ALEXANDER and Conal Hill are severely autistic; they don't speak, have little eye contact, and a very short attention span.

When they are tired, the twins sit in a corner rocking back and forth, but when they aren't, they run up and down in hyperactive

At the age of three years five months, Alexander and Conal should be ready to start school.

But any chance of going to the local primary with their five-year-old sister Eleanor is out of the question due to their unruly behaviour.

Mum Vicky explained: "They are anti-social, they don't play with other children, or with each other. And they don't use toys." Vicky, 31, of Summertrees Avenue, Lea, has spent months researching what sort of education would work for them. After reading hundreds of pages on the Internet, she discovered a programme widely used in Norway called the Lovaas system.

She explained how the one-to-one treatment works: "It's based on fun," she said. "It works through praise and love and tickling.

"Children are reinforced with cuddles and love for being interactive and interested."

For two months the twins underwent Lovaas therapy at Stoneygate Nursery. Students from the University of Central Lancashire have been working with them and the results have been staggering.

Vicky said: "They have started having eye contact, they have been much more sociable, even responding to language.

"And last week Alexander spoke his first word."

Vicky is keen to set up a permanent Lovaas programme, at present the treatment is provided by volunteers and trainees.

She has applied to the education authority for funding and is awaiting their decision.

But it all takes time, and the twins don't have time.

"If autistic children have not acquired language by the age of seven, 50 per cent of them will remain mute," said Vicky.

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