Update on the Autism Assessment Process

28th April 2023

Today, the CEOs of ICB and Sirona Health and Care informed us that the autism assessment criteria will revert back to the process that was in place, before the changes that were announced on 1st March 2023.

We are sure that the parent carer community will be pleased with this news, and we would like to thank you again for taking the time to share your views through the 3 parent carer forums' joint survey. We would also like to thank the CEOs for listening to the concerns raised by families.

While parent carers may feel relieved to hear this news, we must acknowledge that the previous system was not effective either. Unless we address the waiting list, it will continue to grow, and children and young people will wait too long to get the help and support they need.

The parent carer forums of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire will meet with ICB in May, and we are asking for a system-wide review so that families, children and young people can get the right help at the right time.

We want to find a way in which we can all work together to find a better solution and we truly believe this is possible. We won't be able to do this without the support of fellow parent carers, we will be calling on you to help create a service that works for everyone.