Fleedom in Andalucia

In the interests of greater efficiency and to empower the heads of schools the British government has authorised local schools to decide how they spend their budget. In order to protect the rights of disadvantaged children, they mandated the provision of special needs teachers should the school have such youths in their care. Of course, being efficient results in funding available for normal school operations but insufficient for situations out of the norm. Efficient school principals who work within their budgets therefore ensure that difficult children are not enrolled.

Harry is the oldest child here and is quite far along the autistic spectrum. He was expelled from a couple of British schools for bad behaviour.
He is a happy boy usually and when not at a special needs school down the road, where the Spanish teachers are fond of him, wanders around the garden talking random phrases to himself. The family moved here precisely so they could have enough land for him to do this.

Angelina has just turned 10 and goes to the local Spanish school which is 45 minutes bus ride away. Charlie is 8 and also suffers from autism. He is a smart boy who can easily manage at the same school as his sister. Unfortunately he has some syndrome which makes him unable or unwilling to speak out loud. He can whisper to his sister or mother though so maybe he will grow out of it.
Their mother Sandra explained that there is a strong genetic component to autism and that she herself exhibits some characteristics of it. However, she is convinced that particularly in Harry's case the condition was aggravated by the first and second measles vaccinations.

Sandra spent many years working cruise ships as a fancy hairdresser and then onboard salon manager. When she isn't rushing round ferrying children or doing housework she still practices hairdressing for the local English community. She doesn't like to be photographed.
Her husband Steve Howlett-Neale is a conservation stonemason who works on contract near Bath. At first glance you would think him a long haired musician but his strong Wiltshire burr soon sets you straight.

The family is completed by Grace, the Staffordshire bull terrier / Labrador cross with a warm heart but black, so abandoned by the Spanish owners. Also, Otto, another rescue dog this time suspected of being a Beagle / Greyhound cross. Both dogs are just over a year old and very boisterous, jumping up for affection to great anyone who looks like a sucker.Read more