North East children waiting longer for autism diagnosis than those in the south

Children in the North of England are waiting up to three years longer than those in the south for an autism diagnosis, report shows

Author: Sophie GreenPublished 21st Sep 2025

A report has found that children in the North of England are waiting up to three years longer than those in the south for an autism diagnosis.

The data, released by NHS England, reveals that in Mid and South Essex kids waited on average 54 days for an assessment.

However, children in South Yorkshire are waiting on average over 1060 days.

Ella Bains, County Durham mum to three SEND kids and founder of the charity Eric Knows, said: "When children are let down, it almost takes that to the next level as it really should not be happening, not in this day and age or in today's society.

"I have actually heard of some children waiting, or being told, that their wait is as long as nine years.

"No one should ever have to suffer as a result of that difference between what's available to somebody, statistically speaking, in the south of England to what's available to somebody who is in the north of England."

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