THE family of a young girl who cannot speak have launched a Crowdfunding page to help fund specialist therapy to help her communicate.

Ruby Bennion’s family are all learning the sign language being taught to the four-year-old so they can ‘talk’ to her.

But the therapy she needs, which is called Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), requires more hours a week than the NHS funds, if it is to make a real difference for the Tranent youngster and her family.

Now they have launched an appeal for support via the online fundraising site, and have already received hundreds of pounds from well-wishers.

Ruby was diagnosed with non-verbal autism last May, after a two-year-battle by her parents to find out why she was not talking.

Mum Emma and dad Graeme looked into ways to help their young daughter and brought in autism specialists Keys For Learning.

But while they were able to provide 20 hours of therapy a week, the NHS only funded one hour every six weeks, and the family had to finance the rest of the sessions themselves.

Now they have launched the fundraising page in a bid to keep the therapy going.

Launching the page, dad Graeme, who runs Preston Lodge High School’s Active Schools programme, said Ruby was a fun-loving child who loved playing with her big sister Annie and other children at the nursery.

He said: “Currently we use an ABA therapist three times per week, as well as an extensive three-hour programme on top of this on a monthly basis.

“As a family we have done this for six months but we are ineligible to receive any grants or funding towards the cost of the programme.

“Within the six months we have seen dramatic change to Ruby’s communication and understanding. She began to sign for items such as juice or when she would like something to eat.

“Also in the summer we used a therapet dog to help Ruby understand the dangers of crossing the road and being out in the community. Ruby has no sense of danger or road safety and through extensive research the use of a therapet helped Ruby.

“By raising funds, we hope to continue Ruby’s ABA programme with a view to increasing the amount of therapy time she is able to access. We want Ruby to be safe, happy and included so she can enjoy more experiences in life.”

The Crowdfunding page has raised £933 so far. To find out more or help, go to www.justgiving.com/crowd funding/runforruby