NHS waiting list for autism assessments longer than ever

WAITING lists to be assessed for autism on the NHS in England are the longest since current records began, figures show, with experts putting a surge in demand down to increased public awareness of the condition.

Charities have warned lengthy waits for diagnosis can have knock-on effects and called for urgent action from the Government to tackle the issue.

They also want shortages in the health service’s specialist workforce addressed.

Figures released by NHS Digital shows both the total number of waits for an assessment, and the number of waits longer than 13 weeks, are the highest they have been since the start of the data in April 2019.

The number of patients waiting for assessment as of December 2023 was 172,040, up from 117,020 on December 2022, and more than five times the 32,220 on December 2019.

Those waiting at least 13 weeks stood at 147,070 on December 2023, up from 97,170 on December 2022 and more than six times the 24,250 on December 2019.

Mel Merritt, the head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “The Government promised to make significant progress in reducing diagnosis waiting times in its autism strategy, but these figures make clear how in fact the complete opposite is happening.” Autism is a spectrum disorder which affects how people communicate and interact. According to the World Health Organisation, about one in 100 children across the globe has the condition.

Signs in adults include not understanding how others are feeling, getting anxious about social situations, having a strict routine or seeming blunt without meaning to.

Autistic children may avoid eye contact and not respond to their name being called, among other symptoms.

A government spokesperson said: “We know it’s vital to have a timely diagnosis of autism, and we’ve made £4.2 million available this year to improve care for autistic children and young people, including autism assessment services.

“NHS England has also published a national framework to help speed up assessment.”