Coroner's concern at delay in autism diagnosis for Riley

12-YEAR-OLD WAITED EIGHT MONTHS FOR ASSESSMENT, HIS INQUEST IS TOLD

- By RUCSANDRA MOLDOVEANU

A CORONER has raised concerns about the delays a 12-year-old boy and his family faced when seeking an autism diagnosis in the months before his death.

Riley Townsend, who died aged 12 on September 1, 2024, at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, had been diagnosed with ADHD and was "on the pathway" to be diagnosed with autism.

An inquest held into his death by coroner Amanda Bewley at Nottingham Coroner's Court on Monday, November 24, heard that Riley's behaviour was "becoming increasingly challenging".

Derek Pattle, specialist practitioner within the SPA (single point of access) service, provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), explained Riley came from a "very loving and supporting household".

He said: "Riley was somebody who really struggled with his emotions. He was socially isolated and had few friends at school. Academically, he was doing OK but his sleep was awful and very dysregulated."