McCarthy shocked by delays in autism diagnosis

Alliance Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy MLA, has expressed his shock after it was revealed that over 1,300 children are waiting to be assessed to find out if they have autism. Waiting lists are meant to be around 13 weeks, but some children have been waiting over a year.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “I was shocked by the revelations that over 1,300 children are waiting to be assessed to find out if they have autism. These long delays must be increasing the level of stress for these children and their families.

“It is time that something was done about this problem. These delays are affecting the education and well-being of these children.

“While there are delays in children being assessed, I have also been informed that it can take several months for the health service and the local education board to provide help once a child has been diagnosed as having autism.”

ENDS