NHS autism support

The Pits, Ponies, People and Stories exhibition at Hamilton’s Low Park’s Museum looks at the area’s proud mining history.

Running until December, it is a free and fascinating insight into days gone by and the heritage of mining communities across Lanarkshire. NHS Lanarkshire are introducing parents to a programme that helps support children who have autism or other challenges with social interaction.

Mums and dads have praised the sessions, which highlight the benefits of Talkability, a method that helps parents support the improvement of their children’s ‘people skills’.

Talkability gives parents tools to help children with social interaction or communication disorder, who may also have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Rhona Williamson, NHS Lanarkshire speech and language therapy (SLT) clinic coordinator for children and young people, said: “Talkability is being used across NHS Lanarkshire by the SLT department.

“It enables children to develop their people skills by providing the parents with strategies they can use in everyday situations.

“Topics covered include ‘get ready for conversations’, ‘help your child tune in to others’, ‘help your child become a story-teller’ and ‘be your child’s play coach’.

“Parents work with speech and language therapy staff to set individual goals for their child that they will feel comfortable with and able to use day to day.”