THE mum of a seven-year-old boy has launched legal action against his school after she says he was forced to wear a fluorescent bib so teachers knew he was autistic.

Joanne Logan, 42, said she had launched the case so that other kids like her son Charlie aren’t singled out as “different” from their classmates.

The mum-of-five has taken Cherry Lane Primary School in West Drayton, London to a disability tribunal, saying it has discriminated against her son.

She cannot seek damages in the case, but said the fight was not about money.

Joanne said: "I just want to make sure that no other autistic child needs to be put through what we did and it needs to be challenged - and if this case, if it’s won, 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.

“They know all these things. They just want to be accepted… we need to stop singling out our disabled kids.”

In February Joanne said her son was made to wear the vest during break times last Thursday so teachers could keep track of him.

Ms Logan, a mum-of-five, said previously she was "fuming" and described the school's alleged actions as "disgusting" and "discrimination".

She said: "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 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.

'FUMING'
"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 claims she had to wait until last 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.

A Cherry Lane Primary School spokesman said: "Decisions made concerning the welfare of all Cherry Lane pupils are done so on an individual needs basis.

"We always have their safety at the forefront of our practice to ensure that some vulnerable children are constantly supported. Visibility tabards (reflective vests) are used for a variety of reasons in our playground.

"Parents are always consulted prior to actions taken regarding the individual needs of their children.

"Should a parent change their mind regarding our practice, we work with them accordingly."