NHS ADHD/Autism waits hit 2 years

NHS boards are now enforcing minimum two-year waiting times for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments. This situation highlights a health service strained by increased understanding and societal attitudes towards these conditions. Over the past six years, referrals have surged, resulting in nearly 1 million individuals in England waiting for ADHD assessments, with average waits already exceeding 64 weeks. Approximately 295,000 people are awaiting autism assessments.

The sharp increase in formal diagnoses, particularly since 2020, reflects both improved clinical understanding and a greater recognition of unmet needs. However, these lengthening waiting lists signify more than just financial strain and staff shortages within the NHS. They represent deepening distress for patients and families who rely on diagnosis for access to treatment and support.

The growing demand for diagnosis has caught public services off guard, fueling debates about overdiagnosis versus belated recognition of genuine conditions. The pandemic, economic insecurity, and reduced stigma surrounding ADHD and autism have all contributed to this rise in referrals. An interim government review acknowledges that unmet needs, misdiagnosis, and concerns about over-medicalisation can coexist within the system.