Debate contribution: Autism Services

Debate contribution by Miss Órlaithí Flynn on 12 May 2026.

MLA

Miss Órlaithí Flynn

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

12 May 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Autism Services

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5528411

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I am also happy to speak to the motion. I am conscious that a lot of the debate, so far, has focused on the many shortcomings that we see in autism services, but it is important to recognise also that there have been some really positive steps in recent years. Almost every Member who has spoken has mentioned the appointment of the Independent Autism Reviewer. That was a significant development for us locally. The autism strategy 2023-28 has set out an ambitious vision around inclusion, partnership and the improvement of outcomes across health, education, employment and community life. We have also seen progress through the autism and neurodiversity training in our health and social care trusts, alongside the growing recognition of the need for more neuroaffirming approaches across our public services. That is particularly important as it was all co-designed with people who have lived experience. Not so long ago, those things were not even being spoken about, and now we are considering a neuroaffirming approach across our public services. That will make a big, big difference. We have to welcome all that good work. Those are important, big steps forward. Obviously, the concern that many families still have is that the progress that we see at a policy level is not always translating into progress in people's daily lives. We know that, for many autistic people and their families, the reality remains one of delay and inconsistency. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the assessment waiting times and the impact that those delays have on the mental health and well-being not just of the individuals — the children, young people and adults who are awaiting assessment — but of their wider families. It has an emotional impact on the broader family circle. When families wait for years for assessment or support, life does not simply pause in the meantime. I am sure that every MLA has regular contact in their offices with cases of children — many in nursery; some in primary and post-primary school — where their parents know and can see that the child is struggling and not coping well. However, then they have to navigate the whole system of getting their assessments carried out via the health trusts and, then, via the schools. It is really disappointing to see the cases of the kids trying to get their assessments at school and even at nursery level, because we need to intervene as early as possible to try to support our children with autism. The majority of families that I deal with have been knocked back from having an assessment carried out and a support package put in place, regardless of the severity of their child's need. When they get knocked back, most parents do not have the motivation or the energy at times to go through the appeals process, and they do not know how to navigate the whole tribunal system. People do not have the energy, and unless they are supported properly, many families do not go through with the appeals process and the tribunal process. Those are all missed opportunities right across the system, not just in health. We are letting our autistic children and young people down. The long waits, when they do not receive assessments on time or the support that they need, lead to additional anxiety, emotional distress, low self-esteem and a feeling that they are being left behind by systems that should be in place to support them. Sadly, at the moment, that is the case for a large number of children and young people. For many autistic people, those challenges are further compounded by the lack of core care for mental health conditions. Autistic people are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and emotional distress, yet, too often, they encounter mental health services that are not designed with autism in mind. Families frequently speak about being passed between services, with autism being viewed separately from mental health, when, in reality, the two are often deeply interconnected. However, we do not connect them when we try to deal with people and families. We all recognise that, in this day and age, parents and families should not have to fight so hard simply to be heard and to receive the coordinated support that they desperately need. We need accountability from the Department of Health and across all Departments. We have debated the issue many times, and it cuts across many Departments, particularly Health and Education. Hopefully, the motion today will bring some positive work towards that.

756 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:35 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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