AMENDS: This story was amended on December 28, 2022 to remove the name of the mother and her child, at their request. 

The mother of an autistic girl from Mottingham who was left with post-traumatic stress disorder allegedly from bullying is suing Greenwich Council.

The mum is claiming damages from Greenwich Council after alleging her daughter was both physically and verbally abused during her three months at Greenacres Primary School in Eltham from April to June last year.

She has also claimed her daughter was subjected to racist abuse.

She said: "One afternoon on our way home from school., she delved into her schoolbag, took out her sun cream, dolloped a generous amount on her arm, spread it then said 'look Mummy, I'm the right colour now, I'm English'.

"She was born in Sidcup and is as English as a child with milky white skin."

During her time at Greenacres, the mum also claims that her daughter was kicked, punched, scratched, had her hair pulled and her dress pulled.

She added: "Each week my daughter changed personality and would not say why.

"My daughter went from a bright, happy and vibrant little girl who wanted to play with her friends and do what other girls her age were doing to being a recluse, like a flower that has wilted."

"I am desperate for my little girl to have friends and play the way she started to at Greenacres.

"It took me almost three years to persuade [her daughter] it was ok to go to school.

"It took approximately the same number of months to ruin the chance she had at integrating into everyday life with other children her age."

The daughter has a history of autism and Asperger syndrome and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in May last year.

A psychological assessment report from the children's psychology service based at Woolwich Hospital on the daughter confirmed she had been experiencing recurrent nightmares related to a bullying incident at school.

It also reads: "[The daughter] avoids going to places near Greenacres Primary School and displays high levels of hyper-vigilance around these places.

"Her communication, including communication with family members, has been very limited from May until July last year.

"This was thought to be indicative of 'selective mutism' however it is possible [the daughter's] limited communication was a symptom of post-traumatic stress in the context of social communication difficulties typical to an ASD diagnosis."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said that the council does not comment on individual cases.