All 1 Debates between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Bambos Charalambous

Autism Diagnosis

Debate between Nick Thomas-Symonds and Bambos Charalambous
Wednesday 13th September 2017

(7 years, 3 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Bambos Charalambous Portrait Bambos Charalambous (Enfield, Southgate) (Lab)
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I beg to move,

That this House has considered a waiting time standard for autism diagnosis.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Howarth. During the last general election campaign, I attended a hustings in Enfield, Southgate organised by the local branch of the National Autistic Society. Following that meeting, and after further discussions with constituents and others on issues related to autism, I decided to request a debate on the matter. During this debate, I will briefly describe the effects of autism and explain the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s diagnostic assessment standard. I will also question why that standard is not being adhered to, explain the impact of late diagnosis and propose a way forward to the Minister.

As some people may be aware, autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with and relates to others and makes sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition and affects individuals to varying degrees.

Nick Thomas-Symonds Portrait Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) (Lab)
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All my constituents who contacted me about this issue are very concerned about the time taken for diagnosis. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is important to have a consistent approach right across the country—like in Wales, where last year the Welsh Government introduced a national autism strategy?

Bambos Charalambous Portrait Bambos Charalambous
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My hon. Friend makes a valid point: consistency is required across the range.