Leading autism charities are calling on the government to invest in a long-term strategy to reform the systems that diagnose and support autistic people.

Autism Alliance, the National Autistic Society, Autistica and others have released a new report, which sets out recommendations for a new ‘Autism Strategy’.

The report, ‘A New Path Ahead: Why systemic change is the key to better lives for autistic people’, was developed in collaboration with autistic people, parents and carers, researchers and clinicians.

Its recommendations aim to create a system that enables access to an autism diagnosis for those who need it, treats every person as an individual with unique strengths and support needs, provides quality support across the UK and adapts to a person’s changing needs.

Charities say they are concerned about a lack of action from government to review the systems that support autistic people to meet their needs, particularly amid rising demand for diagnosis and growing waiting lists.

As of June 2025, over 230,000 people were waiting for an autism diagnosis assessment in England, according to NHS England. Of these, 89% had waited over the recommended 13 weeks to be assessed.

The government is due to launch a new autism strategy in July this year but has delayed this, instead commissioning an independent review into Mental Health, ADHD and Autism.

Autistica’s Interim Chief Executive, Rebecca Sterry, said: “Too many people are waiting too long for an autism diagnosis. When they get one it often doesn’t give a real picture of the individual: their strengths, needs and any other neurodevelopmental differences that they might have. And too often in the current system, the result is people simply not getting the support they need.

“To get this right, we need earlier, personalised support which will prevent needs escalating, save the UK economy money, and change people’s lives. But the whole system needs to adapt to make this work. We and others are helping to develop the evidence for these new approaches, we want to see government support to take it further.”

Autistica is currently testing a strengths- and needs-based assessment tool and working with other academics to address the diagnosis crisis.

The digital tool creates a personalised profile of a person’s strengths and needs, using the clinical core sets for autism and ADHD.

The individual or their family can then share their profile with teachers, employers, or healthcare professionals to identify the most suitable support.