EDUCATION chiefs say they will not pay for an autistic Exeter boy to be taught at a special school where his mother wants him to go.

Marie Compton, 32, says she thinks eight-year-old Rico would thrive at the Forum, in Dorset, which caters for autistic children with special needs.

Both Devon County Council and Ms Compton, from Wellington Road, St Thomas, agree his current school, Mill Water in Honiton, can no longer cope because of the severity of her son's disability.

Rico struggles with speech, cannot go to the toilet on his own and was recently diagnosed with severe sensory processing disorder, which means his senses are impaired.

He also has Pica, an eating disorder which makes him swallow non-food items.

Because of the unsuitable setting Ms Compton says Rico is getting increasingly upset and lashing out physically at her and teachers.

However, the education department at County Hall says it can cater for Rico using its own services.

The council issued a proposed statement of special educational needs (SEN) last week in which it said it would provide a place for Rico at Oaklands Park School, Dawlish.

A county council spokesman said: "Ms Compton has requested we consider funding a placement at The Forum School in Dorset. However, we can meet Rico's needs appropriately within Devon, while making the most efficient use of resources and ensuring he remains as close to his home community as possible.

"Oaklands Park specialises in autism with challenging behaviour and also has the residential element which will provide the consistency he requires," he said.

"A termly boarding placement at Oaklands Park is being offered to Ms Compton for Rico. We are in the process of arranging this through the statutory processes, and Ms Compton has been kept informed through her representative and her social worker."

Last month Ms Compton told the Echo she had been waiting for the report for months, so she could change Rico's schooling arrangements before the start of the September term.

She said she would now embark on the lengthy process of challenging the decision at a tribunal.

"The decision not to send Rico to the Forum will not save money because the county council will end up having to put together a much greater care package for me," said Ms Compton, who has another autistic son, Lucas, aged five. "It's getting to the point where Rico is too big for me and I need help looking after him.

"One of the reasons I want him to go to the Forum is that they have a maximum three-week break, whereas Oaklands Park has the standard six-week summer holiday, which is very difficult for us."

Ms Compton now has two weeks to respond to the proposed SEN report. Once she receives the final statement she has two months to challenge the matter at a tribunal.

She says she hopes Rico will be able to start at the Forum, which caters exclusively for autistic children and has a high staff-to-pupil ratio, in January.