Ms Debbie Carr:

I would agree with a register for autism. It is not that we do not want to be lumped in with other disabilities, but that it is specific. There is a lack of services and we feel we are always fighting our corner. Throughout Aidan's life, we have been diagnosed within an inch of our lives, but we have never received services. We have only ever had diagnosis upon diagnosis. If there was a register showing that people had been diagnosed with autism, it would mean they would not need to be diagnosed again. If there were more facts and figures available on the number of children with autism - and adults because the adult services are atrocious - there would be more support and the funding could go into the areas that would be more relevant to what people need to lead a semi-normal life. As I said, it is a life-long condition and with the comorbidities, they will never have a normal life. However, they are not even getting the opportunity to lead a semi-normal life because they do not receive anything as they are unseen.