Annie Gomarsall cannot cope with crowds or loud noises - they send her into hysterics and she throws herself on the floor screaming.

The six-year-old is trapped in her own autistic world - unable to speak, make contact or even look her parents in the eye.

She communicates through pointing.

Without treatment, Annie is unlikely to make great progress.

Parents Joanne and David, of King's End, Bicester, have launched an appeal to raise £10,000 so they can take Annie for treatment to the United States.

They made the decision after watching the BBC programme QED, which showed the help given to autistic children by the Option Institute.

Mrs Gomarsall said: "They will help us to get through to Annie so that she will learn to speak to us. We cannot allow her to be like this all her life - we must give her a better quality of life. "She will not need nappies, she can learn to have a normal life.

"We can go a long way to having a normal family life. We will find the money and definitely will be going. She has come on a bit recently, but we want to bring her right out of her little world."

They are hoping to attend a two-week course at the Institute, in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in October next year.

The Institute has already said they believe Annie can be cured.

Trustees have been appointed to collect money for an account called Annie's Autism Fund.

Anyone interested in donating or holding a sponsored event can call Mr and Mrs Gomarsall on 01869 246509.

Story date: Monday 15 February

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