A FAMILY were overjoyed yesterday as they told how their brain damaged triplet son has started communicating for the first time following pioneering therapy.
Twenty-month-old Robb Millar is said to be making remarkable progress after being treated at Scotland's only cerebral palsy centre.
Robb struggled to play with his brother Iain and sister Alexandra after being born with a form of brain paralysis.
But after only three months of therapy at the Craighalbert Centre in Cumbernauld, modelled on the world-renowned Peto Institute in Budapest, Hungary, the youngster is making great progress.
Yesterday his parents Douglas 32, and Alison, 31, said the groundbreaking #6510 treatment offered free for the first time was finally helping them come together as a family.
Cradling Robb in her arms yesterday Mrs Millar said: ''He is now starting to have more of a relationship with all of us. He is working in a group with other children and is becoming more aware and gaining confidence.
''His brother and sister used to give him toys, but he would not take them and they would lose interest. Now he is learning to interact.''
Robb and his brother and sister were born 10 weeks premature, but weighing in at 3lbs 2ozs like his sister, he initially appeared to be the strongest of the three.
After they were allowed home from Glasgow Royal Maternity to Cambuslang, however, it became clear Robb was not developing as he should. He could not sit up like his brother and sister, he lacked concentration and was generally less mobile.
Mrs Millar, a clerical officer for South Lanarkshire Council, explained: ''It was very gradual, but we knew from early on there was something wrong and the gap between them just widened and widened.
''As my concerns grew we read up on it and felt Robb probably had cerebral palsy.''
The Craighalbert Centre, which opened almost seven years ago, claims to offer a comprehensive programme of support in a school and nursery environment.
For the first time it is offering its #6510 a year therapy free to children under two, in a bid stimulate their development as early as possible.
Ms Gill Sinclair, who works at the centre, said: ''We believe very much in early intervention. The earlier you intervene the better life will be for them.
''Eighty percent of the 29 children here are able to go into mainstream education when they leave aged seven.''
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