Alliance Calls for Urgent Overhaul of ‘Broken’ Autism Services

Alliance Health spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA has issued an urgent call to the Health Minister to deliver fit-for-purpose autism services, claiming that the current system is leaving families and individuals to “fight to have their voices heard.”

The North Belfast MLA made the comments ahead of an Alliance Assembly motion scheduled for tomorrow, 12 May, which seeks to secure better support for those impacted by autism across Northern Ireland.

Ms McAllister highlighted that services are currently severely overwhelmed, resulting in long waiting times and inconsistent access to essential resources such as respite and short-break services.

Nuala McAllister MLA said: “Our autism services are severely overwhelmed, leaving families and individuals without the support they desperately need.

“Imagine waiting years to understand why your child is struggling, only to find yourself without any support. Thousands of families across Northern Ireland seeking respite and short-break services face a postcode lottery, with some receiving little support while others receive nothing at all. This is the unfair reality.

“The findings of the Independent Autism Reviewer’s Annual Report September 2024 – March 2026 highlight the negative mental health effects associated with our long waiting times for assessments, as well as the mental health challenges faced by individuals with autism who struggle to fit into a society centred around neurotypical ideals.

“Our System is broken, and individuals with autism and their families should not have to fight to have their voices heard. That’s why Alliance is calling on the Health Minister to urgently deliver fit-for-purpose autism services and outline his plan to cut waiting lists, deliver the Autism Strategy and support the many families left struggling.”