My name is Claire, I am a mother. My youngest child Daniel is a wonderful, happy, cherished little boy. He is also Autistic. Dan starts school in September, in his educational statement it was unanimously agreed that he could not cope in a mainstream school. He would need a social/communication unit with full support. So far we have been through physiotherapy, audiology, pediatrics, dietetics, developmental intervention services, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home support from the education team, . He is not new to the system. Today we were told that Dan will not be getting a place in the social/communication unit in September. Not because he doesn't need it, not because he would do better elsewhere, but because there is no room for my little boy. He is on a waiting list with no timeline. Instead of the controlled and tailored classroom with all the support a child like Dan cannot function without, he has no option but to attend a mainstream class with 25-30 other children and 15hrs of one to one help per week. I cannot begin to give you a full list of his needs but here are a few basics. Dan cannot cope with noise, he doesn't understand normal conversation because it moves too quickly and he cant process it, he has echolalia (he can repeat what you say without understanding it), Dan cannot dress himself, he needs full support to eat as his focus wanders and he forgets to finish, he rarely recognises his own thirst, cannot sit or focus for long, doesn't understand social cues........... and so it goes on. Imagine the stress and confusion he would be under in a mainstream school. He is not alone, there are so many families in our position throughout Northern Ireland and we believe that our children have as much right to learn as any other. That means more specialized units and staff. The statistics are clear, the shortfall is extensive and getting worse. Our children's needs are not a surprise, those in charge have known for years that more help is needed. It is past the time for negotiation, it is time for the government to take action, today. Please, sign this petition and help us make a change, give our children a voice.