MUM'S JOY AS RUARI (4) SAYS HIS FIRST WORDS

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MUM'S JOY AS RUARI (4) SAYS HIS FIRST WORDS

A BOY with autism has said his first words after receiving intensive therapy in America.

Four-year-old Ruari Burton from St s, who has autistic spectrum disorder, stunned his mum when he spoke his first word while taking part in the Son-Rise programme at the Autism Treatment Centre of America. said she was "astounded" when Ruari said the word "sneeze" to the team at the centre, but that she was convinced when he began to speak to her too."The first couple of days back he had his teachers in tears because he was so much more willing to try things," said ."It's like he's woken up. He's been trying to say about half a dozen words, trying to feed himself and interacting more with people."He may not be cured, but the progress he has made has been so good that I am more convinced than ever that this will work for him."A single parent with no other family on hand to help, is unable to work due to the care and therapy she provides for her son.However, was determined to learn the ground-breaking therapy, which she believes will help Ruari overcome his condition, and following a story in the Fife Herald and St s Citizen raised over £7500 through various fund-raising events to pay for the trip.While Ruari took part in the sessions, was given training at the centre to allow her to help her son's development and communication at home."I was hesitant to take it in at first because I realise I'm his mum, but everyone who knows him says they can see the difference," said ."His condition means that he kind of lives in his own wee bubble, but he seems more keen to come out of that now. It's like he wants to be in our world."Ruari is due to start school in August, but said she is considering getting volunteers to learn the new therapy from her so they can work one-on-one with him in his purpose-styled playroom at home."An autistic child needs that encouragement; they need to feel safe and motivated to come out of their shell," she said. said the trip to America had not been easy due to the fact that Ruari was terrified of the plane and the hustle and bustle of the airport.However, following his time at the centre she said he could hardly wait to get back on the plane and even pushed through a crowd of people, who would normally terrify him, to get on board."He was so keen to get on a plane that he even tried to run on one that was going to Reykjavik," said ."When we went to get on our plane he pushed his way through people's legs, ran into the cockpit and sat in the pilot's seat."The female pilot just laughed though and left him there for a bit. She even put her cap on him."It's funny, he was so scared of getting on the plane on the way over and yet he wanted to take the controls on the way back."It was as if he was saying he wasn't going to be a passenger anymore. He's found a real confidence in himself." said she couldn't believe the amount of money she raised and that she hasn't even made a dent in the donations she tried to sell.She said: "Ruari made so much progress during the trip and that's thanks to everyone who has helped us."

02 June 2006

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