A 12-year-old boy has died after waiting three years for an autism diagnosis, prompting renewed concerns about delays in the assessment process. The charity Ambitious about Autism reported that almost half of parents surveyed waited 18 months or more for a formal diagnosis, with some families waiting up to three years.
The charity polled nearly 4,000 parents of children with autism, finding that many felt 'isolated and helpless' during the wait. Even after diagnosis, about 70% of parents said they were not offered adequate support, with some left without follow-up appointments or information about support groups.
Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of Ambitious about Autism, said: 'Autistic children have so much potential but we know that the earlier they can benefit from the right support and interventions, the easier it is for them to thrive.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Autistic people deserve a timely diagnosis, in line with Nice guidelines, to help them access the right support. Increasing the help available is one of the top priorities in our NHS long-term plan.'
