Stories from parents highlight how bad it is high divorce rates and constant battles with services and education exacerbate the problems.

Bianca and Ed Sames have two daughters who suffer from mild and moderate autism.

``There aren't enough services out here,'' Mrs Sames said. ``I was running two support groups in the area but I can't get work as I can't get anyone to take my daughter as the local preschool won't take her.''

Mrs Sames, who volunteers with the Autism Advisory Support Service and Families in Partnership, said the stories of parents have shocked her.

``One family I met took their child to the doctor and the doctor said: `If he was a dog you would put him down','' she said.

``I hear so many people who are standing in a line and their child is screaming and other people just say to them `would you shut your child up' or `sort your child out'.

``People don't understand you say to them the child is autistic and people look at you with a blank stare.''

The figures and constant dealings with local cases prompted Werriwa MP Chris Hayes to call for a specialised child-care centre for autistic children to be located in the area.

At last year's federal election, the ALP announced it would build six specialist centres across the country, and Mr Hayes said south-west Sydney, should have a chance of getting one.

Mr Hayes recently told Parliament about people he regularly deals with, including a staff member with an autistic daughter.

``Many of my local constituents who are parents of kids with autism have told me that existing services do not seem to cater for their kids' special needs,'' he said. ``When it comes to autism we're talking of the need for early detection and early intervention.

``Tragically, the south-west of Sydney has a great percentage of people who suffer from autism.''