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Significant Increase in Autism Assessment Waiting List England
The number of people waiting for an autism assessment in England has significantly increased by fivefold since 2019, reaching 172,022 open referrals in December 2023. This surge is not merely due to more data reporting but also reflects a rise in the number of individuals seeking assessments. The data accuracy is questioned, but even with a slight margin of error, the volume remains substantial. The waiting time for the first appointment exceeds the target of 13 weeks, with most individuals waiting over nine months. In contrast to autism, the NHS data related to ADHD is less comprehensive, leading to a focus on the number of individuals prescribed medication for ADHD.