The number of children waiting for an autism diagnosis in Suffolk has increased dramatically since 2019, according to new NHS Digital figures.
The big picture: Around 2,790 children in Suffolk and North East Essex had an open referral for autism diagnosis as of the end of June 2024.
84% of these children have been waiting at least 13 weeks for a diagnosis.
This is a stark increase from June 2019, when only 90 children were waiting for a diagnosis in the area.
Why it matters: Autism is a lifelong condition affecting how people communicate and interact with the world. Timely autism diagnoses are crucial for children to receive appropriate support and interventions.
The recommended timeframe for a diagnosis is 13 weeks, but the data shows most children in Suffolk are waiting far longer.
Zoom out: The trend is not unique to Suffolk. Every area in England has seen an increase in children waiting for autism diagnoses following the pandemic.
What they're saying:
NHS England acknowledged the impact of Covid-19, stating: "Covid-19 has negatively impacted autistic children's mental wellbeing."
The Department of Health and Social Care said: "It is unacceptable that too many children and young people are not receiving the care they deserve but we are working to reform the NHS to make it fit for the future."
What's next: NHS England says it is carrying out more autism diagnoses than ever before, but the backlog created by the pandemic continues to pose challenges.
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