To ask the Minister of Education pursuant to AQW 22361 17-22 and considering the long waiting times for a Health Trust diagnosis, whether she will allow for a referral to the Autism Advisory and Intervention Service where there is strong professional evidence available to point towards an autism diagnosis.

The process of referrals to the Education Authority (EA) Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (AAIS) is an operational matter for the EA.

The EA AAIS provide general advice and guidance for children and young people who are awaiting or undergoing an autism assessment/diagnosis. Parent/ carers are able to request a statutory assessment of Special Educational Needs (SEN) should they feel their child/young person requires further supports in relation to accessing learning, in the interim.

The EA are currently taking forward their Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Strategic Development Programme, within which the process of referrals for children and young people to EA Pupil Support Services, including the AAIS, will be subject to review.