NORTH Ayrshire Council has agreed to set up special menus for ASN pupils in local schools after talks with concerned parents.

We reported last month that changes to menus had caused uproar, with one parent warning her child would starve at school due to the lack of anything he would eat.

The council said the menu change was due to health requirements in relation to healthy eating - which has been guided by the NHS.

And parents of ASN pupils were told they would have to adapt and learn to eat the same as the nursery menu for lunches and snacks.

However, members of the Three Towns and Irvine ASN Support Group contacted the local authority to express their serious concerns.

And after talks, the issue seems to have been resolved - leaving the families delighted.

Amy Johnston, an admin of the ASN Group, said: "It is amazing news. Some parents had a lot of problems, so we contacted North Ayrshire Council and asked for a meeting.

"We met with senior members of the education team as well as catering staff and we told them it wasn't good enough. Some children were bringing in packed lunches, which were being taken off them because they said it was unhealthy. They were left with nothing to eat.

"Children have to have hydration and food. They want to learn but they can't if they are hungry and thirsty. We want our kids to be the best version of themselves."

Amy added: "From that we suggested having a neurodivergent menu. They already have special diet requests from children with allergies or diabetes or religious beliefs.

"I have to say the council staff members we met with were brilliant and listened to our concerns. There will be a special diet request form available for ASN kids.

"And there will be options and alternatives with a view of getting some of the pupils to gradually change their diet to what the council regard as a more healthy one."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The council is keen to support the children and their families to ensure their experience at nursery or school, including meal times, is a positive one.

“We had a very productive and positive meeting with the representatives from the group and welcomed the feedback and ideas put forward by them.

“Our catering team manage a variety of special diets for example allergens, cultural and medical diets via a special diet process. We have adapted this process to stipulate requirements for neurodiverse learners.”