AQW 37719/22-27

Miss Nuala McAllister
Alliance Party
North Belfast

Tabled Date: 07/01/2026
Answered On Date: 22/01/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 36508/22-27, whether there is an obligation to offer all parents a clinician, either medical or allied health professional, appointment following an autism diagnosis.

Answer:

There is no obligation to offer all parents a clinician appointment, either medical or allied health professional, following an autism diagnosis.

As advised in AQW 36508/22-27, the assessing Clinician will make appropriate onward referrals if indicated based on the individual needs identified during the assessment. Onward referral may be to Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).