Mum wins fight for autistic son

Aladin Ali had been told her son, Lenzie Academy pupil Yaseen (15), who has Asperger’s Syndrome, had a place on East Dunbartonshire Council’s support programme Positive Achievements in Kirkintilloch after the summer break

But East Dunbartonshire Council changed their minds a few weeks ago and refused to fund his place after learning the family lived outwith the area at Hogganfield.

This was despite Yaseen being a pupil at Lenzie Academy since S1.

Glasgow City Council also refused to finance his place – because the unit is in East Dunbartonshire.

But after Aladin contacted the Kirkintilloch Herald, the council’s director of education Gordon Currie told us he was “happy to confirm” Yaseen would start the programme.

The Positive Achievements Programme was set up a few years ago by EDC to give extra support to young people “struggling to reach a positive destination.”

The programme runs for a minimum of 28 hours a week and takes place over 18 weeks during the spring term and 18 weeks during autumn.

Aladin said: “I can’t thank the Herald enough. Yaseen had been left in no-man’s land and it has been very difficult .

“They were really dragging their heels over this.

“It was awful because Yaseen got to know everyone on the programme during the summer and he was very happy there.I’d also like to thank SNP councillor Shabbar Jaffri of Glasgow City Council. He has been non-stop in his support.”

Gordon Currie, director of education at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “We have worked with the Education Service in Glasgow to resolve this and are happy to confirm Yaseen will start at Positive Achievements.”