On Monday 6th February, thanks to NAS campaigners, 29 MPs joined a debate in Westminster Hall on autism and ADHD assessment delays. Our campaigners wrote nearly 3000 emails in just one week, reaching every MP in England. MPs heard how 120,000 people are waiting for an autism assessment, an increase of 40% in just one year.

Why was there a debate?  

The debate was triggered by a petition by campaigner Jess Tomlinson. She joined forces with fellow mother Sonya Mallin after both waited years for their children to have assessments. Both found their children had little support while they waited.   

Sonya said: “I wish we were an isolated case, but I don’t know any family that has engaged with this process and had a positive experience. We have to fight for every scrap of support for our children both before and during diagnosis. At the very least, we should expect the assessment to take #MonthsNotYears. Although it’s great to see many MPs speaking out about diagnosis delays, now is the time for action, and I urge them to support more funding to reduce waiting times.”  

Government guidance is clear – no-one should wait longer than three months between being referred and first being seen. However, NHS data shows that the vast majority of people (over 100,000 people) have waited longer than this. It is a postcode lottery, which has been made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. Ahead of the debate the NAS briefed MPs to make them aware of the growing crisis in diagnosis.   

What happened at the debate?  

Many MPs shared stories from constituents who had faced gruelling waits for assessments. These were heard by the Minister responsible for autism, Parliamentary Under Secretary Maria Caulfield MP, and the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan.

Elliot Colburn, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said:

“It is very clear that the situation with waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments is desperate and requires urgent attention. These are waiting lists that we would not accept in any other area of the NHS. We are poorer as a country for not taking full advantage of the talents that neurodiverse people can bring.” 

What happens next?  

The debate was an opportunity to highlight the crisis in diagnosis waiting times and to put pressure on the Government.  NAS will reach out and build relationships with the MPs who spoke and support them to continue to raise awareness of these issues.  

Did your MP attend the debate? Below is a list of MPs who spoke:  

Chairs: Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) and Dame Angela Eagle (Wallasey)  

Shadow Minister for Mental Health: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan (Tooting)  

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care: Maria Caulfield (Lewes)  

Siobhan Baillie (Stroud)  

Steven Bonnar (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill)  

Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West)  

Steve Brine (Winchester)  

Paul Bristow (Peterborough)  

Sir Roberts Buckland (South Swindon)  

Bambo Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate)  

Elliot Colburn (Carshalton and Wallington)  

Flick Drummond (Meon Valley)  

Mark Eastwood (Dewsbury)  

Laura Farris (Newbury)  

Margaret Ferrier (Rutherglen and Hamilton West)  

Peter Gibson (Darlington)  

John Howell (Henley)  

Kim Leadbetter (Batley and Spen)  

Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East)  

Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston)  

Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East)  

Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North)  

Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East)  

Alex Sobel (Leeds North West)  

James Sunderland (Bracknell)  

Jon Trickett (Hemsworth)  

Matt Vickers (Stockton South)  

Robin Walker (Worcester)  

Further reading:  

• Read the transcript of the debate.  
• Read about the latest figures for autism assessment waiting times.  
• Read our guides for autistic adults, parents and carers and professionals on the diagnostic process, getting support after a diagnosis and more  
• Find out more about our wider help and support.  
• Sign up to campaigns updates.