But with the support of The Camelia Botnar Children's Centre, Goring, and home-visiting service Worthing Portage, Angie's development has "come on brilliantly".

Now, Babs is organising a charity fund-raising concert to raise cash for both organisations.

Help for Angie

Babs, 40, of Coleridge Mews, Goring, said: "As I was coming to terms with everything, Camelia Botnar and Worthing Portage supported me and gave Angie the help she needed.

"She definitely wouldn't be at the stage she's at now without their help.

"I wanted to give something back and as I know a lot of bands, the concert seemed like a good idea."

The gig is on Saturday, May 24, at 7pm at St Matthew's Church in Tarring. It will feature music from Slow Fuse Blues, Outcry and skiffle band Sometimes They Come Back.

Poetic efforts

Enterprising Babs has also just completed her first book – a collection of poetry she wrote about coping with having a child with learning difficulties called Parallel Truth: A parent's personal journey through experiences of disability.

Babs said: "I felt I needed something into which I could channel how I was feeling. "

Angie was two when she started at Camelia Botnar in 2005, after she was referred by a health visitor, but her autism was not diagnosed until the following year.

Babs said she had always thought there was something different about Angie, as her development was not "linear", like other children's.

"Angie spoke very early but after a while she just went silent.

"There were times when she would progress, but months when she didn't at all."

Making progress

With help, Babs learned a type of sign language which allowed Angie to communicate.

Last month, Angie left Camelia Botnar to start at Palatine School for children with special needs, where according to Babs, she was very happy.

Now, to help other parents like herself and her husband Nigel, Babs is using her background in performing arts to set up a company providing sign-language training, play skills and drama workshops.

For more information, contact Babs on communicatz@yahoo.co.uk

Tickets for the charity concert are available from Camelia Botnar on 01903 504077 or Henry House on 01903 232875.

They cost £1 in advance or £1.50 on the door.

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