2065 children in the East are waiting 13 weeks or longer for autism assessments
Figures show nearly a 10% increase on previous figures in 2020
New research reveals that children across the East have experienced a rise in autism assessment waiting times.
According to NHS data, 2065 children in the region are waiting 13-weeks or more for their first autism appointment.
In 2020, 1890 children faced long waits, so we've seen nearly a 10% increase in the last 4 years.
Dr Annie Clements, the founder of the charity Autism and ADHD in Suffolk, told us some of the reasons for the increase: "The amount of knowledge and information out there and social media has played a really positive part in that, some of it is also where there was a sudden realisation around females having Autism spectrum disorders which has been missed and also children being accessed and we also know there is a hereditary element."
She added: "Not knowing and having the right support early on means mental health issues, depression all the other things start to come in from the other side, eating disorders, self medication, drink, drugs.
"People will use other things to prop them up and so it just creates bigger issues the further down the line they go with that."
You can find out more about the support available from Autism and ADHD on their website.