Over 180,000 face waits for autism assessment  

As of March 2024, 183,733 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England, new latest  NHS data  has revealed. This is a 39% increase in the number of people waiting in just one year.   

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, 87% (160,396) have been waiting longer than the recommended 13 weeks. 

The NAS is calling on the Government to urgently address the growing autism diagnosis crisis and to immediately invest in rolling out diagnosis services. 
 

Too many waiting too long

An autism diagnosis is vital to getting the right help and support. 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 Government committed to 'making demonstrable progress on reducing diagnosis waiting times' in its National Autism Strategy for England. These commitments however, only account for the first year (2021/22) of the strategy. NAS is calling on the Government to provide immediate funding for diagnosis because without this the number of people waiting for an autism assessment will continue to increase and more people will be pushed to crisis point.  

If waiting lists continue to grow at this rate, by the end of 2024 there would be over 250,000 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: 'An autism diagnosis can make a massive difference to people’s lives and is often vital to getting the right support at school, home and work. Latest figures reveal more than 183,000 people are waiting for an autism assessment - that’s an increase of 39% in just one year, making it harder for people to get answers.  

'Long waits of many months or years can cause stress and anxiety for autistic people and their families, or even lead to mental health problems and reaching crisis point, because they haven’t received the timely assessment they’re entitled to. 

'The Government committed to reducing waiting times for autism assessments in 2021, but since then the average wait time across England has risen by 59% to 318 days. This is despite guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence stating that no one should wait longer than 13 weeks for an assessment. 

'All autistic people need access to diagnosis services and to be able to get the help and support they need. The next Government must address the growing autism diagnosis crisis, provide long-term funding for diagnosis services, and ensure that every autistic person has the right support before, during and after diagnosis.'