Neurodiversity: Diagnosis
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the differences in diagnosis rates for neurodivergent conditions between (a) men and boys and (b) women and girls; and what steps his Department is taking to address that disparity.
Answered by Preet Kaur Gill
Differences in how autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) present in biological males and biological females may make these conditions more difficult to identify in women and girls.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on autism and ADHD set out considerations for clinicians when assessing for autism or ADHD, including highlighting that autism and ADHD may be under-recognised in women and girls.
NHS England commissioned a report to support the evaluation of tools used for screening and triage in the autism assessment pathway specifically, and this is being disseminated. This report includes discussion of the research in relation to the performance of tools based on patient demographics such as sex and highlights the importance of ensuring that tools have been tested with samples that are representative of patients seen within the service.
NHS England keeps relevant evidence under review to understand how the rate of diagnosis of autism and ADHD varies as a function of different personal characteristics and circumstances, including, but not limited to, sex, ethnicity, age, and indices of socioeconomic deprivation. This includes the monitoring of available national data sources as well as the international literature.
In December 2025, the Government launched an Independent Review into the Prevalence and Support for Mental Health Conditions, ADHD and Autism. This independent review will inform a new approach that reduces waiting times, improves the quality of care, and promotes prevention and early intervention. The final report is due to be published in the summer. The findings from this review, as well as other relevant evidence and reports, will be used to inform the development of a revised national autism strategy.
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