Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to improve the identification and assessment of (1) children, and (2) adults, with autism.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guideline, Recognition, referral and diagnosis of children and young people on the autism spectrum aims to improve the diagnosis, and experience of children, young people and those who care for them. It recommends the establishment of multidisciplinary autism teams in local areas. Health Education England has developed the online MindED portal, which contains learning resources for enhancing the effectiveness of working with children, young people, and young adults who are on the autistic spectrum.

The draft statutory guidance on implementing the updated Adult Autism Strategy sets out the Government’s intention to require health bodies to develop adult autism diagnostic pathways. NHS England is planning to use their local audit teams to provide assurance that the diagnostic process is suitable.