A YOUNG girl from Irvine has been able to live out her ballerina dream, after previously being rejected because of her Additional Support Needs (ASN).

Emilie-Rose Tricker, who turns six next month, developed an interest in ballet earlier this year.

However, despite her parents Emma and Kenny contacting various dance schools, they were repeatedly turned away because she was autistic, non-verbal, and not toilet trained.

Emma said: “Nobody would listen to us, no one would accept her. As soon as people hear that she’s autistic they assume the worst and they shouldn’t.

"We’ll never forget as a family that Tracy said ‘dance is for everyone, of course she can come to the class’.”

Emilie-Rose discovered her love of ballet through YouTube videos (Image: Emma Tricker) The family's hope was restored when the Dance Depot in Kilwinning, run by Tracy Maguire, happily accepted Emilie-Rose, and even adapted classes to fit her style of learning.

Now at the classes every Tuesday evening, Tracy sets out visuals for her to follow.

Emilie-Rose discovered her passion for ballet through YouTube videos, and despite being non-verbal, has taught herself how to say "ballet class".

This style of dance works perfectly for her, with her main method of stimming being to jump.

Emma and Kenny are both administrators for the ASN Irvine – parents and kids online group, and have struggled to find specialist classes and activities.

Emilie-Rose and her parents have had to leave various other classes (Image: Emma Tricker) They have also been asked to leave ASN sessions before, because Emilie-Rose wouldn't wear the required socks due to her sensory issues.

After talking to Tracy about these problems, she set up her own ASN dance, music and movement classes one week later.

The classes now run on Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

Emma continued: “We were a bit disheartened with other places telling us no, we found that a bit discriminatory.

"Why shouldn’t she be allowed to join in with the other kids? Our little girl can do what any other little girl can do, she just needs a little bit more support.

“These classes were needed within our community for additional support needs children, because in our community there’s nothing for our children.”