An MSP is calling for urgent action after it was revealed more than 3500 Lanarkshire children are waiting for an autism assessment.
Research recently obtained by Central Scotland representative Monica Lennon showed significant delays for an appointment with the neurodevelopment team.
And shockingly, one child needed to wait nearly three years to be seen.
A Freedom of Information request to NHS Lanarkshire was submitted after the issue was highlighted by a local family.
At the time of the response, 3667 children were on the list.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.
Around one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum.
Ms Lennon told Lanarkshire Live : “It is unacceptable for young children to have to wait this long for an autism diagnosis.
"Families are right to expect better support and I have asked the Scottish Government to take urgent action to help NHS Lanarkshire improve access to neurodevelopment specialists.
“My office has offered support to numerous families with issues surrounding autism, including one mother from South Lanarkshire who told us recently she felt she just wasn’t being taken seriously as she desperately sought help for her young son.
“She felt she had been going around in circles trying to get an appointment and dealing with the complaints procedure and had nowhere else to turn.
“When I raised her case with the Scottish Government, we were simply passed the contact details for a co-ordinator at a local health centre.
“It seems you either accept a lengthy wait for help or be sent on a wild goose chase, and it simply isn’t good enough.”
She continued: “I am told there are no staffing vacancies within NHS Lanarkshire’s community paediatric service, so you have to ask – why are there so many children stuck on waiting lists with no appointment in sight in Lanarkshire?
“And does the Scottish Government think this is an acceptable way to treat families who are desperate for support?
"If SNP ministers are serious about all children having the best start in life, this must include children who are autistic or neurodivergent.”
The constituent, who wishes to remain anonymous, explained: “I am really struggling to support my little boy appropriately and access services to meet his needs.
"Every day is a challenge, made worse by the difficulties of navigating the NHS.
“It makes me wonder how other more vulnerable families are managing to access services and I am aware of many families who are waiting over four years to be seen.
“I have followed the complaints process locally and the complaint has been upheld however I feel there has been a lack of action.
“I am aware of the current pressures within the NHS however I feel that the issues of assessment for neurodevelopment disorders and appropriate support are really not being taken seriously.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government is committed to supporting autistic people and more than £3m has been allocated for the remainder of this year to help NHS boards build professional capacity and support children and young people with neurodevelopmental support needs.
“Separately, we have established the National Autism Implementation Team, in partnership with Queen Margaret University, to support the redesign of autism diagnostic services.
"The Team is working with NHS boards to examine diagnostic pathways for autism and establish regional experts.”
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