Scotland: 28,000 kids on waiting lists for ASD/ADHD assessments; up to 4 yr wait
- The end of childhood
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
Nov 9, 2025, Glasgow Live: Scots children waiting years for autism and ADHD assessments as demand increases
In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, 9,960 children face delays of up to 3.9 years as parents speak of the "emotional devastation" at being unable to get the help they need.
More than 28,000 Scots children are on waiting lists for autism and ADHD assessments – with some waiting four years without an appointment.
Parents have spoken of the "emotional devastation" at being unable to get the help they desperately need for neurodiverse conditions because services cannot meet demand. . . .
The staggering figure represents an increase of 4489 on the previous year despite the fact that neurodivergent people are more likely to experience worsening physical and mental health issues if left without treatment and support.
In NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a total of 9,960 children face delays of up to 3.9 years - an increase of 1,906 from 8,054 the previous year.
In NHS Ayrshire and Arran, 2,262 youngsters are waiting up to 3.8 years whilst in NHS Lanarkshire, 9,600 children face a 3.5 year delay.
Many desperate parents we spoke to revealed how they have been forced to seek diagnosis and treatment privately - but at a cost of up to £5,000 [$6,500] that is an option many families cannot afford.
Politicians, parents and charities have now demanded quicker access to vital assessments and life-changing support for children.
Daniel Johnson MSP says families are being "gaslit on an epic scale" by the Scottish Government in response to the shocking findings of our investigation and branded the crisis a "national scandal". . . .
The Scottish Children's Services Coalition (SCSC) represents an alliance of top providers delivering specialist care and education to vulnerable youngsters.
They commented: "These statistics, while deeply alarming, are no surprise.
"Behind each of these individuals languishing on waiting lists, for years in many cases, is a desperate child waiting to receive the care and support they are entitled to.
"Failure to provide a timely assessment means that access to adequate support is being delayed, creating significant stress and frustration. . . .
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said:"We are taking action to improve support for children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs.
"We are investing an additional £500,000 [$658,000] this year to improve access to support for children, young people and families and, together with COSLA, we have set up a new Children and Young People's Neurodevelopment Taskforce to drive real improvements."
Last week, numerous ADHD services in England announced they were closing their doors to new NHS patients due to overwhelming demand.
As of March, more than 42,000 kids across Scotland were awaiting neuro-developmental assessments across all conditions according to figures from the Scottish Parliament.
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