UK review urges needs-led ADHD and autism support

A government-commissioned review in England has warned that strained ADHD and autism assessment services may increase the risk of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis, while saying evidence does not establish that overdiagnosis is occurring at scale. It recommends changing how people access support, so a diagnosis is no longer the sole gateway to help. The review, chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy and Sir Simon Wessely, says ADHD- or autism-related traits alone do not establish a diagnosable condition. An inaccurate diagnosis, it warns, can direct someone toward inappropriate treatment, obscure other causes of distress or lead ordinary experiences to be treated as medical problems. The authors say diagnosis remains important, but should not be the only route to assistance. The report recommends a clinically led review of ADHD and autism assessment waiting lists to prioritise people according to need. It also calls for practical support while people wait, and for moving away from a system in which diagnosis is required to access some educational support and benefits. The review says such changes should not mean simply removing people from waiting lists.