Steve_colour-se7en Report post Posted March 26, 2006 Autistic children 'face three-year diagnosis delay' in NI Autistic children in Northern Ireland are waiting almost three years to be diagnosed, it emerged today. The statistic was revealed as the Government faced fresh demands to boost resources for the condition which campaigners have described as a hidden disability. Ulster Unionist peer Ken Maginnis uncovered the scale of the waiting lists more than six months after he raised the issue in the House of Lords. Lord Maginnis, who has a seven-year-old grandson with autism, said: ?It is scandalously unforgivable. ?It really is something the Government should be ashamed of.? The revelation comes as Autism NI (PAPA) prepares to publish a joint report with its Welsh equivalent. The charity will use the Whitehall launch this week to call for greater investment to help families cope with the biggest rising developmental disorder in the world. It is estimated 3,500 children of school age and 20,000 adults in Northern Ireland have autism. for the rest of this article use the link http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?...008&p=y77z547y4 Steve.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites