Technology and Science08 October, 20262 min read
England Review Warns ADHD And Autism Over-Diagnosis, Calls For Tighter Private Assessment Rules
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Review finds rising diagnoses outpace population; risk of over-diagnosis for ADHD and autism. Government urges stricter regulation of private assessment firms supplying NHS services.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Review flags over-diagnosis
A government-ordered review in England found there is a risk of people being over-diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and it said the rise in diagnoses over the past 25 years means cases now appear to be outstripping the expected number in the population for some younger age groups. The review called for tougher regulation of private firms offering assessments for the NHS, and it urged a ban on advertising. The review also warned that economic uncertainty combined with social media was driving an increase in mental health problems among young people, and it said there needed to be better support in place for all conditions.
The review chair Prof Peter Fonagy said it was clear the system was "under immense strain" and it was time to get away from diagnosis being a "very narrow pathway" to finding support. The review concluded that diagnosis remains essential and must be protected, while it argued that what has to change is that it is no longer the only door through which help can be reached.
Waiting lists and private clinics
The review described how families can face long waits for diagnosis, and it said the Watsons experienced a three years wait for an autism assessment. Ryan said, "You basically go on the list and wait however long until you get to the top," and he said his family feared Atlas would be placed in a mainstream school where it was "not safe." The review called for reassessment of those on waiting lists to ensure people with the highest needs are prioritised first, and it said it should look at whether some could be removed and offered other kinds of non-medical support.
Diagnosis can "do harm when it is inaccurate" by directing someone towards the wrong treatment and "obscure co-occurring conditions or the social environmental causes of their difficulties." The current system in England "falls short," with people waiting years in some cases because help is "locked behind waiting for a diagnosis."
Tipping point, misdiagnosis risk
The review warned that recognition of ADHD and autism has "risen dramatically," and it said the country is at a "tipping point" where people are at risk of being misdiagnosed. "Most people are sometimes inattentive, anxious or socially uncomfortable," and "Having ADHD or autism-related traits does not necessarily mean someone has a diagnosable condition." The review raised concerns about the "consistency and quality" of ADHD and autism assessments being carried out by private providers, which it said conduct more than half of NHS-funded ADHD and a third of autism assessments.
The review urged the government to tighten regulations on private clinics, and it cited estimates that around 3.8% of five to 15-year-olds have ADHD and 1.2% of five to 19-year-olds have autism. The latest waiting list figures showed more than 560,000 people had an "open referral" for ADHD at the end of 2025, and more than 254,000 people had an open autism referral in December last year.