Recognising that prompt diagnosis and intervention are critical for the development and wellbeing of neurodivergent children, it is concerning that many families in Canberra face significant barriers in accessing the right diagnostic services.
Recent data shows that nearly one in three families in Australia now wait over two years for an autism diagnosis, a substantial increase from less than 20% in 2014. These delays hinder early intervention, limiting children’s development and prospects. Approximately 10% of the Australian population is affected by dyslexia, 6% by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 0.4% by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The rising rates of diagnosis, particularly for autism and ADHD, have overwhelmed Australia’s education system, with nearly a million students needing extra support due to disabilities—a 40% increase since 2017.
Currently, too many families are waiting on the public health system waiting list to get the support they need. Whilst waiting, their children are unable to get the support they need in school because a psychologist or psychiatrists diagnostic letter is needed for schools to intervene.
Many children are missing almost 40 days of school a year due to behavioural issues linked to ADHD and Autism, which means parents are missing workdays or having to take too much carer’s leave to support their children at home. Evidence shows that, the impact of late diagnosis extends beyond the individual child. Teachers often lack the necessary resources and training to support neurodivergent students effectively, leading to increased classroom stress and challenges in delivering inclusive education. Parents, on the other hand, experience heightened stress levels and physical exhaustion due to prolonged periods of disrupted sleep and the challenges of managing their child’s unmet needs.