Scottish Parliament Petition PE2230
Children should not have to reach crisis before they receive an assessment.
ABC Scotland is campaigning for timely neurodevelopmental assessments for children displaying significant risk behaviours, so families can access support earlier.
Now under consideration: PE2230 asks the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to set a national six-month maximum waiting time for neurodevelopmental assessments where significant behavioural, emotional, or safety concerns have been raised.
Voices from parents
Families are asking to be heard before crisis point.
Shared anonymously by a parent or carer
Why ABC exists
Assessment before crisis is a simple standard with life-changing consequences.
Families across Scotland are trying to manage serious situations while referrals are delayed, rejected, or bounced between services. ABC Scotland is here to make the issue visible, gather public support, and push for earlier assessment and intervention.
The campaign is led by Stephanie McDowell, founder of ABC Scotland, and supported by parents, carers, professionals, and allies who believe children deserve help before risk becomes crisis.
ABC Scotland is a Scotland-wide public campaign, not a clinic or physical advice office. Families should use local health, education, and emergency routes when they need direct support.
Take action
Support PE2230
Petition PE2230 calls for a guaranteed neurodevelopmental assessment within six months for children displaying significant behaviours or emotions which raise concerns, including safety-related concerns.
Open the petitionAsk your representative
Email your MSP or MP about assessment before crisis.
ABC Scotland has copyable templates people can use to contact their own local MP or MSP. One is for supporting petition PE2230, and one is for sharing personal family experiences where CAMHS referrals have been rejected.
EMAIL
Copy the templates
Open the dedicated page to copy the petition email or the personal-experience email. Nothing is collected or sent by this website.
Open email templatesIn the media
ABC Scotland has helped bring families' experiences into the public conversation.
Press coverage has shared the reality behind long waits, rejected referrals, and the campaign for assessment before crisis.
Campaign response
Stephanie McDowell has contacted Maree Todd MSP several times about neurodevelopmental assessment waiting times. Following Maree Todd's STV comments, including that she could not "wave a magic wand", Stephanie has written again asking for a substantive response with clear actions, measurable targets and timescales.
STV News
'We had to call police on our child': Mum's plea for ADHD and autism assessments
Video and article coverage of Stephanie McDowell and calls for earlier neurodevelopmental assessment support.
Daily Record
"My daughter screams and climbs fences to escape school - but we can't get help"
Coverage of Stephanie McDowell, ABC Scotland, and petition PE2230.
The Herald
Scottish mum demands ASN assessments before crisis point
Reporting on the call for children to be assessed before families reach breaking point.
The Scotsman
Parents "drowning" as children stuck on years-long CAMHS waiting lists
Political coverage of the pressure facing families seeking help for children.
Your experience matters
Share what happened when you asked for help.
ABC Scotland is gathering stories from families affected by delayed or refused assessment. Your experience can help show decision-makers what the current system feels like in real homes, schools, and communities.
- What support did you ask for?
- How long did you wait?
- What changed for your child or family while you waited?
Useful resources
Find support, advice, and practical help.
Start with our directory of support for families, carers, young people, and professionals across Scotland.
HELP
Get support
Find advice lines, parent programmes, advocacy, local services, and financial support.
Open support directoryCampaign facts
Clear answers for supporters, families, and decision-makers.
What is ABC Scotland?
ABC Scotland, or Assessment Before Crisis, campaigns for children to receive neurodevelopmental assessment before risk escalates into crisis.
What does PE2230 ask for?
Petition PE2230 asks for a national six-month maximum waiting time for eligible neurodevelopmental assessments where significant concerns have been raised.
Who is behind the campaign?
ABC Scotland was founded by Stephanie McDowell and is supported by parents, carers, professionals, and allies across Scotland.
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