❓ Hon Martin Aldridge asks about wait times for autism and ADHD assessments for children in regional WA and early intervention programs for speech/language difficulties. The response details wait times for ASD assessments and clarifies that ADHD assessments and speech/language interventions are not the Department of Communities' responsibility.
AnsweredQoN 2761Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question on notice 2689 regarding access to health professionals, and I ask: (a) what is the current wait list for children in regional Western Australia to obtain a formal assessment by either a paediatrician, psychologist or speech therapist for autism spectrum and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder type disorders by region; and (b) what early intervention programs is the Department of Communities – Disability Services promoting in the regions for early identification and remediation of speech and language difficulties with children?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 March 2020
Responded by
Minister for Disability Services
Response time
9 days
(a) The Department of Communities works in partnership with Paediatricians and Psychiatrists from public and private health services across the State to provide multidisciplinary assessments for individuals suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The average wait time in regional Western Australia for assessments conducted in the 2020 calendar year to date are:
The Department of Communities does not provide assessment services related to the identification or diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
(b) Services related to the prevention, identification and intervention of speech and language difficulties in children are not provided by the Department of Communities. These services are a mainstream health service responsibility. Further information in relation to these services may be available from the Western Australian Country Health Service or the Child and Adolescent Health Service.
The average wait time in regional Western Australia for assessments conducted in the 2020 calendar year to date are:
The Department of Communities does not provide assessment services related to the identification or diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
(b) Services related to the prevention, identification and intervention of speech and language difficulties in children are not provided by the Department of Communities. These services are a mainstream health service responsibility. Further information in relation to these services may be available from the Western Australian Country Health Service or the Child and Adolescent Health Service.
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