Why Are Adult Autism Waitlists So Long?

PostedNovember 6, 2025

UpdatedNovember 6, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Adult autism waitlists are notoriously long, often leaving individuals waiting months or even years to receive an official diagnosis. This is primarily due to a combination of diagnostic delays and access barriers. As awareness of adult autism increases, more individuals are seeking assessments, but there aren’t always enough resources to meet the demand. The need for trained clinicians, specialised testing, and comprehensive assessments has created a bottleneck in the system, contributing to longer wait times.

One key factor in the long waitlists is the growing recognition that autism does not only affect children, but also adults. Many adults who were never diagnosed in childhood are now seeking help, but the limited availability of adult-focused autism services makes it difficult for healthcare providers to keep up. Additionally, problems in accessing these services, such as limited insurance coverage or geographic location, can exacerbate these delays, especially in areas with fewer service providers.

Why Are These Waitlists So Long?

The waitlists are so long because of the following reasons:

Service Overload:

The increasing number of adults seeking diagnoses has overwhelmed the system, resulting in longer wait times. Many healthcare providers are already stretched thin with a high volume of cases and limited resources.

Limited Specialised Providers:

The shortage of professionals trained specifically in adult autism diagnosis means that even when individuals do get appointments, the process can be delayed due to limited availability.

Visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations tailored to your needs.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to late diagnosis in adults.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.