Neurodiversity: Diagnosis
(asked on 21st April 2026) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on school attendance, mental health and family stability among children awaiting ADHD and autism assessments.
The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will make the National Health Service fit for the future, and reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities focus will improve early intervention and support.
It is the responsibility of integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to autism assessments and ADHD services, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
The Medium-Term Planning Framework, published 24 October, sets out expectations for local areas to improve access to autism and ADHD services, and was explicit that ICBs and providers are expected to optimise existing resources to reduce long waits for autism and ADHD assessments and improve the quality of assessments by implementing existing and new guidance, as published.
NHS England introduced Activity Management Plans to help manage variably funded activity when providers risk exceeding their Indicative Activity Plans.
There is a statutory requirement for ICBs to remain within annual funding allocations and to deliver on agreed financial plans. Providers are not asked to close referrals or prevent access to the pathway but, where required, once planned activity levels have been met, they are asked to manage new referrals on a waiting list until they have capacity within their contracted activity envelope.
There is guidance for the use and implementation of Indicative Activity Plans and Activity Management Plans, detailed in the NHS Standard Contract Technical Guidance. We are absolutely clear that use of these must not restrict patients' choice of provider.
The Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) understands that waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment can be difficult for individuals and families, and is committed to improving access to meaningful support while people wait.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight redesigned a clinically-optimum diagnostic model on 31 March 2026. As part of their wider transformation programme, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight ICB is introducing new services designed to offer earlier help, even when a formal diagnosis has not yet been made.
From 1 April 2026, every area in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will have a place based Children’s Neurodiversity Team. These teams will:
- bring together professionals across education and healthcare;
- offer practical advice, support, and guidance for families; and
- support children based on their needs, without requiring a diagnosis;
While patients are waiting for a Right to Choose ADHD or Autism assessment there are a range of services to access for support, which are available at the following link:
More broadly, in December 2025, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, launched the independent review into the Prevalence and Support for mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. The review is chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy, with vice chairs Professor Sir Simon Wessely and Professor Gillian Baird.
The final report, due in the summer, will make recommendations on how the Government, the health system, and the wider public services can respond to increasing demand for support more fairly and effectively so that people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place.