Danes face lengthy wait times for autism assessments as healthcare system struggles

When one of Susanne Ditlevsen Jensen’s close family members was to be evaluated for autism, she began researching the condition. Much of what she read resonated with her own experiences. “I was actually sitting with an A4 sheet at the doctor’s office, saying, ‘I struggle with all these things on this list,'” she shared.

Like many Danes, Susanne received a referral to a psychiatrist for assessment, and her initial response was relief. However, that relief quickly diminished upon learning about the lengthy waiting times. She was referred to a psychiatrist in February this year, only to discover that the wait time for her chosen specialist is currently 33 months, meaning her first consultation is not expected until November 2026.

She expressed disappointment in the system, stating, “I think it’s unfortunate that our society does not better manage this. Of course, I understand it’s challenging if resources are lacking.” The wait times for psychiatric evaluations have been steadily increasing for years, impacting many others as more individuals are assessed by their general practitioners as needing psychiatric help.

Recent data reveal that non-urgent patients face an average maximum wait time of 103.6 weeks, up from last year’s 80 weeks and just 23.6 weeks in 2018. Additionally, all patients receiving their initial consultation in 2023 waited an average of 20 weeks.

Susanne, who has a well-regulated diagnosis of bipolar disorder, seeks an autism assessment to better understand her difficulties, particularly in social situations. “I want to learn how to navigate better. I hope it can improve my situation and help me understand what’s going on,” she remarked.

Despite the long wait, Susanne looks forward to starting her assessment when called upon.