Over 187,000 face waits for autism assessment  

As of June 2024, 187,567 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England, new latest NHS data has revealed. This is a 22% 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% (163,666) 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. 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 last year 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. Sufficient 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 228,000 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: "Rocketing waiting lists mean people are waiting years for an autism assessment and missing out on early vital support. This broken system must change.  

"In June, more than 187,000 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England. That’s an increase of 22% in one year. What’s more alarming is that almost nine in 10 of these people have been waiting to be seen longer than the NICE-recommended 13 weeks.    

"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. 

"Getting the NHS back on its feet means fixing the crisis in diagnosis waiting times. People across the country are depending on the Government to end this scandal"