To ask the Minister of Education to detail the average waiting time, after referral, for a child to receive an autism assessment by an educational psychologist, broken down by constituency.

The Education Authority does not hold this information.

Children are referred for statutory assessment based on potential special educational needs (SEN). Autism Spectrum Disorder is a medical need and not every autistic child has a SEN.

Some children undergoing statutory assessment fall under the overarching SEN category of 'Social, Behavioural, Emotional & Wellbeing' or 'Speech, Language and Communication Needs', as they have Autism Spectrum Disorder or end up with a diagnosis of autism. There are also autistic children in other overarching SEN categories.