AQW 24279/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 14/10/2021
Answered On Date: 03/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the average waiting time, after referral, for a child to receive an autism assessment by an educational psychologist, broken down by constituency.

Answer:

The Education Authority does not hold this information.

Children are referred for statutory assessment based on potential special educational needs (SEN). Autism Spectrum Disorder is a medical need and not every autistic child has a SEN.

Some children undergoing statutory assessment fall under the overarching SEN category of 'Social, Behavioural, Emotional & Wellbeing' or 'Speech, Language and Communication Needs', as they have Autism Spectrum Disorder or end up with a diagnosis of autism. There are also autistic children in other overarching SEN categories.