorities.
"I call for an urgent Statement accordingly."
Responding, the Trefnydd said:
"I'm obviously not aware of this particular letter, but I think it's important that you've drawn it to our attention today, and also that those organisations that have such expertise and support, the National Autistic Society and Learning Disability Wales, are engaging.
"It is a matter for Merthyr Tydfil county council and their director of education, and it is now on the record that there are concerns being raised about that letter and the impact of it."
