Long Waiting Lists For Autism Diagnosis Unjustifiable - SDLP

An SDLP MLA has condemned the "absolutely shocking" length of time required to reach an autism diagnosis in Northern Ireland, after revealing that the amount of people waiting has increased by 28% in the last year.

897 children in the Northern Health Trust area are currently awaiting their initial appointment following referral, according to statistics obtained by John Dallat MLA through a Freedom of Information request.

"These figures are utterly depressing and are a huge additional burden for parents who want the earliest intervention for their children," the East L'Derry MLA said.

"At this stage many of them have been robbed of the benefits of early intervention and are already facing a very challenging world without the support they should have had."

Mr Dallat explained that early detection can increase the likelihood that children will excel in their educational development, but added that the issue is not limited to youngsters as 172 adults are also waiting for appointments.

"This subject was debated in the Assembly for 20 years but even today the number of teachers with training in Autism is insufficient and not meeting the demand," he added.

"Regrettably, this is yet another major issue being neglected with little concern about the rights of all children to be treated equally. It is wrong, immoral and unjustified.

"It is soul-destroying that we do not have the resources and an Assembly to drive this issue forward."



(JG)