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.
According to the stats, however, waits were also high among adults, with a record 84,000 seeking an assessment in December 2024 — a rise of almost a fifth on the same time in 2023.
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 showed
It 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 (stock image)
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.
It does not confirm whether you are on the spectrum. Instead it is used as a gold-standard screening tool.
Clinicians who suspect patients to be autistic based on their answers to the test are then typically passed on for specialist assessments.
Children with autism can find it hard to make eye contact, understand how others feel, or have a keen interest in certain topics.
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.
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Of these, 116,109 had been waiting longer than the NHS recommended 13 weeks, meaning almost 9 in 10 kids had been stuck for over three months.
Among adults, the figure stood at 83,837 in December 2024 — up 18.7 per cent on the 70,604 logged in the same month in the previous year.
Some 75,564 had also been left waiting over 13 weeks, also accounting for nine in ten referrals.
The delays have been slammed by experts who call the system ‘broken’ and called for change or risk people missing out on ‘early vital support’.
Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: ‘Rocketing waiting lists mean people are waiting years for an autism assessment and missing out on early vital support. This broken system must change.’
The online NHS tool, which helps clinicians refer patients for an autism assessment, gives a ‘general indication’ of whether someone may have autism, the health service says.
Known as the AQ-10 test, questions revolve around someone’s ability to focus on tasks and understand other people’s intentions and emotions.
If you score six or more, your GP might consider referring you for further tests. This does not mean you definitely have autism, however.
It comes as the Children’s Commisioner Dame Rachel de Souza (pictured) last year warned that kids forced to wait years for autism diagnoses on the NHS are being ‘robbed’ of their childhoods
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which links to the tool in its autism advice page, says: ‘If you suspect that you may be autistic you can then make an appointment to see a GP.
‘Offer them the results from the AQ-10, if you have done it, (if you have not done the AQ-10 then the GP should go through the questions with you), and ask them to refer you to a diagnostic pathway.’
It comes as the Children’s Commisioner last year warned that kids forced to wait years for autism diagnoses on the NHS are being ‘robbed’ of their childhoods.
Data, accessed by the independent watchdog, shows one in six children seeking an autism diagnosis waited more than four years via the NHS’s community services.
Autism is not a disease and people have it from the moment they are born, although it may not be spotted until childhood and sometimes much later.
Autism exists on a spectrum. Some people will be able to lead fully functioning lives with no additional help. Others may need full-time assistance.
