I haven't been on Hitched in years. But I'm still asking. Please help.
In the county of Pembrokeshire, Wales (UK) there is a 7 YEAR waiting list to get a child diagnosed with autism. Imagine your child is 3 when you have serious concerns. They will be 10 before you get a diagnosis. That's half a childhood. With no support. 
It's crucial to have that bit of paper with the words "autism" on it to get much needed help and support for the entire family. The parents and siblings are as affected by this condition as the child.
I've even heard rumours that there is a waiting list to get on the official waiting list.
I managed to get my son diagnosed aged 3 here through a loophole that is only available to a tiny handful of children. We now have a long uncertain wait for his (non identical) twin brother who is showing signs. The next 7 years will be a battle to get his school to listen to us, to be branded as an ineffective parent because of his behaviour, to have heartbreaking meetings for the diagnosed twin whilst silently screaming "why are you only helping one of them?". To worry because early intervention is crucial to minimise any problems he will have as a teen or adult.
To perhaps make the decision to diagnose him privately costing thousands, knowing that will purely be for us as schools don't accept a private diagnosis as proof of support needs.
We have a petition to try and change this. For the hundreds of families affected here. Who are fighting daily.
Please could you also share this on your FaceBook pages. We are close to the deadline and need as many signatures as we can.
https://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/e-petitions/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=889
