THE mother of a child with severe autism has praised her primary school for supporting her development.

Kirsten Smith, 10, who has speech problems and is unable to eat solid food, attends Foston Primary School.

Her mum, Elaine, said staff at the school have been wonderfully supportive and enabled Kirsten to benefit from mainstream education.

“Kirsten was diagnosed with autism when she was two and her twin brother KJ was found to also be autistic when he was seven,” she said.

“She is on a prescription liquid diet which she drinks from a bottle and has high sensory needs and speech problems.

“We have an amazing team of professionals who support us and school has played a big part working with speech and language.

“Kirsten knows lots of words but struggles to communicate them, but through the help of her teacher and teaching assistants, she is learning how to make sentences and having great results.”

Elaine said as April was National Autism Month she wanted to highlight the support the family had received. “I was told that Kirsten was the highest need child in North Yorkshire with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in a mainstream school,” she said.

“There is such negative press about mainstream schools not being inclusive, but Foston has been amazing.

“I can’t thank the school enough. Kirsten is accepted and fully included in all school life.

“She is such a lucky girl and all the children look out for her and accept Kirsten as one of them.

“Foston School is like a family, all looking out and caring for each other.

“We as a family have been so lucky to have such great support from all the people involved in the care and education of Kirsten and KJ. They have all helped to make our journey as a family very special.”

Foston Primary School head teacher Sarah Moore said: “Kirsten has been a delight to have in our school and we look forward to

seeing her progress further through Year 6.