England: 130,000 children waiting for ASD assessment; >25% increase in one yr

Feb 13, 2025, Daily Mail: 'Gold-standard' autism test can spot signs in minutes - as number of UK children waiting for diagnosis jumps by a quarter

The number of children seeking help for suspected autism has spiralled to an all-time high in Covid's wake, official data revealed today.

Almost 130,000 under 18s in England were still awaiting an assessment in December 2024, NHS figures showed. 

It marks a rise of more than a quarter since the same time last year and a staggering six-fold increase on the 20,000 logged in December 2019. 

More than 116,000 children seeking a autism diagnosis are currently forced to wait at least three months to see a professional.

Experts have long warned that young people are facing an an 'invisible crisis', with a system that has repeatedly failed to keep pace with rising demand.  . . .

It is not yet known exactly what causes autism, but it sometimes runs in families.

Some studies suggest it is more common in the children of older parents, as well as mothers who are overweight or suffer pregnancy complications.

Almost 130,000 under 18s in England were still awaiting an assessment in December 2024, NHS figures showedIt marks a rise of more than a quarter on the same time last year and a staggering six-fold increase on the 20,000 logged in December 2019

Around one in 50 youngsters are believed to fall on the spectrum.

A 'seismic' increase in autism awareness in recent years has also seen the NHS recommend people take 10-question quiz — backed by Cambridge University academics — which is accessible online.  . . .

Autistic youngsters may also take longer to get their head around information, or repeat things.

According to the fresh NHS data, 129,179 under-18s had been referred and were awaiting an assessment in December 2024. 

It marked a rise of 26.4 per cent on the 102,200 reported in December 2023.