PARENTS campaigning for an overhaul of support for autistic children in Glasgow schools will have their calls hear in the City Chambers.

A motion, to be tabled at a meeting tomorrow, will ask the education heads at Glasgow City Council to work with parents and health workers to make sure vulnerable pupils are placed in the "most appropriate" education setting.

This comes after parents held a protest outside the council headquarters over concerns about children on the higher end of the autistic spectrum being pushed into mainstream schools.

City action group PACT for Autism say vulnerable children are suffering as a result of a lack of specialist teaching.

The Evening Times told you about one mother’s fears after her autistic seven-year-son repeatedly ran away from a mainstream primary - once lying down in the middle of a busy dual carriageway in the north of the city.

Another hit out after being told to register her four-year-old son, who has complexed needs and the mental age of an 18-month-old baby, with a city primary school.

Glasgow City Council hit back saying that all children, regardless of their additional needs, must register with a mainstream primary school as a matter of policy only.

But parents have said this is not appropriate and called on the council to include them more in their children's education plans.

PACT for Autism chairwoman Sharon Burns, who led the protest under the banner "Stop Autism Discrimination in Education", says they have had to "fight be heard" by education bosses.

The Presumption of Mainstream Education policy - applied by local authorities across the country - is set out in the Standards in Scotland Schools Act 2000.

The law places a duty on councils to educate children in mainstream schools unless there are specific exceptions, including if it is not suitable for the child, would cause disruption to others or is too expensive.

But concerns have been raised in the Scottish Parliament about inconsistencies in the way it is applied.

The Scottish Government has already committed to a review, which has been welcomed by the Glasgow City Council.

Now they are being asked to look at their own decision making.

A motion, to be raised at tomorrow's Executive Committee by SNP councillor Gerry Boyle, who has worked with the parent's action group, states: "Children who are affected by Autism are entitled to the same life expectations as everyone else in society.

"This council recognises its duty to provide a learning environment where each individual can reach their potential.

"Council recognises that some children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have complex additional support needs which can make their experience of education particularly challenging.

"Council further notes that the Scottish Government has committed to carrying out a review of the national guidance on the duty to provide mainstream education, in light of policy and legislative developments, and believes that a similar exercise in Glasgow could be of considerable benefit to children with ASD.

"Council therefore calls on the Executive Member for Children and Young people, in partnership with parents and health professionals, to review the strategy for supporting children with ASD in Glasgow in order to ensure that they are identified and supported in the most appropriate educational setting for their needs."