Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if the Government will widen access to early diagnosis and support services for all developmental neurodiverse conditions as a preventative public health measure.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for providing guidance on the prevention and treatment of ill health and the promotion of good health and social care. NICE has published clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of autism in adults and children and young people (under the age of 19) and on the diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children over three years, young people and adults. These guidelines aim to improve the diagnosis of people with these conditions as well as improving the quality of care and support they receive.

We expect clinical commissioning groups to take account of clinical guidelines published by NICE when commissioning services for their local populations. Whilst clinical guidelines are not mandatory, adherence to them will support improvements in the quality of care and services.

NHS England is developing new mental health pathways for adults, children and young people with mental health diagnoses and co-morbid neurodevelopmental disorders. These could benefit people with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders who have mental health needs by facilitating better and faster diagnosis.