Urgent action call to reduce NDAS waiting times

LOCHMABEN campaigner and parent advocate Abbie McNeill, pictured above, has launched a nationwide petition calling for urgent reform of the Neurodevelopmental Diagnostic Assessment Service (NDAS) to address the significant delays faced by families awaiting assessments.

The petition titled ‘Reduce NDAS Waiting Times for Families’, has already gained strong early momentum, with over 152 signatures within the first 48 hours.

It highlights growing concern among parents, carers, and educators about the long waits for children seeking assessments for autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

The campaign calls for immediate action to:

Reduce NDAS waiting times to ensure timely support for families; Increase the number of qualified professionals conducting assessments and provide greater administrative capacity to help services manage demand more effectively.

Speaking about her motivation to launch the campaign, Ms McNeill said: “I am soon to be faced with NDAS waiting times myself, but I already know so many family members, friends, and local families who have been through this long, exhausting process.

“These delays affect not only the child waiting for assessment, but the whole family and the schools trying to support them.

“We need change including faster assessments, more trained professionals and proper administrative support so families aren’t left waiting in limbo.”

Annandale North councillor Carolyne Wilson has offered her early support for the campaign. She recognises the urgent need for reform to ensure children and families can access appropriate assessments and interventions without delay.

Ms McNeill added: “Early intervention changes lives. Every month a child waits is a month of missed understanding and missed support. By reducing waiting times and improving access, we can give every child a fair chance to thrive and relieve enormous pressure on families and schools alike.”

The petition continues to gather support from across Scotland and the wider UK, with parents, educators, and advocacy groups uniting to demand fairer, faster access to NDAS services.

n To support the campaign, visit: https://c.org/D29YXjWK47