Parents are calling for improved services for children who suffer from Autism.

Families say the closure of a specialist service in Motherwell, run by Autism Scotland, due funding being axed by the Scottish Government has left them without adequate support in South Lanarkshire.

The council is proposing to set up its own One Stop Shop but the plans have been criticised by parents.

They claim the council “turned down” the offer of an expert advisor from the Scottish Government on the grounds that there were “no gaps in service provision.”

However the council say there has been no offer of direct funding from the government.

Read more: Parents of autistic children lodge complaint after council rejected their petition

More than 7,500 parents have signed a petition in support of their campaign and staged a protest at the council's headquarters.

Gwen Aston, the parent of an eight-year-old girl with autism, said: “Families have attended council meetings, completed their questionnaires about our needs, all of which made it very clear for several months that we need South Lanarkshire council to make ‘expert autism advisors’ available.

“The council began a new autism support service on June 6, because they refused to provide a years funding of £75,000 for the existing and wonderful support called the One Stop shop in Motherwell and it was forced to close.

“ Families depending on the old service have been left devastated and with no support, except a parent support group, drop in session and a limited telephone help line run by social work.

“I have watched families in tears this week at the council parent support group, begging the council social work staff to help us get the day to day support we need in the form of an autism expert.

“The Scottish Government have tried to intervene to help families by offering an expert advisor for South Lanarkshire councils new autism service, but against families wishes, the offer was rejected by Harry Stevenson a council Social Work official last week, stating that accepting such an offer would be a ‘backwards step’ for South Lanarkshire Council and there are no gaps in service provision.

Read more: Parents of autistic children lodge complaint after council rejected their petition

“It is a shocking way to treat some of the most vulnerable families in South Lanarkshire.

“Our needs will never go away as our children (and adults with autism) have a disability that will be with them for life.”

Brenda Hutchinson, Social Work head of service, said, “There has been no offer of direct funding from the Scottish Government for the One Stop Shop for people in South Lanarkshire with autism and their families and carers. If such an offer were to be made, it would be welcomed.

“At a meeting on June 17 Scottish Government officials discussed potential temporary arrangements they might make with Scottish Autism.

“However, the council is pleased with the progress that is being made by the Health and Social Care Partnership in developing the South Lanarkshire One Stop Shop.

Read more: Parents of autistic children lodge complaint after council rejected their petition

“We have already put in place interim arrangements to make sure there is no gap in provision over the Summer, including an advice helpline, a drop-in centre and thrice-weekly support groups.

“We continue to work with parents and carers, and all of those involved in all sectors providing autism supports, to ensure the South Lanarkshire One Stop Shop offers an improved, fully-integrated and well-promoted service specifically designed to meet the needs of local people.”