New report highlights waits for Autism assessments
Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent has published its latest report. It shows that children in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire are waiting almost two years for an Autism assessment.
The report follows months of talking to parents and carers about a range of issues with the NHS and school.
Known traits of Autism and ADHD are often not recognised in school and children are being punished when their needs are not met.
A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) told a parent their child needed new shoes because they were walking on tiptoes, a known indicator of Autism.
A teenager was disciplined for going to the toilet when they were told not to. When their parent asked them why they had left the classroom, they said it was because they didn’t want to wet themselves in front of their friends.
Children with Autism and ADHD can experience school-related anxiety, which shows up as aches, nausea and needing to go to the toilet.
In line with national trends, the number of children being referred for an Autism assessment is increasing. Last year, 1760 children were referred to North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, compared to 416 in 2018. This demand is overwhelming a service that is under-funded.
Healthwatch are working in partnership with Steve Mitchell and Inter Theatre Company on a workshop that explores some of the issues found during our conversations. If you are interested in attending the workshopp on Thursday 23rd July at 1:00 pm, more details can be found on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1989825558811?aff=oddtdtcreator
