Question On Notice No. 2761 asked in the Legislative Council on 11 February 2020 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Minister for Disability Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
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?
Answered on 17 March 2020
(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:
- Country early intervention (children aged 0-6): 4 ½ months
- Country school aged (children 7 years or older): 11 months
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.