Fears for 42,000 waiting list kids

Assessments for neurodivergent patients taking up to 169 weeks

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

AN AUTISM charity boss has demanded faster NHS assessments for children after the Sunday Mail revealed families waiting up to three years.

Scottish Parliament figures show more than 42,000 kids left without a diagnosis for conditions including autism spectrum disorder and ADHD as of March.

In some health boards, referrals are taking an average of 169 weeks, with some patients “aging out” and having to join the adult queue before being seen.

Scottish Autism CEO Dorry McLaughlin insists families must get access to vital services.

She said: “We remain extremely concerned by the long waits for neurodevelopmental assessment being experienced by children and young people.