SYDNEY, April 3 (Xinhua) -- A new national survey by Autism Awareness Australia (AAA) has uncovered alarming delays in autism diagnosis, with wait times soaring and families struggling to access critical support.

The survey of over 1,200 parents and carers, conducted in February, found that 32 percent of Australian families now wait more than two years for a diagnosis, a 70-percent increase since 2014, said an AAA statement on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the number of children assessed within six months has plummeted to just 26 percent, a 54-percent drop since 2014, according to the survey following the World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

These delays are driven by long wait times to see both General Practitioners for specialist referrals and specialists for formal assessments, affecting both public and private healthcare systems, AAA said.

AAA CEO Nicole Rogerson warned that these systemic failures are depriving children of timely intervention.

"This report lays bare just how dire the challenges are for families of autistic children," Rogerson said.

Despite a decade of investment in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, families are being forced to pay thousands for private assessments, with one in four families delaying autism diagnosis because they just can't afford to pay the bills, she said.

The findings also highlight the emotional toll on families, with many feeling overwhelmed by the diagnosis process.

The Australian government launched the first national strategy in January to improve the lives of people with autism.

According to the Department of Social Services, there are an estimated 290,000 Australians with an autism diagnosis, though the strategy says the true number is likely much higher. Enditem

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