Who will educate my son? That’s the question on the lips of a Poole mum whose autistic eight-year-old could be without a school after Friday.

Micky Hyde, can’t cope in a mainstream first school but the local education authority has not been able to offer him a place in a special school, says his mum Tracey Hyde, 38.

“As far as I am concerned it would be like child abuse, sticking him back in a situation he can’t handle,” said Tracey of Kenyon Road, Oakdale.

The bright youngster has been a pupil at Canford Heath First School since pre-school, was diagnosed with autism around the age of three and has a statement of special educational needs from Borough of Poole, with one-to-one help.

“Since September he has just not been able to cope with a mainstream school environment,” said his mum. She said he could get violent and hit out, but no-one knew what triggered his frustration.

The little lad was put on a reduced timetable in October, in isolation, and it was agreed at a statement review that he needed a special school, she said.

Since January he has been on respite at Winchelsea special school but he can’t stay beyond this Friday.

“Since he’s been at Winchelsea he’s been calm and happy and I know that’s the place for him to be – in a special school,” said Tracey.

But Dorset’s special schools are either full or unsuitable because they would not meet the educational needs of Micky, whose level is that of any other eight-year-old.

The education authority has suggested he either goes back to mainstream school or is educated at home, she said, or suggested a school in Lymington, an hour’s drive away.

“He needs socialising and the borough should provide him with a school. It shouldn’t be down to me to educate my son at home because the borough can’t provide anywhere for him,” she added.