Red flags for ASD: Reducing waiting times through quality referrals

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication and interaction. Waiting times for assessment are longer than recommended within key policies and there is an average delay of 3.9 years between concerns first being identified and a diagnosis being provided. A review of literature identified three main themes surrounding these delays: a lack of training, the extent of health visitor input, and referral concerns. Health visitors have been identified as the professionals most likely to be approached when parents first identify concerns. A lack of skills and training regarding key ASD traits, however, means referrals often lack robust evidence and result in a delay in specialist assessment and diagnosis. A project is therefore being proposed to implement a proforma for use alongside the 27-month developmental review, highlighting key areas of concern as recorded in the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), the checklist used as a basis of diagnostic assessment.