Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland

Author: Ben Adam

PDF Published: Tuesday 24 Jun 2025 (SB 25-25)

A diagram showing that for a given trait, neurotypical people fall within the usual statistic range whereas neurodivergent people fall outside this range. Falling outside this range increases the likelihood of having a neurodevelopmental condition. Neurodiversity refers to the entire range.

Image: Figure 1: Definitions of neurodiversity and neurodivergence

A bar chart showing the number of children waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments across health boards in Scotland. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian have the longest waiting lists, with over 7000 people in each, whereas NHS Shetland, NHS Orkney and NHS Western Isles have the shortest.

Image: Figure 2: Number of children waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments in Scotland, March 2025

Line graphs showing the number of children waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment in six different health boards. The number of children waiting in each health board has increased dramatically since 2020.

Image: Figure 3: Increases in size of the waiting lists for child neurodevelopmental assessments.

A map of regions where adult neurodevelopmental assessments are available for patients who don't meet the criteria for referral to secondary mental health services. Assessments are available in Lothian, Lanarkshire, Tayside, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Highland and Western Isles, and in Aberdeen City and Moray HSCPs in NHS Grampian.

Image: Figure 4: Map of regions where adult neurodevelopmental assessments are available.

A figure showing the number of adults on waiting lists for neurodevelopmental assessments across health boards in Scotland. Lothian and Greater Glasgow and Clyde make up the vast majority of the total.

Image: Figure 5: Number of adults waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments across health boards in Scotland, March 2025

The number of adults waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment in six different health boards has increased dramatically since 2020.

Image: Figure 6: Increases in waiting lists for adult neurodevelopmental assessments.

A plot showing the median and longest waiting times for children to receive a neurodevelopmental assessment in twelve NHS boards. NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Highland and NHS Orkney report the longest median wait times of over two years. NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney and NHS Lothian also report longest wait times of over five years.

Image: Figure 7: Median and longest waiting times for children to receive a neurodevelopmental assessment in NHS Scotland health boards.

A plot showing the median and longest waiting times for adults to receive a neurodevelopmental assessment in ten NHS boards. NHS Tayside and NHS Forth Valley report the longest median wait times of over 130 weeks, while NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland and NHS Lothian all report longest wait times over seven years.

Image: Figure 8: Median and longest waiting times for adults to receive a neurodevelopmental assessment in NHS Scotland health boards.

A bar chart showing that men and women with autism and ADHD have life expectancies six to eight years less than their neurotypical peers.

Image: Figure 9: Life expectancies of neurodivergent men and women

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