Publication: Waiting times for assessment and support for autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, Children’s Commissioner
What are the main points?
> Around 400,000 children are still waiting for their first appointment across community and mental health services – for suspected ADHD, autism, or cerebral palsy, alongside other mobility and speech, language and communication difficulties.
> Children referred for Down’s Syndrome are waiting the longest between referral and first appointment, with an average of 929 days.
> Children with a neurodevelopmental condition had to wait two and a half years for their first appointment if they were waiting for the School Nursing Service.
> Around a quarter of children diagnosed with ADHD waited more than four years after referral for a diagnosis, while a sixth waited over four years for a diagnosis of autism.
EXPERT THOUGHT
Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza said: ‘Existing commitments from the government to fix the broken healthcare and SEND systems are warmly welcomed – but now we need urgent action. I’m calling for better support in mainstream schools, improved awareness and training for frontline professionals in education, health and care so that children are supported based on their needs, not a label.’
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