More than three-quarters of people with suspected autism in Bristol, north Somerset and South Gloucestershire experienced a prolonged wait for a diagnosis

File photo dated 24/01/16 of a preschool age child playing with plastic building blocks. Parents have less time to read, play, and cook healthy meals with their children as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, according to a new poll. Issue date: Monday September 11, 2023.

Waits for autism diagnoses in Bristol, north Somerset and South Gloucestershire exceeded the recommended limit for more than three-quarters of patients, new figures show.

Autism is a lifelong condition which impacts how people communicate and interact with the world.

It is normally diagnosed at a young age, although some may receive a diagnosis as teenagers or into adulthood.

The National Autistic Society expressed concerns over the long waits, which it said can increase patients’ “likelihood of reaching crisis point” and called on the Government to invest in diagnosis services.

NHS Digital figures show around 55 of 70 adults and children suspected of having autism in Bristol, north Somerset and South Gloucestershire were waiting at least 13 weeks for a diagnosis in June. Of those, 20 were under 18.

However, it was a decrease from last year's figure, when those who were forced to wait beyond the recommended time during the same period were 70.

Across England, more than 143,000 people were waiting for an autism assessment in June, around 20,000 more than last year. Of those, more than 118,000 had a referral that had been open for longer than the recommended time.

Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said waiting lists will continue to grow unless urgent long-term funding for diagnosis services is provided.

She added: "People often can’t get the right help and support without an autism diagnosis, and long waits for diagnosis and support can leave people in a difficult situation and increase their likelihood of reaching crisis point.

"The Government must invest in diagnosis services, as set out in the national autism strategy, to reduce waiting times and ensure all autistic children, young people and adults get the support they need."

In Bristol, north Somerset and South Gloucestershire, around 15 patients seen in June had waited more than 13 weeks to get their first appointment.

A Department of Health and Social Care Spokesperson said: “We know it’s vital to have a timely diagnosis of autism. NHS England recently published a national framework and operational guidance to set out how children, young people and adults can receive a timely assessment, and we’ve made £4.2 million available this year to improve services for autistic children and young people.

“We expect Integrated Care Boards and NHS Trusts to follow the clinical guidelines on autism published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and this year, we are also updating the Statutory Guidance on Autism to support the NHS and local authorities to deliver improved outcomes for autistic people.”