To ask the Minister of Health whether there is a support pathway for families and young people following a diagnosis of autism.

Within the Health and Social Care Trusts, Paediatric Autism services currently offer post diagnostic support including personalised needs-based care plans. At the end of the assessment process for Autism, parents and children/young people depending upon their age and level of understanding will have a clinical consultation which will include discussion around post-diagnostic support and intervention for ASD. The assessing Clinician may also refer to other services; based on the individual needs identified during the assessment; for example, Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

While Trusts have developed a range of post-diagnostic supports within their existing resources, implementing a universal, standardised package is not feasible without regional commissioning, recurring investment, and multi-agency alignment.

My Department has issued the Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Framework for public consultation. The Framework endorses an inclusive, needs-based approach to neurodiversity designed to help reduce stigma and the perceived need to obtain a diagnosis in order to access support through Health and Education services. The Framework will include options for support at both pre and post assessment intervals whether a diagnosis is confirmed or not. Response to the consultation has been very positive and officials are currently considering the feedback on offer.

My Department is currently operating within a constrained budget and is required to make decisions in relation to the work that can be delivered within current resources. Any decision to commission services in the future will be based on an assessment of the level of demand for services.