Our humiliated kids have to wear lanyards to tell WHOLE class who’s autistic – if they take them off they’re punished
PARENTS have raged their kids are being humiliated at school because they have to wear lanyards if they’re autistic.
In a new rule that’s left everyone appalled, students with disabilities at Werneth School in Stockport, Greater Manchester, are being forced to “out” themselves in front of the whole class.
The youngsters have been told they must wear the sunflower passes – and if they remove them, they will be “punished”.
In messages from the school it states the lanyard must be worn and that breaching the policy “based on defiance” can result in disciplinary action.
Jennie Fabri said her son Finlay, 12, has now been “targeted” by other school kids because they know about his autism.
She told Manchester Evening News: “Some of the children didn’t know he was autistic, loads of kids were asking him questions and saying things about him.
“It makes me really upset because it’s my child and all my life I have protected him, but somewhere he should be safe they forced him to comply with something he can’t do.
“He didn’t ask to be born with autism, to force him to wear a lanyard, it’s disgusting.”
Another fuming mum named Debbie said her neurodiverse daughter, 15, was refused entry because she wasn’t wearing it.
She said: “The lanyard itself is great away from the school, the idea of it is good, but the point is that it was made to be worn voluntarily.
“But we’re being told if they don’t wear it there will be disciplinary action. She was upset because she was humiliated in front of the whole school when she was refused in.
“It makes me feel quite upset that these kids are being outed [for having a disability], no one would want to have to carry their medical records around their neck.”
Stockport councillor Christine Carrigan said she was “appalled that children are being forced to identify themselves in this way.”
The comprehensive school, which has pupils aged 11 to 16, is part of the Education Learning Trust (ELT).
A spokesperson for the ELT said: “We are currently working alongside the school to fully investigate the issues raised by the parents.
“This will include a review of current practices used by the school to ensure they align with the ELT ethos that promotes an environment where all pupils feel safe and valued.”
The school has been contacted for comment.