Nursery World - Tens of thousands of children waiting months or years for autism support

Tens of thousands of children are waiting months, or even years, for autism support, reveals a new report, which calls for more assessments to take place in nurseries.

A new report highlights the challenges parents face in getting support for their autistic child, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

The report, ‘A country that works for all children and young people: An evidence-based plan for addressing the autism assessment and support crisis’, reveals a ‘crisis’ in children’s autism assessment.

With the number of children accessing autism services now at a record high, it shows how most parents are being left to navigate a complex support system for their autistic child that is ‘hampered by processing delays and waiting lists’.

It is the first report in a year-long series on how to deliver a country that works for all children by the Child of the North initiative in partnership with Anne Longfield’s new Centre for Young Lives think tank.

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