MORE than 20,000 people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment, a report has revealed.
According to the data revealed at the children and young people select committee, Hampshire County Council is trying to find ways to tackle the 20,000 on the waiting list for an autism spectrum condition (ASC) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder assessment across the county and island.
A report said work is being carried out to analyse demand against current activity and build examples of funding solutions to reduce waiting times.
The report indicates that since April 2024, the entire caseload for Hampshire children and young people is 6,257.
READ MORE: Autism assessment waiting times growing longer in Hampshire
According to the data, 2,584 have been triaged and accepted onto the waiting list, 306 have been referred, 300 have been engaged in assessment, and 110 have completed assessments.
In this regard, Cllr Jackie Porter expressed her disappointment that over 6,000 people are “undiagnosed” and “unmanaged”.
Cllr Porter said: “I was really disappointed to see that over 6,000 people are undiagnosed and unmanaged. Most of us represent a population of about 13,000 people, so if we thought that half of our division was not receiving the treatment or the understanding or the diagnosis that they deserved, then I think we’d all be absolutely appalled.”
A new organisation, ‘The Owl Centre’, has been appointed to provide autism assessment services for children and young people in Hampshire from April 2024 to March 2026.
Due to the appointment of the centre, the number of children’s autism assessments increased to 1,110 for Hampshire in 2024/2025.
The centre has 10 additional Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered clinicians starting in September 2024 and four beginning in November 2024 to further increase assessment delivery during the latter half of 2024.
To further invest and “test and trial” more interventions, NHS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have provided more funding to deliver ‘Autism in Schools’, a national campaign, in the county.
SEE ALSO: Figures find thousands of children with autism or ADHD in Hampshire
To support young people with autism and ADHD as they transition into adults, a pilot community hub will be created to provide early intervention on community living, life skills, further education and employment, and financial and housing advice.
The service will offer 1-2-1 peer support in face-to-face and online group settings. It will focus on providing drop-in sessions for advice, support, and guidance and organising activity groups to encourage skill development.
Additionally, the service will include life skills workshops, emotional support, and advocacy, all of which will be delivered through the community hub.
This service is due to commence in October 2024.
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