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The over diagnosis of ADHD and autism is ruining children’s lives.

110 replies

67854568G · 07/11/2025 10:35

‘So, before a child has fully developed, they are diagnosed with a disorder. That’s disorientating. It's no wonder that a study has found that around 70% of children diagnosed with autism also suffer from depression and anxiety! Again, it’s worth asking who really benefits from these labels?’

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/opinion-this-obsession-with-diagnosing-kids-with-autism-and-adhd-is-ruining-their-lives-i-should-know/ar-AA1Iscvg?ocid=socialshare

MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/opinion-this-obsession-with-diagnosing-kids-with-autism-and-adhd-is-ruining-their-lives-i-should-know/ar-AA1Iscvg?ocid=socialshare

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 07/11/2025 14:39

Any 35 year old today who received a diagnosis of ADHD at age 5 would have had this "expire" because 30 years ago it was thought that children grew out of ADHD. Today we have a better understanding that this disorder usually persists into adulthood, but it's also possible that people who "grew out of" ADHD (and genuinely don't experience any problems with it in adult life) were actually misdiagnosed in the first place.

PaddlingSwan · 07/11/2025 14:43

Too many odd labels on everyone. Who devised these and what is the intetion?

JLou08 · 07/11/2025 14:48

My child has definitely benefited from his diagnosis. It enabled me to read more about autism to have a better understanding of his needs and strategies to help him. It got me specialist support and understanding to help promote his development. It helps school know what is needed and make reasonable adjustments. This all lowers his anxiety as we recognise and adapt the environment and how we communicate with him.

HRTQueen · 07/11/2025 14:49

FlyingUnicornWings · 07/11/2025 10:57

The under diagnosis ruined a hell of a lot of lives. I know that much.

Absolutely

Locutus2000 · 07/11/2025 14:52

67854568G · 07/11/2025 13:48

I was using a quote from the PP. She used the line about ‘keep opinions to yourself’ I was just mirroring her sad little phrase. Again. Comprehension.

You aren't here in good faith, are you? Just whipping up division.

67854568G · 07/11/2025 14:55

Locutus2000 · 07/11/2025 14:52

You aren't here in good faith, are you? Just whipping up division.

No. I think I made good points. When a pp asked me what I thought. It all matters.

OP posts:
OneInEight · 07/11/2025 15:07

You do realise that for a diagnosis to be given there have to be significant difficulties. It surely makes a lot more sense that it is these difficulties that result in increased anxiety and depression rather than ownership of a letter with the diagnosis written on it.

Certainly with my two anxiety and depressiion came well before formal diagnosis. And also certainly the support that they were given as a result of diagnosis has enabled them to manage their difficulties as young adults in a way that they simply could not do as children.

BengalBangle · 07/11/2025 15:10

You are very unreasonable to link to such a poorly written article that is littered with sweeping generalisations.

Sterlingrose · 07/11/2025 15:33

67854568G · 07/11/2025 13:27

I think there’s been a valid rise in diagnoses. I also think lots are exaggerated for financial gain. I also think diagnoses or lack of should be looked at over time, as they very well might change. Since you ask!

What financial gain?

Sterlingrose · 07/11/2025 15:34

PaddlingSwan · 07/11/2025 14:43

Too many odd labels on everyone. Who devised these and what is the intetion?

They're called diagnoses.

BertieBotts · 07/11/2025 15:48

PaddlingSwan · 07/11/2025 14:43

Too many odd labels on everyone. Who devised these and what is the intetion?

The intention is because if you are part of a minority group that disproportionately struggles or suffers or cannot access certain aspects of life compared to average or the majority, it is helpful to be able to identify members of this group.

It helps members of the group identify each other, so that they can swap tips and advice about what does work, and offer peer support and understanding. This helps people feel less alone. If you are part of a minority group, sometimes it can feel like you are the only one if you're only looking at the people you come across naturally e.g. through school/work/neighbours/friends of friends.

It helps scientists/researchers study that identified group to see whether there are commonalities or patterns, try to find out whether there is any likely underlying cause or mechanism, whether certain advice/approaches/therapies/medicines can help them.

