Unacceptable Disability Legislation Breach

Up to 3,850 children are waiting for their initial Assessment of Need. Children with signs of autism make up a large portion of this figure. Under the Disability Act 2005, this is meant to take place within 6 months. This is not happening. It is unacceptable and in breach of the legislation.

Parents need this assessment to go on and seek a full diagnosis and, ultimately, to access services.

Many parents have lost faith in the system and the long waiting lists and have given up on applying for these assessments or have had to try to beg or borrow the money to do the assessments privately. This isn’t right. This means that people who have the money are able to get the assessments and those who don’t have money are deprived of them.

Resources must be allocated to underpin the convention on the rights of people with disabilities.