A Cheddar Valley family has spoken out about the hardships involved in diagnosing Asperger's syndrome after reading about a Wedmore family's own experiences.

After reading in the Gazette about how Wedmore resident Steve Leftley had his condition misdiagnosed for 20 years, reader Caroline Ainscough, who lives near Compton Bishop, said her daughter Jessica had experienced similar problems.

She said: "I first took our daughter to our GP when she was about four. Over the following 10 years I continued to take her back to see various specialists trying to find answers to explain her various problems and issues – even asking a paediatrician if there was any possibility that all her problems could be linked in any way.

"I was told that she probably had mild cerebral palsy to explain her clumsiness and that there was no single factor. Other than that, we were not really given much help.

"After a very trying summer when she was about 14, I happened to spot an article in the newspaper about Asperger's syndrome, which really struck a chord. I then read some very good reference books on the subject and found a great many answers there.

"At that point I approached her doctor and asked for a referral specifically with Asperger's in mind and it was then that we got the diagnosis.

"It has made an enormous difference to us as a family to better understand my daughter, and since the diagnosis we have all coped much better."

Jessica is now 19 and just finished her first year of an engineering degree at university.

Mrs Ainscough said: "I really don't think we would have ever have discovered what her problems were if I hadn't read that article and started asking about Asperger's as none of the many specialists we saw ever suggested it."

The mum praised Steve Leftley and his father Michael for highlighting awareness of the condition and said she hoped it would lead to more families getting better support in the future.

Have you had similar experiences in getting Asperger's syndrome diagnosed? Email editor@midsomnews.co.uk or write to the Editor, Cheddar Valley Gazette, Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH.

For further information, support and advice call the NAS Autism Helpline on 0845 070 4004 or visit www.autism.org.uk.