The National Autistic Society has responded to Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel De Souza’s report revealing the delays and inequalities facing children with neurodevelopmental conditions including autism.

Mel Merritt, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “It is a scandal that children are waiting years for an autism assessment. A diagnosis can be life changing, and in some cases lifesaving. Dame Rachel de Souza highlights that long waits are robbing young people of their childhood and potential. We agree with the findings that ‘children face an invisible crisis’ and can’t get the support they need.  
  
“We welcome the Children Commissioner using her statutory powers to gather this important, previously unpublished data and her call for the Government to urgently intervene, to cut waiting times and improve support in mainstream schools.  
  
“The Government must heed her advice. The upcoming Government budget needs to provide sufficient ringfenced funding for autism assessments and provide more support for schools; such as mandatory autism training for all school staff, to make sure all autistic children get the education and support they need to thrive.” 

The Children’s Commissioner’s report is available here.