Perth children with developmental and behavioural issues are waiting more than four years for an appointment with a paediatrician, with desperate parents left with little or no support as the public waitlist climbs to almost 12,000.

Dozens of families have told The West Australian of the “immense emotional toll” from waiting years for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and the grief of knowing their struggling children are missing out on crucial early intervention.

In some cases, Perth children are going through their entire primary school years waiting for a diagnostic assessment with a public paediatrician.

Currently only developmental paediatricians can diagnose ADHD in children and prescribe medication, and children with autism need

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