An Inverness mum has hit out at Highland Council after her autistic son was only able to attend his school for one hour every week.
Youngster Daniel Gourlay was restricted to just one hour per week at Inshes Primary School for the past three years.
The nine-year-old was even kept away from his last sports day.
His mother Barbara Irvine is now calling for education officials to stop “discriminating” against her son and allow him the right to a full-time education.
Daniel has been diagnosed with pathological demand avoidance.
It means he is unable to cope in a mainstream environment, as change, loud noises and large groups can cause him to become distressed.
As he is not classed as having learning difficulties he does not meet the criteria for a place at a dedicated special needs school.
His education, until this month, was restricted to just one hour a week at Inshes Primary, which has an additional needs base.
His schooling has recently been increased to two hours a week – one hour on a Tuesday and another on a Friday.
Ms Irvine said: “Two hours a week is nothing. Daniel wants to go to school like his brother and sister. He’s a bright boy.
“When he was diagnosed last year, they assessed his ability and they said they were amazed where he was considering his lack of education. They said he had potential to do more, he just needs the right environment.
“He can’t cope in a class with 20 or 30 other kids. But because he doesn’t have learning difficulties he doesn’t meet the criteria for a special needs school. So where are our children supposed to go?”
Mrs Irvine added: “They’re failing in their duty of care. We need a specialist educational facility for children with no learning difficulties but who cannot cope with mainstream and who are effectively in no-man’s land.
“You can’t fit a round peg in a square hole.”
A spokeswoman for Highland Council declined to comment on individual cases, but said: “Any pupil who presents with significant issues in relation to accessing education, for whatever reason, will be known to ASN (additional support needs) staff within the council who will always work alongside parents to try and overcome any barriers to education and to increase a child’s access to the curriculum and to the social aspects offered by a school.
“For a very small number of pupils with the most complex needs, this can require the input of a number of services over a long period of time.”