Parents of children with additional support needs in Moray call for new specialist school

Autism and neurodiversity campaigners in the north east are calling for a specialist school to be built to prevent children from being left out of education.

Adult assessments for ADHD and autism are under threat due to budget restraints across Aberdeenshire, Angus and Forth Valley.

Campaigners have written to Holyrood calling for an urgent meeting to address what they say is a national crisis.

Chelsea Findlay, whose son Aaran has complex additional needs, fears her child may never finish his education because he requires more support.

She is one of many parents in Moray who are calling for the construction of a specialist Assisted Support Needs (ASN) school in the area.

She told STV News: “Aaran missed well over half of the education he was entitled to from a very young age.

“If our children do not fit in the mainstream, then they’re at home with us.

“That leads to problems with parents out of work and children out of education. That is the main issue here.”

The Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland site in Aberdeen is the only one of its kind in the region.

Billy Alexander from the charity said: “We raised £80,000 alone in our charity dinner last year – all of that went into just keeping the play scheme open.

“We can’t continue to do that. It’s too tight.

“If we don’t get the support from our local authorities and the Scottish Government that’s needed to cover our costs, we will have to close our downs.”

The Scottish Government say they’re working with health boards across Scotland to improve support.