The Nuffield Trust reports a significant increase in demand for autism assessments and ADHD treatments in England, surpassing the NHS’s capacity to meet it. Since 2019, there has been a five-fold rise in people waiting for autism assessments and a 51% increase in prescriptions for ADHD medication. Growing backlogs and longer waiting times are negatively impacting people’s daily lives, prompting calls for a “radical rethink.”
Factors contributing to the surge in demand include greater awareness of the conditions and changing social attitudes. Long waits for assessments and medication shortages are exacerbating the situation, with some patients waiting up to two and a half years for an ADHD assessment. Experts stress the need for a new approach to address the challenges posed by the rising demand for neurodiversity services. Efforts are underway to improve diagnosis timeliness and support for neurodiverse individuals, but further action is needed to ensure timely access to care and support.