England Review Warns of ADHD, Autism Over-Diagnosis — SkimNews
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- Prof Peter Fonagy led the official review for the government, concluding ADHD and autism are at risk of over-diagnosis as case numbers have risen sharply over 25 years and now outstrip expected population levels in some younger age groups.
- The review found more than 4% of children aged 6-17 are now diagnosed with autism, well above the 1-2% studies suggest is the true level, though it cautioned some data dates back nearly a decade and over-diagnosis at scale could not be confirmed.
- The review called for tougher regulation of private firms offering NHS assessments and a ban on advertising, citing concerns about quality and consistency.
- Children diagnosed with autism or ADHD before age 17 are around four times more likely to end up not in education, employment, or training between ages 16 and 24, the review found.
- The Watson family waited three years for their son Atlas's autism assessment; diagnosed at nearly seven, he is non-verbal and relies on others for daily care.
- Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting commissioned the review 10 months ago after claiming young people were over-diagnosed and 'written off'; current Health Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the report and promised a new mental health strategy before year-end.
- The National Autistic Society's Mel Merritt said successive governments 'have failed autistic people', while YoungMinds's Abigail Ampofo said young people have long felt 'blamed for their mental health'.
Why it matters: The review triggers direct policy action: the government has committed to tougher regulation of private ADHD and autism assessment firms and a new mental health strategy before year-end. The report simultaneously cautions over-diagnosis at scale cannot yet be confirmed (figures are nearly a decade old), while recognizing under-diagnosis in some age groups and that long NHS waits cause harm themselves.
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