Scotland ‘lagging behind’

A BEHAVIOURAL therapist is hoping to set up an early behaviour intervention centre, the first of its kind in Scotland, to help autistic children in Dundee and Angus.

Suzie Repova, 39, is taking her proposal to the Scottish Government in the hope of paving the way for establishing a centre for families, carers and professionals.

At a training session in Forfar she explained Scotland was lagging behind England and Wales in the field of behavioural therapy for children.

She said: “There is a group in Bridge of Allan which l ooks at pivotal response treatment.What I am doing i s based on applied behavioural analysis, or ABA. We teach new skills which can prevent challenging behaviour at early stages. There is very little support for parents at the moment.”

A trained social worker and therapist, Suzie has chaired a children’s panel where she was inspired by the life stories of children.

She is hosting a conference at the Steeple Church in Dundee in September.