Over 1,800 children on waiting list for ASD assessment

THERE  are over 1,800 children and young people currently on the waiting list to undergo assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Southern Health Trust.  

 The figure was detailed in response to a freedom of information request into the overall number of individuals currently on the waiting list for autism assessment. 

As of January 27, 2026,  there were 1,853 children or young people on the waiting list for an assessment of Autism and 488  adult clients on the waiting list for an adult ASD diagnostic assessment.

This makes for a   total of 2,341 individuals currently on the waiting list for autism assessment throughout the entirety of the Southern Health Trust.

 The statistic comes in the wake of the  Education Minister Paul Givan instructing  all schools to set up classes for children with special educational needs (SEN).

In a letter to all school leaders,  the minister  said he now required "all mainstream schools" to work with the Education Authority (EA) to put the provision in place.

 Shocking Stastics

Commenting in the wake of the figure being disclosed was Newry Gateway Club member Paddy Duffy described the number of children and young people currently on the waiting list for assessment of autism in the Southern Trust area as shocking.     

“I am shocked at these figures, the amount of people who are on the waiting list to be statemented” said Paddy

“There needs to be a lot more done for people with Autism. “

Speaking from his own first hand experience working within the Newry Gateway Club, which since 1973 has been on the frontline in helping those in the community with additional needs, the main challenge that faces those children and young people who have a statement of autism is what to do when they turn 19.

“When these young people become 19, there is nothing really for them to take on to do in a meaningful way to get from 9am to 5pm every day.

“There is no meaningful employment or no meaningful facility where they can do tasks to keep them occupied.

“Yes, we can cater for some people in Gateway that are on the spectrum but we don’t specialise in Autism, we cover the whole range of disability. 

“I find that the parents of children with Autism are totally frustrated in that there is nothing for them to do after they become 19. Once they become 19 the Education Authority part company with them.

“There needs to be facilities specialised for those with Autism and there needs to be people trained with the expertise and the knowledge. There are no two autistic people the same, the spectrum is so wide.

“The other side of the coin is there are some people with  Autism who tell you they don't need help. Their independence goes beyond the pale sometimes and they are self-sufficient. There are a lot of professional people who have touches of Autism.”