Parents in fight over where son goes to school

THE parents of a five-year-old boy left waiting more than seven months for a new school place are stuck in a council dispute.

- Thomas Cooper

Joanne Lowe-Heeland and husband Christopher Heeland have been left 'seriously concerned' about their son's development.

Ashton Heeland-Lowe struggles with the effects of severe autism. The condition - which has left him nonverbal - means he requires extra support in school.

But Joanne, of Berryhill, say his needs are not being met and wants action from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The 39-year-old said: "His conditions affect him massively on a day-to-day basis. He has to be managed and monitored all the time because his sensory issues mean he's a choking risk. And obviously with his autism, he has a few behavioural issues. He'll kick and spit at everybody if he's upset. And he's nonverbal, so he finds it difficult to communicate his needs.