ABANDONED ON THE NHS

MSP says families are being 'gaslit' as 28,000 children are left in queue for appointment and are forced to shell out £5k to go private

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

MORE THAN 28,000 children are on waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments with some left over four years without an appointment.

Parents have spoken of the “emotional devastation” at not being able to get the help they desperately need for the neurodiverse conditions because services are unable to cope with demand.

Daniel Johnson MSP has said families are being “gaslit on an epic scale” by the Scottish Government in response to the shocking findings of our investigation and called the crisis a “national scandal”.

Figures we obtained from Scottish health boards through freedom of information revealed as of September at least 28,487 kids were on NHS waiting lists desperately seeking preliminary investigations for autism and ADHD.

That figure represents a rise of 4489 on the past year despite the fact the neurodivergent are more likely to encounter worsening physical and mental issues if left without treatment and support.

Many desperate parents we spoke to told how they have been forced to seek diagnosis and treatment privately - but at a cost of up to £5000, that is an option many cannot afford.

Politicians, parents and charities have now demanded quicker access to vital assessments and life-changing support for children.