Photo: MissLunaRose12, CC BY-SA 4.0
Autism New Zealand says the Ministry for Social Development is trying to save money by declining funding applications for people diagnosed via telehealth, and many people in the regions will now find it harder than ever to get help.
But the Ministry says nothing has changed and it is only following evidence-based guidelines that a diagnosis of ASD should be done in person.
However it acknowledges that during COVID-19, distance diagnoses were needed. Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan says in recent months it has began hearing from those declined funding, and also from psychologists, that MSD is taking a harder line on funding applications.
He says there is much international research now suggesting that online diagnoses are robust and taking away this option is unfair and unjust.
He speaks to Kathryn Ryan alongside Ashley Cairns, director of the mental health organisation A Change For Better, which among other things provides remote diagnoses for ASD.
