WHEN I first met four-year-old Ben Collins last year, he ignored me. But back then, he ignored his little sister and barely acknowledged the presence of his loving parents.

The only sounds he made were a high-pitched squeal and he had little understanding of the world around him. He would spend his days screaming and banging doors. Since then, Ben's parents have been using a pioneering scheme developed in America to help the youngster overcome autism.

Autism is becoming increasingly prevalent. A link between the illness and the measles, mumps and rubella jab (MMR) has long been suspected, but has yet to be proved.

Last year, The Northern Echo followed the progress of Ben and his parents, who live in New Marske, east Cleveland, as they applied the American way of learning to Ben. And what a difference a year makes.

Now he's a happy-go-lucky four-year-old who runs up to me and screams "hi". He's curious about the world and happy to read aloud to his grandfather. Ben has the reading ability of a seven-year-old.

But perhaps most important for the Collins family is Ben's willingness to play with his three-year-old sister Jordan.

Ben seems to be beating autism, thanks to the dedication of his parents and a team of volunteers. Now mum Sandi wants to help other families in a similar situation by setting up an educational establishment specifically for autistic children to benefit from the American scheme.

The scheme involves parents teaching socialisation through interactive play and learning at a child's pace. The idea is that the children choose to spend less time in their own lonely autistic world and more time in their parents' and siblings' worlds because it appears to them to be interesting and exciting.

Sandi says that there are no educational establishments which specifically help autistic children and wants to set up her own school where the lessons the family has learned in America can be taught to interested parents in the North-East. And, luckily for Sandi, the ideal site may just be around the corner from her home in New Marske.

New Marske Primary School has been empty for some time and last year was set alight by young arsonists. Now the land is up for sale and Sandi plans to put a bid in.

The aims of the intervention centre would be to work on a one-to-one basis with the children to help them reach their full potential and integrate them into an appropriate school - whether it is a special school or a mainstream school - whenever the child is ready.

The centre would rely on volunteers trained by Sandi and her father. Each volunteer would work individually with each child, because it's important for the children to learn that people are different.

It would help parents unlock their child's potential and train them in the ways of the scheme, which they can then continue at home while providing a support network and encouragement.

The centre would have trained teachers who would implement a curriculum and Sandi sees her role as being the centre's manager, rather than a head teacher.

Sandi is in the process of getting the centre registered as a charity and says all the money coming into the centre would be ploughed back into resources.

"The number of parents who want to do something for their children is growing," she says. "The schools do their best but parents feel left out and no-one knows children better than their parents. Something needs to be done. The current facilities are just not good enough."

Sandi has spoken to educational psychologists and people in the local education authority who have said they are willing to help and support her. The Lottery and Children In Need have also expressed an interest.

Since Ben appeared in The Northern Echo, Sandi has received an enormous amount of feedback from desperate parents across the region who want to get involved in the scheme. Sandi believes developing the centre is the best way she can do this.

"I am very excited about it. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time and now I might have the opportunity."

For the Collins family, the results are clear to see. Ben has the speech levels of a two to three-year-old and the reading ability of a child of seven. He asks questions, is loving and tactile, holds eye contact and recognises the people closest around him. Now he wants to know when he can go to school...

l Anyone wanting further information can contact Sandi on (01642) 514576.