There is a strong focus on the part of the UK government on parental involvement in the process of determining provision for children with disabilities. This is a main element of the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (DfES, 2001). Although laudable, what is missing from this focus is a discussion with parents/guardians on their perspective of the process of securing provision and eventual placement of their child. A national survey was distributed throughout the United Kingdom, requesting parental comment on their personal experience of securing educational provision for their child with autistic spectrum disorder. 738 completed surveys provided responses to four key areas: parental opinion on obtaining provision, satisfaction with the process, working relationship with the educational provider and the effect that this process had on the family. These comments identified the process as very stressful for most families. The article concludes with an exploration of the data to identify key variables that indicate areas for focus by agencies wishing to support parents.