Written Question · S5W-31696 · Session 5
What analysis has been undertaken to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autism diagnosis waiting times and the resulting res…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been undertaken to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on autism diagnosis waiting times and the resulting restrictions on face-to-face appointments with health professionals.
The answer
The National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) Team, commissioned by the Scottish Government, aims to support the delivery of the Scottish Strategy for Autism: Outcomes and Priorities 2018-2021, through facilitating evidence based actions in assessment and Diagnosis for children, young people and adults. In June 2020 NAIT scoped child and adult autism diagnostic services to understand the impact of Covid-19 on autism diagnostic waiting times. The diagnostic services who responded were concerned around an increase in waiting times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most NHS health boards continued to receive referrals for autism diagnostic assessment. In response to autism diagnostic practitioners requests the NAIT team have developed Digital Guidance for completion of autism diagnostic assessment, which can be found at https://www.thirdspace.scot/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NAIT-Guidance-on-Digital-Consultation-for-Neurodevelopmental-Assessment-and-Diagnosis-August-2020.pdf .
This digital autism assessment guidance has been endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Scottish Government Digital Health and Care Scotland.
The NAIT team are now supporting national autism diagnostic services with their recovery of services.
Most NHS health boards continued to receive referrals for autism diagnostic assessment. In response to autism diagnostic practitioners requests the NAIT team have developed Digital Guidance for completion of autism diagnostic assessment, which can be found at https://www.thirdspace.scot/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NAIT-Guidance-on-Digital-Consultation-for-Neurodevelopmental-Assessment-and-Diagnosis-August-2020.pdf .
This digital autism assessment guidance has been endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Scottish Government Digital Health and Care Scotland.
The NAIT team are now supporting national autism diagnostic services with their recovery of services.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-31696 by reference.