Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Jo-Anne Dobson MLA, has challenged Department of Health Officials to reform Northern Ireland Autism services at a hearing of the Stormont Health Committee.

Mrs Dobson, who last month revealed that the number of children waiting for an autism spectrum assessment has increased by 280% over the last five years, said:

“I have met with so many parents who face a double dilemma – getting to grips with the fact that their son or daughter is a little bit different from their peers but then fighting an over-complicated system where waiting times for assessments and treatments continue to rise.

“It is very clear that the current system is failing children who need specialist help and support at an early age and a new integrated model is absolutely vital if those children are not to continue to be failed.

“With officials confirming to me that referrals are increasing by up to 12% this year alone and that to the end of March this year they are expecting 3,300 assessments it is clear that the failing system must be reformed.

“I pay tribute once again to the work of the Southern Trusts multi-disciplinary Autism team who are currently working to carry out assessments for the Belfast Trust.  A much greater degree of joined up working is needed here to ensure that the right level of workforce is in place to ensure that we can help children and young people to receive the support as early as possible.

“Early intervention is absolutely critical and an issue which has, in far too many cases, left children and young people without the support they need, and if and when it does come, that support can in many cases be too late. 

“Support must be put in place before diagnosis – given the lengthening waiting times – those children who need help must get it as soon as possible. 

“I have met with a considerable number of parents and they want to see a system which responds to the needs of young children as early as possible – including before the assessments have been completed – so that no child is left behind.

“The current system of assessment and intervention has failed too many children in the past who have been denied the essential help and support which could have made a real impact on their lives at a young age. 

“Any new model of delivery must ensure that those people – many of whom will be into adulthood - receive attention and support under the new model post 18 years of age and older.  A health system which has failed young people in the past as children must ensure that they are not failed again in adulthood. 

“The very first thing that needs to happen is ensuring we have a sufficient workforce that has the capacity to deliver these assessments, because until we do waiting times, as was confirmed to me by officials, will inevitably continue to deteriorate.”