Aberdeenshire Faces Crisis as Adult Autism and ADHD Assessments Set to Be Axed

‍Aberdeenshire Faces Crisis as Adult Autism and ADHD Assessments Set to Be Axed

1,800 Patients Left in Limbo as Funding Runs Dry

Adults in Aberdeenshire seeking autism and ADHD assessments are facing a devastating blow as the council moves to cut diagnostic services. Despite acknowledging the harm this will cause, the local authority states it has no funding to continue assessments beyond March.

A worrying council report admits the decision will worsen health inequalities and leave vulnerable patients without support. Currently, over 1,800 adults are on the waiting list for an autism or ADHD diagnosis, but without additional funding, they will be left in limbo indefinitely.

Council Admits “Significant Risk” to Patients

Until now, funding from the Scottish Government had enabled NHS Grampian to provide assessments in Aberdeenshire. However, that funding is set to run out at the end of February, leaving the local Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) without the resources to continue.

A council report warns of a “significant risk” to patients, as adults with autism and ADHD will have limited alternative options for diagnosis.

The long-term consequences of cutting assessments include:
✔️ Increased strain on local mental health services as undiagnosed patients struggle without support
✔️ More referrals to psychiatrists, worsening existing NHS backlogs
✔️ Increased pressure on social care services, which are already underfunded
✔️ Higher unemployment rates among undiagnosed autistic and ADHD individuals
✔️ A rise in mental health crises, as undiagnosed neurodivergent people often struggle without formal recognition of their needs

The report also highlights that people with ADHD and autism have an average life expectancy of just 54 years, and are eight times more likely to take their own lives. Despite this, the service is being withdrawn due to financial pressures.

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"A False Economy" – Backlash Over Cuts to Vital Services

The decision has sparked public outrage, with campaigners calling it a false economy. A petition protesting the cuts has already gathered over 1,000 signatures, with many urging the Scottish Government to step in.

One signatory stated:

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🗣️ “We are absolutely devastated to hear this. The loss of this vital service – being blamed on lack of Scottish Government funding – is a false economy.”

Aberdeenshire West Tory MSP Alexander Burnett, co-founder of the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on autism, emphasized the need for government intervention:

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🗣️ “A two-tier system must be avoided at all costs. The Scottish Government should be helping to resource backlogs where it can. There is no way private assessment can be relied on to shoulder the workload.”

Rob Holland, director of Scotland’s National Autistic Society, warned the cuts would drive hundreds of autistic people into crisis:

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🗣️  “This decision will leave hundreds of autistic people in Aberdeenshire without the help and support they need and will drive many of them into crisis.While many public services state that a diagnosis is not needed for an autistic person to receive support, we know that is not the reality in many cases.”

At present, around 1,000 Aberdeenshire adults are waiting for ADHD assessments, while 800 remain in the backlog for autism diagnoses.

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Delays and Long Waiting Times: The Struggle for Diagnosis

The Right to Choose NHS is a fundamental aspect of healthcare in the UK, allowing patients to select their mental healthcare provider and the team responsible for their treatment. This right has been essential for those seeking timely ADHD assessment pathways and autism diagnosis pathways, as it enables them to bypass long waiting lists by choosing alternative NHS-funded providers.

Long wait times for ADHD and autism assessments have already been a major issue in NHS Grampian. Some patients have reported waiting up to two years for an assessment—delays that could now become permanent if the cuts go ahead.

SNP Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd addressed the issue, stating that a combination of factors, including a surge in referrals, had led to longer waiting times. She highlighted the Scottish Government’s £123 million investment in mental health services and £1 million per year for autism support, but did not confirm whether additional funding would be provided to keep diagnostic services running in Aberdeenshire.

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What Happens Next? The Decision Looms

A proposal regarding the future of autism and ADHD assessments in Aberdeenshire is set to be discussed by the Integration Joint Board (IJB) on February 19. However, without emergency funding, it appears likely that services will be withdrawn indefinitely.

For the 1,800 adults waiting for an assessment, the uncertainty is devastating. Many will now have to consider expensive private assessments, which are out of reach for most, or face years of being trapped in a system that does not recognize their needs.

Campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian to urgently intervene before these cuts leave vulnerable adults without hope, support, or a future.

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‍Autism and ADHD Assessment Delays: The Growing Crisis in the UK

Long waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments are leaving thousands without the critical support, care, and medication they need. Since health and education services often require a formal diagnosis to provide assistance, delays in assessment can have serious consequences. A recent report warned that failing to provide timely autism support can lead to:

✅ Higher rates of mental health issues
✅ Increased risk of school exclusions
✅ Difficulties accessing necessary care and accommodations

With an estimated 1.2 million autistic individuals and 2.2 million people with ADHD in England alone, the scale of the challenge is immense. Rising awareness of neurodiversity has led to a surge in diagnostic referrals, placing unprecedented strain on services.

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The Growing Backlog: What Does the Data Say?

Examining the referral rates and waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments is crucial to understanding the extent of the crisis—and driving necessary change.

🚨 In December 2023, the number of patients with an open referral for suspected autism reached a record 172,022—the highest ever reported.

Even when adjusting for changes in data reporting, the backlog of suspected autism referrals has increased more than five-fold since 2019.

This data underscores an urgent need for investment in diagnostic services, better support systems, and policy changes to ensure that neurodivergent individuals receive timely and effective care.

The question remains: what steps will be taken to address these growing delays?

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