Children face 'four-year wait for neurodiversity diagnosis'

SOME children have waited up to four years for a neurodiversity assessment, a North Wales council scrutiny committee heard.

- By RICHARD EVANS Local Democracy Reporter

The claim was raised during a meeting of Conwy Council's social care and health scrutiny committee at Coed Pella, where senior representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board faced pressure to explain long waiting lists for children with conditions such as autism.

It was revealed at the meeting that nearly 3,000 children in Conwy and Denbighshire are currently on the waiting list for a neurodiversity assessment.

Alison Cowell, Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board’s assistant area director for child and adolescent health, acknowledged the delays and admitted the service is under strain.

The National Autistic Society expressed concern at the “unacceptably long waiting times” for a diagnosis.

Councillor Cathy Augustine, the cabinet member for children, families, and safeguarding, expressed concern about the numbers of children still waiting for an assessment.