Mum and son feature in TV autism show

AN EDINBURGH mother and son will feature in a television programme about autism tonight.

The BBC ALBA programme Coltach ris an t-Saoghal: So Much to Give follows a journey by father and son Cailean and Tascal Maclean from their island home on Skye to look at options for Tascal's future. The 19-year-old has autism and epilepsy.

During the research trip they meet Sandra Rafferty and her son Brian, 22, who has Asperger's syndrome – a form of autism – in Edinburgh.

Brian, who runs the Broughton Street Book Shop, believes he's had a new lease of life in the 18 months since his mum rented the bookshop for him to manage, after many unsuccessful attempts to get a job left him despondent.

Also in Edinburgh, Cailean and Tascal meet talented singer and recording artist Samantha Ruderham. The 16-year-old sang before she could speak and believes her love of music has enabled a huge improvement in her condition.

The programme is at 9pm.