Hi all, sorry if this is in the wrong place I'm a newby.
When my son was about 4 years old (he's now 10) I went to the GP with concerns about him possibly having ADHD and hearing problems and got told he was a normal 4 year old boy with no problems and that boys were more difficult than girls (having a young daughter and been 20 myself I believed this), he did not do any tests and now I know fobbed me off!!!
At nursery he was bullied as he had a squint that needed a operation and also long sighted that needed strong lenses. The nursery staff again said he had behaviour problems and he would grow out of it as he got older and the children would get use to his glasses. As he moved up to infant school it all esculated but again was but down to been a 'naughty child' that had and was been exposed to witnessing domestic violence. So still no help was given or advice until both my children started at a childminders and she noticed a few traits of ASD, again I went to doctors and school for advice to be fobbed off by this time he was 6.
Myself and his dad split then in 2009 and he really settled down and by this time I had a better idea of his needs thinking the problem was his behaviour and he was a needy little boy that needed things doing certain ways and could only have certain foods cause he was a fussy eater etc. He had no contact from this dad for almost 2 years and I met a partner that my son took to straight away in his own way and then his dad decided he was taking me to court for access. I told both children this and WHAM my son went out of control over night. That was in April last year and after a teacher from junior school noticing traits of ASD we are very slowly getting help. When I say slowly we've been on a awaiting list for almost a year to get a diagnosis. firstly he started weekly councillor sessions that are helping him express his feelings and talking about what upsets him etc. We have seen a sensory theripist that have confirmed he has extreme sensitivity and she said it is unbelievable that we have coped so well without any help. He.s had a hearing test thats also confirmed he is deaf in his left hear. Were awaiting to see a speech and language therapist.Yesterday we saw a pediatrician who confirmed that he is on the autisum spectrum but he needs to see 2 more doctors but the waiting list is another 2 years time!!!
The school have said that because of past behaviour problems is it gets any worse he will be moved to a school where children have behaviour problems because they cant have funding for help uintil a diagnosis has been confirmed!?
I just don't know which way to turn now, its like we have 1 step forward and 3 steps back!! My little boy has suffered, been bullied named as a naughty child and I just want help to help him.
Has anybody else come across any of what I'm going through? or has anybody got advice on how to push things forward or help make his life easier? I really think we have been let down by the NHS and GP. I understand that it can be hard to spot the signs but to be told after 6 years hes on the spectrum is a relief but also annoying that we should of had help for years.
Sorry for the rant lol. Any help and advice is so much grateful for 
. There are lots of posts you can do a search on about diagnosis, education etc so please have a look. The nas home page has links to info which should help you. Also there's a site called ipsea which deals with educational issues. You can also email the nas. There is a phone number you can ring as well but they may not be able to get back to you immediately - look at the home page. Other posters may be along soon to contribute. I do hope you manage to make some headway. It's so unfair. Come back here whenever you want to and ask anything you want to