Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:42 pm on 10 January 2023.
May I ask the Minister for Education and Welsh Language to make a statement on how the Government intends to ensure timely Welsh-medium assessments for children who require an autism assessment? I have a few cases in my constituency of children who require Welsh-medium autism assessments but who are having to wait years. For example, Rhodri—not his real name—who is eight years old was referred in February for an autism assessment. The option of an online assessment with the Healios company was offered, and the first assessment was held yesterday. Welsh is his mother tongue, and the assessor decided that the next assessment should be undertaken in Welsh to ensure the fairness of the result and that such an assessment could be swiftly arranged. Today, however, I understand that the only assessor available to do this work is away on maternity leave, and the case was referred to the local neurodevelopmental service. The result of all this is a wait of two or even three years for a face-to-face assessment in Welsh. The difference in the service offered to those who wish to access a service in Welsh is wholly unacceptable. So, I'd be grateful for a statement on how the Minister intends to remedy the situation as soon as possible, please.