CAROLINE Springs resident Tylden Beck, who has autism, hopes the autobiography of his short life so far will help shed light on the urgent need of respite for his family.

The 10-year-old is completing the 15-page book in the hope of conveying his family's plea to receive government-funded respite.

Tylden is not at school after quitting last year following a series of bullying episodes but is on a waiting list for admission to a special development school in Deer Park, Western Autistic.

His mother, Bindi, who is his full-time carer, also looks after her six-year-old daughter.

Tylden said he had only one friend, another autistic boy, whom he said he saw rarely. He also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and a learning disability, and has experienced suicidal thoughts since leaving school.

Ms Beck said daily tasks were difficult for him and she had to monitor him 24 hours a day.

She said, ideally, she needed eight hours a week of respite to effectively care for Tylden and ensure her own health and well-being.

Tylden, who spends most of his time on a computer playing games, has anxiety fits if separated from his mother.

"It gets boring, but autism doesn't mean you're stupid," he said.

Ms Beck said it was horrific to see her son go through the pain he had endured. She is calling on the community to help raise money for a companion dog, which could pick up Tylden's suicidal signals and "meltdowns".

National Disabilities Victoria chairman Richard Dent said there was a crisis in supported accommodation in this state for people with a disability or mental illness. The supply of accommodation was critically low, with nearly 1300 people on a waiting list for such accommodation. Mr Dent said this number was only the tip of the iceberg.

disAbility connections Victoria focuses on disabilty issues across the west.