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The mother of an autistic girl is suing her local authority because she believes bullying at school has given her daughter Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

A psychologist says little Tianni Stratton, nine, has developed the condition associated with war-scarred veterans because she is haunted by playground bullies.

She is so scared of her tormentors that she is afraid to leave the house and has even stopped talking, according to mum Tracey, 45.

The full-time mum is now claiming damages from The Royal Borough of Greenwich, which she believes has ignored the racist and physical torment.

She said: "She started off at the school and absolutely adored it but after about four weeks the first trouble started.

(Image: SWNS)

"Every time I went into the school the said she doesn't understand what's going on.

"I saw a girl spit at her and slap her but the teachers tried to say she was making it up because of her autism."

Tracy's fears climaxed last summer when Tianni reported racial abuse at Greenacres Primary School nearby in Greenwich, south east London.

(Image: SWNS)

The mum said: "She did something that made my heart break.

"On the walk home from school she put sun cream on and she's half Asian and got beautiful brown skin.

"She put a big dollop of sun cream on her arm and said, 'Look mum I'm white - I'm English now'.

(Image: SWNS)

"I wiped it off and said, 'You are English, you have beautiful brown skin, anytime anyone says that remember one thing - brown is beautiful - and don't let anyone else tell you different'.

"I wanted to burst into tears."

Tianni was home-schooled until she started at Greenacres in April last year and the bullying went unnoticed until she told her mum and nan Pauline in July.

She refused to return after revealing the abuse and Tracy repeatedly complained to the school but feels her cries went unheard.

Tracy says she had no other option but to approach a solicitor in September who handed the council a legal notice in December after her daughter verged on being a mute.

(Image: Google Maps)

She said: "She was never Mrs Chatty but she's got worse since she was diagnosed with PTSD in November.

"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 got a solicitor in October when nobody at the school was listening to me and we launched the legal action in December.

"Tianni's had her life interrupted. I want to sue for damages for her trauma."

The Royal Borough of Greenwich refused to comment on the matter.

A spokesperson said: "The council doesn't comment on individual cases."

Tracy is trying to raise £6,000 for an autism service dog. For more information click here.