School bus disruption ‘unbearable’ for autistic teens

The mother of a teenage boy with autism says her son has missed school because of repeatedly missing buses.

Katherine Williamson’s son Andrew relies on Education Authority (EA) transport to get him from his home in Doagh to his special school in Ballymena.

“It hasn’t happened so many times that now he feels guilty. He feels guilty,” he said.

The education authority apologized and blamed staff illness, mechanical problems and recent bad weather conditions.

Katherine said the disruption began in September 2023.

He has complained to EA several times but is told that there are still mornings when the bus does not come.

“I’ve lost count of how many times she’s just been a no show.

“He starts walking quickly up and down the aisle and says to me ‘Have I done something wrong? Doesn’t the bus want to come and get me?’

“Because of his autism he can’t regulate his emotions the way the rest of us can,” she said.

Catherine described the problem as “intolerable” and said that “structure is very important” for children with special educational needs.

“I am absolutely frustrated because obviously I have made complaint after complaint,” he said.

“On several occasions I have been told, ‘It is up to you to make alternative arrangements.’

Katherine works as a nurse and her husband also works full-time.

She said this makes it difficult to get Andrew to school, 25 minutes away.

“By the time I get to work, I’m half an hour late. What should I say to my patients? I have a duty of care,” Katherine said.

“I cannot understand why the education authority has no duty of care.”

She said that she could not bring Andrew to school earlier because school does not open before 08:45 GMT.

“Should I leave him wandering alone in Ballymena? A vulnerable 15-year-old.”

Katherine said the EA was not respecting the arrangements outlined in Andrew’s statement of special educational needs.

“Children with special educational needs are treated like second-class citizens,” he said.

EA has apologized for the disruption and any breakdown in communication.

In a letter to the family, the organization blamed “a shortage of drivers as well as vehicles” within the fleet.

“When we face staff absences and vehicle breakdowns it becomes even more difficult to ensure that our services continue to operate.”

In a statement to the BBC, EA said it was working to minimize any further disruption as far as possible.

“We can confirm that the service is currently operational, but unfortunately, due to staff illness, mechanical problems and recent poor weather conditions, we have been unable to transport children using the service on a number of occasions “

A spokesperson said every effort is made to quickly restore service or make contingency arrangements when problems arise.

“Where this is not possible, our team will contact parents/carers immediately to try to make them aware, but regrettably issues may occur out of hours or at very short notice making this difficult to do “

The spokesperson said the EA “recognizes the impact of disruption on pupils’ learning and routines” and is committed to “further developing contingency plans” and improving communication with families.

Katherine highlighted the problem in a video on social media and said she had received similar frustrated messages from other parents.

“Some children are wheelchair users and some other parents do not have vehicles and do not drive.

“If that bus doesn’t come, their kids aren’t getting the education they need.

“They need stimulation, they need that routine,” he said.