The figure has grown since the first quarter of the year.
An end to empty Government promises and a clear plan to speed up assessment needs - that's what a Midlands autism awareness group is calling for.
New HSE figures show over 16,000 children nationally are still waiting on assessments of need, up 8.5% from the first quarter of the year.
That's despite the Disability Act 2005 stating assessments need to be completed within a six month timeframe.
Ballydangan's Hilda Duignan is part of Autism Parents Athlone and says it's an ongoing struggle:
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