ADHD and autism at risk of over-diagnosis, says government review

There is a risk of people being over-diagnosed with ADHD and autism, an official review in England has found.

Experts said a rise in diagnoses over the past 25 years meant 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, saying they had concerns about quality and consistency, and a ban on advertising.

It concluded economic uncertainty combined with social media was driving an increase in mental health problems among young people and said there needed to be better support in place for all conditions.

It is likely to feed into government policies on everything from NHS services and benefits to support for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

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Source: BBC News, 9 October 2026