The Owl Centre Charity has unveiled a new service called Waiting Well, designed to assist individuals awaiting autism and ADHD assessments. This new online hub is your go-to source for the guidance and resources you need. It aids them through the lengthy waiting times now a days commonplace within the United Kingdom.
Waiting Well was developed to address the increasing concern of long waiting times for autism and ADHD assessment. These waiting lists can be years long, sometimes decades long, forcing families to wait indefinitely. As reported, some patients wait more than 18 years to receive a diagnosis. This protracted delay keeps tens of thousands hanging in the balance. The NHS is not in a position to provide adequate or detailed guidance on waiting list management. Further, community resources can be spotty and insufficient.
The charity recently received £20,000 in National Lottery funding. This funding helped them kickstart the Waiting Well project and take their work from being based in just Oxford to reaching a national audience. This expansion is a recognition of the urgent need for support, as expressed by the thousands of people currently dealing with these challenges.
Nicola Lathey, Head of Therapy at The Owl Centre, emphasized the importance of the service, stating, “We’re at breaking point, with thousands of individuals up and down the country in an autism and ADHD diagnosis limbo – without hope, guidance or support.” She emphasized that people typically only get a letter letting them know that they are on the waiting list. This failure to communicate is a frequent complaint with their evaluations.
Jenny, one of the patients negatively impacted. Not too long ago, she got an appointment letter for an appointment 17 to 19 years in the future. Reflecting on her situation, she shared, “It was just bizarre, I didn’t really know whether to laugh or cry – I think maybe I might have done both.” Jenny wanted to get help for her anxiety and chronic stress, and learn more about her possible autism and ADHD.
It’s not just NHS England announcing measures — the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & West Berkshire Integrated Care Board is already moving. They are focused on outpacing the long waits for assessments. Lathey spoke about the urgent importance of this support. Thousands of people, such as Jenny, flounder without knowing where to turn or what guidance to seek from their industry experts. Jenny expressed her desire for more clarity regarding her condition, stating, “It would just bring so much clarity, because I can do as much research as I can, but I’m not a professional and I’m never really going to know whether or not I have autism.”
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