Over 200,000 face waits for autism assessment  

As of September 2024, 204,876 people were waiting for an autism assessment in England, new NHS data has revealed. That’s more than the population of Reading. 

This is a 25% increase in the number of people waiting in just one year, and a 96% increase from this point two years ago.   

Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that, no-one should wait longer than 13 weeks. But this data shows that of those waiting for an assessment, 89% (183,200) have been waiting longer than the recommended 13 weeks. 

We are 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 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 256,000 people waiting for an autism assessment. Government must act now. 
 

Our Response 

Tim Nicholls, Assistant Director of Policy, Research & Strategy at the National Autistic Society, said: "The number of people waiting for autism assessments in England is now over 200,000 people. That's more than the population of Reading. This should be a huge wake-up call to the Government to urgently fix this broken system which lets down autistic people and their families. 

"An autism assessment can be the first step to really understanding people’s needs and too often people can’t get support without a diagnosis, even though this shouldn’t be the case. Waiting for months or years for an assessment leaves people struggling without the right support, increasingly stressed and anxious. It pushes some people to a mental health crisis. 

"The Government’s Budget gave an extra £22.6bn to the NHS in England. Ending the diagnosis waits crisis would take just a small part of that money. But without it, the crisis will go on and on, leaving autistic people, families and NHS services under the strain. No more excuses. It’s time to invest in autism assessment – and autistic people’s futures."