ASN communication boards for children vandalised after family campaign
The Tricker family campaigned for North Ayrshire Council to install communication boards for children with additional support needs.
Last updated 4th Aug 2023
A North Ayrshire family have been left 'heartbroken' after an ASN communication board they campaigned for was vandalised only two weeks after installation.
Stevenston couple, Kenny and Emma Tricker campaigned for the communication boards to be installed after they took their daughter Emilie-Rose to a park in Renfrewshire that had them.
Emilie-Rose is autistic and non-verbal, making communication for her difficult. However, after the family saw her using the board to communicate with her parents, they knew it could help others too.
North Ayrshire Council had the boards swiftly installed in parks across the region, including Stevenston Beach Park, Irvine’s Eglinton Park, Largs Seafront Park & Dalry Park.
They have a number of square signs with common phrases and items that would be included in a child’s vocabulary, and the idea is for them to point to whatever sign they feel best communicates their intentions or needs.
However, only two weeks after they were put in the parks, the one closest to Kenny & Emma’s home has already been vandalised with two large holes being put in the board, leaving the family feeling ‘heartbroken’.
Kenny tells Greatest Hits Radio: “With the vandalism, we did think it was a possibility, but again had it in us to think that people wouldn’t do something like that. It’s kind of heart breaking to see, not just for us but for the kids who use it also.”
However, despite the vandalism the boards are being used by people, which Kenny says is the most important thing to spread awareness for them.
He added: “The fact that she can’t speak, means its great that they have installed these boards because she uses them and is very familiar with all the signs and recognises the symbols.
“It has helped us leaps and bounds and it’s showing us as a family that she’s very clever and that proves they are working.
“When we struggle to understand what exactly is she wanting, why is she so distressed? Well, these signs and symbols rectify that, and it’s definitely working. I imagine it would work all across the spectrum.
“If we can spread awareness for the need for these, that’d be great. We have had some great feedback so far, and hopefully we’ll get some more in the near future. We’ll let North Ayrshire Council know about the vandalism, but that’s all we can do right now.”