It is very hard to get the help and support needed
Grimsby mum Michelle Lamberton whose son is autistic says people need to educate themselves more about it because it is becoming more common. You had your say on our Facebook page.
Amber Cardwell: Hey, mum of an ASD child, well he’s now 16 nearly 17. Never had any support from any agencies. From meltdowns to being excluded permanently from school at age 5, endless tears my end and didn’t know if I couldn’t cope, but with just good old mum and dad support for him, he is amazing. His school, OAW, has been amazing. He can cook supervised, he struggles with a lot, but we just get on with life .
He is my little brain box with the the best outlook on life. He is amazing and I am the most proudest mum in the world. Sorry, just thought it’s not all doom and gloom with life with a child with ASD. Sending love to all those struggling, inbox is always open.
Corinne Bryan: Hey! Fellow autism mum here and autistic adult! Well done for everything you’re doing. My son also attends Cambridge Park too.
Abbie Rebecca Claire Hinesman: Thank you for speaking out, I wish you all the best, I understand how you feel. It is very hard to get help and support for being autistic.
It’s taken me six years to get a diagnosis and I have been fortunate to finally get listened to and helped. But within the six years of getting a diagnosis, it had affected my mental health badly because of all the patience needed and persistence for me to get the diagnosis and help. Thank you very much for spreading awareness, people need to be listened to and helped. Thank you very much for everything that you’re doing.
Nicola Hodgkinson: My son also goes to Cambridge Park after years of fighting for him, and I agree it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him. The amount of progress he’s made in the short time being there is just amazing! I totally support what Callum’s mum is doing and will help in any way I can. Kathryn Keate: I’m glad autism is more widely diagnosed these days, it gives them so much more support. Just because it wasn’t heard of years ago doesn’t mean it wasn’t there. Those children struggled through life and had no help when they were called names. Denise Portus: You have to fight for everything, it doesn’t get any easier as they get older and mine’s 23 years old.
Anna Cowie: I’m so pleased he’s found a school where he’s getting support and can be himself.
I’ve been trying with my son since he was two and he’s almost nine now ... still no further with a diagnosis. All we want to do as parents is help and understand our children. There needs to be more support for our children, it shouldn’t take this long to get them help they so desperately need. Jackie Jennings: At 13 I am still fighting for some support. No one is listening and I’ve had so many meetings. They promised this and that but never hear off people again. Old system has again failed another child. I’m now waiting assessment for ADHD, which may probably never happen. There comes a point where you give up even asking for help.