Neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan Recently told The Times Today, “overdiagnosis” is a scourge, including those who suspect autism.
But do these statistics have these requirements?
National Autism Society It is said that around 750,000 autistic adults in the UK have not been diagnosed. this Children’s Commissioner’s 2024 report In the waiting time for assessment and support for autism, a wide range of “inequalities among the least dominant children” were found to seek assessment.
and Latest NHS diagnostic waiting time figures Just released (90% of people suspected of autism have shared incomplete public evaluation referrals in the past 13 weeks), we have National Autism Society The difficulty of evaluating may be more risky than the so-called “overdiagnosis.”
“Autism diagnosis may change lives”
Mel Merritt, head of policy and sports at the National Autism Association, told us: “The number of people waiting for autism assessment in England has flocked to over 224,000, which is almost the population of Luton or Portsmouth.”
It also grew 23% from last year’s figures and 76% in the past two years.
“More than double the waiting list since publication National Autism Strategy in July 2021although it is expected to reduce diagnostic waiting time and improve support. Merritt continued.
Even though this is also NHS itself Say people don’t have to wait more than three months to evaluate.
“Autism diagnosis can change lives and can save lives in some cases, but autism assessment should not be so difficult…the average waiting time is more than 14 months,” the spokesperson shared.
“Evaluation may be the first step to really understand people’s needs, and although this is not the case, often, people often don’t get support.
“In addition, people don’t have to pay for the support they or their children need.”
this Children’s Commissioner’s 2024 report Discover “The most vulnerable children with neurodevelopmental status are most likely
With the long waiting time, their life lessons change forever.
As Guardian writer Noted: “No one is just a ‘slap’ autism diagnosis for anyone, at least not in the NHS.”
The endless waiting list is “traumatic”
Despite the increased demand for assessments (especially in “previously neglected demographics (e.g. women and girls)”), the national autistic society tells us that there is no corresponding supply.
Even if you pass the “traumatic” waiting time, the diagnostic process is not a simple, fast process and can involve hours of narrative traumatic experiences and focus on perceived deficiencies. ”
Merrit ends, “People with autism and their families face constant support in every aspect of their lives, which often begins with prolonged traumatic waiting for diagnosis.
“The government must provide emergency funding for diagnostic services to eliminate this worsening crisis and ensure that people with autism and their families receive the support they need when they need it.”
