'We're failing these children': 30 months to get autism assessment

There is a 30-month waiting list for primary care assessments for autism in Cork city.

Children with complex disability needs are waiting 11.75 months on average for access to disability services.

In parallel, almost one in four health and social care posts in Cork city Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) are vacant.

Labour councillor for Cork City South West, Ciara O’Connor, who works as an early years educator, said: “I see first-hand the heartbreak and frustration families face when children wait years — often not until they’ve started school — before they can access an autism assessment.

“We’re failing these children at a time when timely help can change the entire course of their lives. The system must be reformed.”

Under Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, a child under the age of five is entitled to apply for an assessment of need.

Once an application is accepted, the assessment must begin within three months of the application date. It must be completed within a further three months. This is not a diagnostic assessment, but it is meant to identify health and education needs, which can include autism-specific diagnostic evaluation.

For children over the age of five, or for a formal ASD diagnosis, there is no separate statutory timeframe under current Irish law.

Ms O’Connor added: “There have been widespread delays and backlogs, with the HSE often failing to meet the six-month legal deadline.”

“Early intervention is absolutely critical. It’s during those early developmental years that timely supports can have the most meaningful impact.”

Cork senator and Labour Party spokesperson for disability, Laura Harmon, said: “Behind these statistics are families who are being severely let down by the State.

“We need to see joined-up implementation and recruitment plans to ensure that assessments are provided on time for all children and adults who need them.”

A HSE spokesperson said: “The HSE and its Section 38 and Section 39 lead agencies are operating in a very competitive global market for healthcare talent, as there are significant shortages of qualified healthcare professionals across the globe.

“This is impacting on the filling of posts and, as such, impacts on full delivery of service to families.

“HSE South West Disability Services, in conjunction with the lead agencies, continue to make all efforts to fill posts as quickly as possible and put any measures possible in place.”