More patients were waiting longer than 13 weeks for their suspected autism to be diagnosed in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin in spring than before the pandemic, new figures show.

Autism is a lifelong condition which impacts how people communicate and interact with the world.

It is normally diagnosed at a young age, although some may receive a diagnosis as teenagers or into adulthood.

Many people referred for assessment are being forced to wait too long to access autism-specific support services, as the latest figures from NHS England show a backlog has built up across the country.

As of the end of March, around 520 of the 585 adults and children waiting for an autism assessment in the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG area had been on the list for more than 13 weeks – the longest time someone should wait for a diagnosis following a referral, according to national guidance.

This was a 35% increase from the 385 patients waiting longer than 13 weeks at the beginning of March 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 52% of those waiting for a diagnosis in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin were under 18.

At the same time, the number of new referrals for an autism assessment at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has actually dropped at the trust, from around 90 in the first three months of 2020 to 70 over the same period this year.

A Department of Health and Care spokesperson said: “We are investing £5m over the next two years to reduce diagnosis waiting times for autism for children and young people across the country.

“This is in addition to £13 million extra funding we invested last year, which will help develop a national framework with NHS England to ensure children, young people and adults receive higher-quality and faster diagnoses.”