Thousands of people across Wales are facing long waits for autism assessments as neurodevelopmental services strain under growing demand.
According to research from the Senedd Research, by June 2023, 67 % of children and young people referred for an autism or ADHD assessment had already waited more than 26 weeks, and around 45 % had been waiting over a year.
For adults seeking a diagnosis, the situation appears even worse. Data shows that some adult waiting lists extend to 95.1 weeks on average – nearly two years.
A postcode lottery for access
Waiting times vary dramatically between health boards. For example, in the area covered by Hywel Dda University Health Board (Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire), the average wait for an adult neurodevelopmental assessment was reported as 75 weeks as of March 2024.
A national target set by the Welsh Government aims for 80 % of children and young people to receive a first neurodevelopmental assessment within 26 weeks. That target has not been met for several years. In contrast, there is currently no comparable target for adult assessments. GOV.WALES+2ITVX+2
Why demand is rising and capacity is stretched
Clinicians attribute rising demand to greater public awareness of autism, improved understanding of autism in women and girls, and growing recognition of autism in adults – including those who mask their traits or were undiagnosed in childhood.
Between February 2022 and December 2023, the number of children and young people waiting for ADHD or autism assessment rose by 87 % across Wales, according to Senedd data.
Meanwhile, services cite staff shortages, inconsistent provision across regions and funding constraints as major factors limiting how many assessments can be completed.
Real human cost of delay
Advocates warn that long waits can leave individuals and families living in uncertainty – without access to vital educational support, workplace adjustments or mental health care. For many, formal diagnosis brings clarity, understanding, and access to much-needed services.
The director of a private assessment provider, Jo Condon, commented: “For many people, a diagnosis isn’t simply a label — it’s a key to understanding themselves, accessing support and planning for the future. With long waits across Wales, demand for private autism and ADHD assessments continues to rise.”
Can recent investment resolve the backlog?
In February 2025, the Welsh Government committed an additional £13.7 million for neurodivergence services – aiming to expand assessment capacity, strengthen early-help pathways and support recruitment.
Officials hope these measures will significantly improve wait times by 2027. Yet experts warn that lasting improvement also depends on workforce stability, consistent data collection and equal priority for adult and child services.
Meanwhile, many families continue to rely on private assessment services to access timely diagnosis and support.
