Mother sues her seven-year-old son's primary school 'after staff made him wear a hi-vis vest to show he was autistic'

A mother has brought legal proceedings against her seven-year-old son's primary school after she claimed staff made him wear a fluorescent bib because he was autistic. 
Joanne Logan has taken Cherry Lane Primary School to a disability tribunal after her son, Charlie, told her about the bib in February last year, reports the Daily Mirror.
She cannot seek damages in the case, but hopes that it will help other parents raising kids with special needs. 
He was a Year 1 pupil at the school in West Drayton, London, which has almost 700 children.
Ms Logan, a mother of five, told the Daily Mirror she hopes to win the case to help other parents in a similar position.
'I just want to make sure that no other autistic child needs to be put through what we did,' she said.
'It needs to be challenged - and if this case, if it’s won, it could change that.'
'I have had a lot of people say they’ve had similar. It can affect a child as they get older - they realise they’re different.' 
Ms Logan previously said she was 'fuming' and described the school's actions as 'disgusting' and 'discrimination' when she found out about the bib in February last year.
She said: 'It's just not right - it's massive discrimination. Looking back on it I think the classroom teacher mentioned a bib during the week - but I didn't really think about it, it didn't click until Charlie said something.
'When he came home on Thursday (February 22) he said about wearing a bib at break times - and I was like, 'Oh? - what kind of bib?' and he told me it's silver and yellow, and he said: "My teachers have said I have to wear a bib so that they know where I am at break times".'
She added: 'I knew during lunch break he's not always allowed out because he has been accused of hurting the other children, I know there's an issue there which the school have to work with me on.
'But they seem to think the best way to deal with it is to make him wear a bib so that teachers know that he's autistic.
'I wasn't informed about this by any means! - They decided to do this and it's disgusting - it's discrimination!'
She added: 'As far as I'm aware in the mainstream part of the school Charlie is the only child made to where a bib.
'I'm so upset - I can't believe it's even allowed. I'm totally fuming. I've told Charlie he must never wear the bib, whatever they say to him, he should never put it on.'
Ms Logan had to wait until Tuesday before she could speak to the school's headmaster, Steve Whitehouse, about Charlie's situation.
Following the meeting a decision was made that Charlie would no longer have to wear a bib.
In a statement the school claimed Ms Logan was previously informed about the bib.
Responding to Ms Logan last year, headteacher Stephen Whitehouse said:
'The bib is only for medical emergency so that dinner ladies can quickly see the children who need help. 
'This is not something that is used as standard, it is a preventative measure used to identify if something happens. 
'This was a decision with the parent, he had a number of problems with other children, the class teacher had spoken to his mother and suggested that the teacher take appropriate action. 
'We said to the mother, if you do not wish for this to happen, then your child does not need to wear it.'
A Cherry Lane Primary School spokesman said that parents are 'always consulted' before actions are taken in regards to the needs of their children.
'Should a parent change their mind regarding our practice, we work with them accordingly', they said.
Mrs Logan said there had been complaints about Charlie acting in a violent manner and hurting other children.
But she is angry at the way the school has handled her son. She added: ‘They seem to think the best way to deal with it is to make him wear a bib so that teachers know that he’s autistic.’
Mrs Logan has discussed the problem with headmaster Steve Whitehouse.
The decision was made not to make Charlie wear the jacket again.
She has kept him off school for two days and is not sure what the next step will be.
It is by no means the first time Mrs Logan has clashed with the education authorities over the treatment of an autistic son.
Her other three boys, Brendan, 18, Leighton, 16, and TJ, 12, have all been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum and she said she has resorted to legal action to force Hillingdon Borough Council to put them on an educational support plan.
Mrs Logan also has a daughter Marina, 20. The full-time mother said: ‘I’ve had to fight for all of them. It’s been an absolute nightmare I shouldn’t have to fight like this constantly.’ 
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