DESPITE NHS guidelines ruling that children suspected of having autism should be screened within three months, parents in south Essex are being forced to face waits of up to two years.

Essex County Council’s latest report into the issue, which shows appointments often take up to 15 months, has been met with mounting frustration from those whose children are on the waiting list.

Autism Spectrum Disorder, known as ASD, is a lifelong developmental disability. Its core symptoms include language impairment, social deficits and repetitive behaviours.

The condition, which can also bring mood disorders, requires a fast diagnosis to help autistic people, and their families, to receive crucial help to get by in life.

One parent, who wants to remain anonymous, told how his five-year-old son, who is struggling at a mainstream school, has been waiting 16 months for an assessment.

In contrast, another parent told how their 12-year-old son is “flying high” socially and academically after receiving an early assessment four years ago.

In response to the findings, South Essex Mental Health Partnership (SEPT) has increased funding into its Aspergers service and invested in training for additional staff to carry out assessments.

One parent, who lives in Rayleigh, which is covered by Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Being on the waiting list is very stressful. Initially, when my wife took my son to the doctor, she was told he was ‘just a naughty child’.

“We finally managed to get him on the list. We’ve been waiting for a year, and six months ago we were told by the CCG the waiting list is now 18 months.”

The father-of-three, who also has a seven-year-old with attention deficit disorder, added: “Our youngest son struggles with his temper, especially when you have to get him dressed for school, and I have scratches all over my arms from trying to get him dressed every day. It’s tough because they are the loveliest children when they are happy.”

He told that when autism specialists at Southend’s Lighthouse Child Development Centre referred his son to Kent’s Lorna Wing Centre for Autism for diagnosis, the family were in high hopes. But those hopes have so far come to nothing.

He added: “The waiting list needs money thrown at it.

“One of the most frustrating things is we have not been told when our boys will be seen.

“In frustration I recently phoned the Lorna Wing Centre directly. I was devestated to be told the CCG’s contract with the Lorna Wing ends in July, and neither of our boys’ names are on the list for treatment before that time.”

“We have tried to talk to the CCG, the Lighthouse Centre and our doctor, and nobody will give us a straight answer about where they are on the waiting list.”

“Our boys’ school has been great, but without a diagnosis we have little chance of getting our youngest into a special school that is tailored to his needs.”

The Lorna Wing Centre for Autism is recognised internationally for its pioneering work in diagnosis.

Mark and Allison Austin, of Maryland Avenue, Canvey, had their son Connor diagnosed there aged eight.

They said: “It must be so hard parenting a child who hasn’t been diagnosed.

“Luckily, when Connor was at William Read School his condition was picked up on quickly.

“He was seen in about four months, and since the diagnosis life has been so much easier.

“He currently goes to Cornelius School on Canvey, and his teachers say he is already at GCSE level.

“We believe this is down to the support we all received after the diagnosis.”

The Echo contacted Castle Point and Rochford Clinical Commissioning Group for comment but did not receive a response before going to print.

If you have experienced similar issues with the ASD waiting list, please email sean.axtell@nqe.com

  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on autism say that people should wait no longer than three months.

A total of 55 per cent of respondents to the National Autism Society’s latest survey said it took too longer to get a diagnosis. Half said the process was too stressful.

Autism affects more than 1 in 100 people.

Over 700,000 people in UK are autistic, which means that 2.8m people have a relative on the autism spectrum.

It is a lifelong condition.