Health · Mental Health · 2 days ago
UK review warns of risks from ADHD and autism over-diagnosis
A UK government review has warned that rising diagnoses of ADHD and autism could increase the risk of some children being misdiagnosed.
It says support systems should not treat every difficulty as a medical condition or make help depend on receiving a diagnosis first.
More than 4% of children aged six to 17 are recorded as autistic, above the 1–2% level suggested by some studies, but the review says the data are not recent enough to prove over-diagnosis is happening widely.
It also stresses that some age groups may still be under-diagnosed.
The review raises concerns about the quality of assessments and says long waits for diagnosis can leave children without support.
It recommends help based on individual needs while assessments are under way, as well as stronger regulation of ADHD and autism assessments.
The government says it plans to set out a new support model in a mental health strategy expected before the end of the year.
A government-commissioned review warned that rising ADHD and autism diagnoses could increase the risk of over-diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
The review said it was not possible to conclude that over-diagnosis was happening at scale, and noted that some age groups remain under-diagnosed.
It called for support based on children’s needs rather than requiring a diagnosis first.
The government said it would set out a new support model in a forthcoming mental health strategy and introduce tougher regulation of assessments.
Advocates said autistic people and young people still face widespread distress and need better support.
- Who
- A government-commissioned review led by Professor Peter Fonagy examined ADHD and autism diagnoses.
- What
- It warned of a growing risk of over-diagnosis and misdiagnosis, while saying the available figures did not prove over-diagnosis was occurring at scale.
- When
- The review was published on 8 October 2026.
- Where
- Britain.
- Why
- The review cited rising diagnoses and concerns about assessment quality, while noting that some age groups remain under-diagnosed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The harm and distress autistic people are facing is real and widespread and there is a desperate need to build a system that supports the needs of autistic people.
For years, young people have told us they feel blamed for their mental health or accused of making it up.
Professor Fonagy's review has shown the importance of early intervention to address mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions and the huge distress these can cause.
close doors
A survey of GPs reported that many had never known a private provider to reject a diagnosis request.
The government-commissioned review was published, warning of a growing risk of over-diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
- Children aged 6 to 17
- More than 4% were diagnosed with autism, according to data cited by the BBC.
- Autism prevalence estimate
- Studies cited by the BBC suggest a level of 1–2%.
- Private ADHD assessments
- Private firms conduct more than half of NHS-funded assessments.
- Private autism assessments
- Private firms conduct a third of NHS-funded assessments.
Sources
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