"Neurodevelopment Assessment"

I am the carer of a soon-to-be 10-year-old care-experienced child. They have been on the waiting list for an autism assessment since June 2022, with an ADHD referral added the following year. In addition to this, several professionals across care, education, and health have consistently raised the need for a full cognitive assessment due to ongoing concerns about their learning, emotional and social development.

After moving earlier this year from another local authority into the Glasgow East Team, I was advised—during a very helpful conversation with a lead nurse—that an appointment was likely to take place between September and the end of 2025. However, despite numerous phone calls over recent months to request an update on waiting times, I still have no clear information about when an assessment can be expected. I want to emphasise that I do not blame the reception staff, as they can only share the information available to them. However, the situation is becoming increasingly unacceptable. We are now approaching three and a half years of waiting, and this continued delay is profoundly letting this child down.

I am growing ever more disappointed and frustrated by the lack of clarity around realistic waiting times. More importantly, the child in my care is falling significantly behind their peers both academically and socially. They are becoming increasingly isolated as other children naturally progress through school and daily life. Despite substantial support from their school for 5 years, they remain working within nursery/P1 level curriculum. With their school commenting that a full assessment of their needs and learning needs to be completed as soon as possible.

This child urgently requires a full assessment of their neurodevelopmental and cognitive needs. I am deeply concerned that any further delay will continue to hinder their academic progress, limit their social development, and have long-term consequences for their wellbeing.