Cognitive Assessment Programme???

[mum2sunshine]

Quick intro first, have two lovely boys and live in Bristol, DS1 is 4 and DS2 is 3 and has severe speech and language difficulties alongside echolalia and so is on the CAP waiting list for suspected ASD.
Just wondering if any other parents have been through this process and have any tips for what to expect or how to prepare.
Also if there are any parents who have children with autism living in Bristol just wondering if there any support or playgroups you would recommend? Also any local info on statementing/special schools etc in north west bristol area would also be useful although I'm trying not to get ahead of myself! Its all very new to me and I'm finding it very daunting, up until a month ago I just believed his speech would snap into place until I read about echolalia not I'm starting to recognise his autistic traits buts its so difficult to untangle that from normal 3 year old behaviour!
Anyway any ASD advice/tips for a newbie is very welcome
mum2sunshine