Over 224,000 face waits for autism assessment  

As of December 2024, 224,382 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England, latest NHS data has revealed.  

This is a 23% increase in the number of people waiting in just one year, and a 73% increase from this point two years ago.   

NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) guidance states that no-one should wait longer than 13 weeks. But this data shows that of those waiting for an assessment, 201,638 (90%) have been waiting longer than the recommended 13 weeks, with the average waiting time now over 14 months. 

The NAS is calling on the Government to urgently address the growing autism diagnosis crisis and to immediately provide ringfenced funding for diagnosis services.
 

Too many waiting too long  

An autism diagnosis is vital to getting the right help and support. An autism assessment can be the first step to understanding people’s needs and although they shouldn’t be, people are often told they can’t get support without a diagnosis. Without a diagnosis many people struggle at school, work or home, develop mental health problems like anxiety or depression - and in some cases end up in crisis or even in hospital. 
  

Government must act  

The diagnosis process for autism in a modernised NHS that is fit for the future must be timely and use a standardised process for assessments that meet NICE guidelines. NHSE published the Autism Assessment Framework and Operational Guidance two years ago to reinforce standards for assessment. However, ICBs are not able to follow the framework due to a lack of funding in the workforce and in recruitment. Ringfenced funding is needed to establish this standardised process and bring down waiting times.  

If waiting lists continue to grow at this rate, by this point next year, there would be over 275,000 people waiting for an autism assessment. Government must act now. 
 

Our Response 

Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “The number of people waiting for an autism assessment in England has rocketed to more than 224,000 people – that’s nearly the population of Luton or Portsmouth. The waiting list has more than tripled since the publication of the National Autism Strategy in July 2021, despite its promise to reduce diagnosis waiting times and improve support.  

"An autism diagnosis can be life changing and in some cases lifesaving, but getting an autism assessment shouldn’t be this hard. The NHS’s own guidelines say people shouldn’t wait more than three months for an assessment, but the average wait is now over 14 months. The assessment can be the first step to really understanding people’s needs and, too often, people can’t get support without a diagnosis, although this shouldn’t be the case.   

"Autistic people and their families face a constant fight for support in all aspects of their lives, and this often starts with long, traumatic waits for a diagnosis. The Government must provide urgent funding for diagnosis services to end this worsening crisis, and make sure autistic people and their families get the support they need when they need it."