{
  "id": 11234635,
  "title": "It’s cruel to delay ADHD and autism assessments for children | Letter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/its-cruel-to-delay-adhd-and-autism-assessments-for-children-letter",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:38:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Health",
    "slug": "guardian-health",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/oct/01/its-cruel-to-delay-adhd-and-autism-assessments-for-children"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The decision by certain NHS integrated care boards to enforce a minimum two-year wait for ADHD and autism assessments in children is an act of cruelty, according to Anna Bird. This lengthy waiting period inflicts significant harm on young individuals and their families, and ultimately proves to be a financial burden for taxpayers.\n\nImagine the long-term damage inflicted on a six-year-old child who must endure a two-year wait for an assessment of a physical condition. The same principle applies to autism and ADHD diagnoses. A quarter of a child's life, as well as their future potential, is put on hold by state bodies that should be providing support to all children.\n\nThis delay in receiving the necessary medical and practical assistance hinders young people from learning, forming friendships, and achieving everyday milestones that other children take for granted.",
  "summary": "Anna Bird says the decision by some NHS integrated care boards to impose a two-year minimum wait is harmful to young people and their families Blocking assessments of children with neurodivergent conditions for over two years is cruel to children, deeply damaging to families and ultimately more costly to taxpayers ( NHS bodies in England impose two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}