A LITTLE boy from Kelty is hoping his dreams will come true this Christmas after a UK charity launched an appeal to give him a life-changing present.

Seven-year-old Billy Thomson has had a difficult start to life and suffers with severe autism and Asperger syndrome, which means he struggles to communicate.

It's his dream to have some new sensory equipment that will help him through his anxiety in social situations at school and with family.

Dad Bryan Thomson told the Press: "Billy has really struggled since birth and normal things that we expect to come naturally to children have not been so easy for him.

"It was at nursery that we realised that he couldn't join in, the noise and people were just too much for him and he has no speech.

"But what a difference we've seen in him since he has been using sensory equipment at school and home!

"He now uses picture cards to communicate his wants and feelings and he's even becoming a bit more vocal – the sensory equipment settles and calms him and we would love to get him some more."

Billy lives with dad Bryan, mum Sarah and 18-month-old little brother Jayden.

Every Christmas, the Dreams Come True children's charity raise money to fulfill 12 youngsters' biggest wish.

The charity have brought much-needed joy already to the family such as a providing a swing that Billy relies on to settle him when he's feeling anxious.

Bryan said: "Billy loves the outdoors and he deals with things a lot better out there!

"So we're quite keen to get him out on trips and having this equipment will keep him safe.

"If he doesn't have it then he becomes very anxious and he will try and get out of a moving car.

"He tries to pull door handles so without it we can't go out and he becomes secluded because we're too scared he will hurt himself."

Currently, day-to-day life for Billy is him using his picture cards to tell family and teachers his needs but Billy's parents can remember a time when his communication was non-existent.

Bryan continued: "Before, he would get very frustrated because he couldn't communicate. It was upsetting for us not knowing what he wanted.

"For others, it's so easy to ask for a bowl of cereal but those simple things were such a struggle.

"Now, he can use his picture cards and sensory equipment. He's just begun to muffle 'mum' and as you can imagine it was very emotional for us, as parents we've never thought a word would come out of his mouth.

"At school, he's now able to count up to 50 with his cards too.

"So to get this sensory equipment really does the mean the world to Billy. It will change his life as it provides a greater chance of bringing on his speech."

To donate to the appeal, visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com or text TRUE12 £5 to 70070.