Can School Charge for Lost Books

j.e.j.

theoretica wrote: »

Ouch. A huge problem people in this situation face is an assumption that if they can get better/be normal if they just try a little harder. Having problems living a normal life is why this is a disability.

I understand that but he does have to live in the world.

j.e.j.

justontime wrote: »

He may never get those things (but many do). It is not a question of telling him to 'man up' autism is a lifelong condition, he will not get better. He tries very hard to be 'normal' but he will always need help with certain aspects of life. You would not suggest that someone with a physical disability should get over it so why do you show such lack of understanding towards someone with a developmental disorder.

I think my words are being twisted, no-one is saying just man up. But I get where you're coming from, thankyou.

duchy

meritaten wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude - but you obviously don't understand how people with Aspergers react. if he is anything like my grandson (or my son who also has Aspergers), he wont 'learn' from this. He will react the same way every time he is accused of something he hasn't done (or rather has done that someone says he hasn't).
and if he states that he returned the books - he returned the books.

Whilst I fully appreciate how Aspergers impacts on reactions this is a good chance to show him that letters from authority can't be ignored by throwing a strop and ignoring the situation as one day we won't be around to sort things out for them.

Just tell him you know they have got it wrong but it still needs to be dealt with and you need his help dealing with it. Then get him to help you track back the date and approx time he returned the books and who to - and write the letter stating this.

My son is twenty threer and has Aspergers-Getting him to do stuff sometimes is a challenge but in the long run is for the best.

justontime

j.e.j. wrote: »

Granted, but the question still stands. You can't go through life over-reacting to small things (though some people do, I know!)

How on earth does he cope at university? What happens if the lecturer were to erroneously tell him he hasn't received the lad's work? Does mum have to step in then, too?

He has support at uni so yes, someone would have to help him, just as they would help any disabled student who needed additional support.

j.e.j.

duchy wrote: »

Whilst I fully appreciate how Aspergers impacts on reactions this is a good chance to show him that letters from authority can't be ignored by throwing a strop and ignoring the situation as one day we won't be around to sort things out for them.

This ^^ You explain it better than me duchy.

Tigsteroonie

justontime wrote: »

My son who will be 20 in December left Sixth Form after his A Levels and is now at university. Today a letter addressed to me and my husband (who is not my son's father and has never had parental responsibility for him) arrived from the school

Given that your son is now 19 - which the school will know - why are they writing to you? Surely any debt would be pursued against your son, despite his disability. I know that you would help him with any problem/issue, but I'm just surprised that, given his majority, they think they should contact you - to me, it's a little like "does he take sugar?"

justontime

Please people, I don't need to be told how to support or manage my son. Every person with autism is different so if you know one person with a similar diagnosis it does not mean that they have the same needs. That is not why I posted this question. I need to know if the school can force me to pay this.

GwylimT

A school can charge for any lost or damaged equipment, just as a library etc can. If a textbook is being taken home I would expect a full check out and in system, whether that be a code system or a simple sign out.

j.e.j.

They can't force you to pay if you can convince them that the books were returned. I imagine it's like a library, they make mistakes sometimes and say something wasn't returned when in fact it was. I am sure they'll be reasonable if you contact the school and explain the situation.

meritaten

sorry justontime - to answer your question. the school cant force you to pay. your son insists he returned the books. he has a witness. the school need to 'prove' he didn't. which in my opinion they cannot as it could be an admin error.
Do NOT pay. let them make the next move.