Disparity in Autism Diagnoses Across the UK: Northern Children Face Longer Waits

Recent analysis reveals a significant disparity in the waiting times for autism assessments between children in northern and southern England. New data from NHS England shows that while children in regions such as Mid and South Essex wait an average of just 54 days for an autism diagnosis--well within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines of 13 weeks--children in South Yorkshire face alarmingly longer delays, averaging around 1,063 days, which equates to nearly three years.

This report, released by the Child of the North initiative, highlights a broader issue regarding autism assessments across the country. Alarmingly, only 4.5% of children under 18 with referrals for autism have received appointments within the recommended 13-week timeframe throughout England. Furthermore, the data indicates a stark disparity in diagnosis rates, with girls of Pakistani heritage being 11 times less likely to receive an autism diagnosis compared to their white British male counterparts.

The findings are part of the report titled Autism Assessment and Support Update: The Crisis is Worsening, marking the first release under the #ChildrenFirst campaign initiated by the Child of the North initiative. Professor Mark Mon-Williams from the University of Leeds, who oversaw the report, emphasized the escalating crisis in the autism assessment process, stating that urgent reforms are necessary to address these significant delays and disparities.

At a recent National Opportunity Summit in Leeds, the campaign was launched to promote evidence-based solutions aimed at improving the assessment process and ensuring timely support for all children. Minister Josh MacAllister, on his first day as Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department for Education, expressed his commitment to supporting efforts that ensure children across the country receive the help they need.

The #ChildrenFirst campaign builds on previous reports addressing critical issues impacting child health in northern England, including poverty, special educational needs, school attendance, and mental health. These reports have provided actionable recommendations aimed at policymakers to facilitate meaningful change.

In addition to the report, the campaign includes the introduction of toolkits designed to assist schools, child health professionals, and local authorities in implementing practical improvements in health and well-being for children and young people. These toolkits will be released weekly over the next three months and will complement the re-release of previous reports in the A country that works for all children and young people series, which is a collaborative effort between the N8 Research Partnership, Health Equity North, and the Centre for Young Lives think tank.

Baroness Anne Longfield, the founder of the Centre for Young Lives, highlighted the growing number of children awaiting autism assessments and the resulting stress on families. She noted that an effective system must respond to the needs of autistic children without waiting for a formal diagnosis before providing necessary support. The evidence-based solutions proposed in the toolkits aim to empower practitioners and local governments to enhance the support systems in place.

All twelve reports produced under this initiative are based on comprehensive research conducted by experts in child health from various universities across northern England and beyond. These reports have played a crucial role in shaping the Government's Opportunity Mission, which seeks to eliminate the correlation between a person's background and their future prospects, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life.

Professor Mon-Williams reiterated the importance of a healthy, educated population, stating that building a supportive environment for children and young people is essential for the future. The campaign aims to establish the necessary changes to improve outcomes for the next generation, relying on the evidence-based solutions provided in the reports.