It helps doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, cousellors, therapists etc to help people - if they can look at a textbook or research or treatment guidelines and see what usually helps people in that group, or they can say actually, I haven't treated many people in this group but that other person is a specialist/expert in it - I'll refer you to them.

It gives a name to a thing so that awareness can be raised generally in public so that people can have more empathy - e.g. somebody today might be more likely to recognise certain behaviour as being associated with autism rather than misreading it as hostile or rude. Because autistic people are a minority and you might not know someone who is autistic personally.

If you take a completely different type of label or identifier, e.g. "gay", can you see how it's helpful? Gay people are in a minority and so it is helpful to be able to visit gay clubs, gay dating sites, or set their orientation on a dating site etc in order to find other people who they might want to date, whereas if you have to guess at everyone's sexuality through randomly meeting them it would be much harder because the majority of people are heterosexual. Years ago, most people were prejudiced against homosexuality and thought it was wrong, now with awareness raising and Pride etc, most people understand being gay is a perfectly normal and healthy variation of human sexuality, and that prejudice against someone because of being gay is hurtful and wrong, whether or not you are personally gay or close to someone who is gay. While the medical side is not relevant in this case, and has even been used to harm the gay community in the past, there has been research etc which is impactful and relevant to gay people, there are health issues which have disproportionately affected the gay community which need research and attention, and there are wider societal changes which have been made e.g. recognition of same-sex marriage, protection in law against discrimination.

The argument about whether or not neurodiversity is a medical issue which needs "fixing" is a valid one, but I think the grouping together of people with similar experiences and characteristics so that they can receive support, clarity and better understanding is usually helpful. The important thing to me is that medical interventions should target improvements in life or reduced suffering for the target group, rather than targeting "making this group more like everyone else".

x2boys · 07/11/2025 16:11

67854568G · 07/11/2025 10:35

‘So, before a child has fully developed, they are diagnosed with a disorder. That’s disorientating. It's no wonder that a study has found that around 70% of children diagnosed with autism also suffer from depression and anxiety! Again, it’s worth asking who really benefits from these labels?’

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/opinion-this-obsession-with-diagnosing-kids-with-autism-and-adhd-is-ruining-their-lives-i-should-know/ar-AA1Iscvg?ocid=socialshare

It's a spectrum my son was diagnosed at three he's severely autistic with severe learning disabilities, having g a diagnosis meant he got the support he needed he's been in a special school since he was in reception.

Dr940p · 07/11/2025 16:17

What complete ignorance. Op needs to get her facts right before posting just rubbish. It’s well known that autism and adhd are under diagnosed in this country.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/report-of-the-independent-adhd-taskforce-part-1/

Of course depression is prevalent with both conditions the traits and impact on life makes depression far more likely .

NHS England » Report of the independent ADHD Taskforce: Part 1

April 2025

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/report-of-the-independent-adhd-taskforce-part-1

x2boys · 07/11/2025 16:19

SassyPearlEagle · 07/11/2025 14:26

I don't think anyone should be diagnosed with autism, ADHD etc unless they've had genetic tests and a brain scan to rule out other causes first.

I've known several ladies with Fragile X syndrome who weren't diagnosed for decades, and told they were just slow, depressed, anxious, BPD (is that even a real condition? Seems it's a common misdiagnosis for autistic women)

They all wish they'd known the truth sooner. Some of them unknowingly passed it onto their kids; the sons are more severely affected.

Some will never find out the cause ,in my sons case he has chromosome deletion, but i can think of a number of children / young adults who present very similarly to my son ie severely impacted, who have had tests and nothing has been found
Try still need the same support.

VanilleFraise · 07/11/2025 16:21

Its a diagnosis not a label

sweetpeaorchestra · 07/11/2025 16:22

The ADHD task force report says in England, recognised rates of ADHD are lower than the expected population prevalence. We have lower treatment rates of ADHD diagnosis than other European countries like Norway and Spain.

My 9 year old has been on ADHD medication recently and it’s enabled her to get to school on time, (she was refusing before), get compliments on her work - her handwriting is legible now. She can concentrate on Lego, and is so happy as it's her new passion and she could never follow the instructions before. I can now work full time as she's not school refusing.

So no I don’t think “over” diagnosis is ruining lives. Who exactly do you think benefits from this? It's a nightmare getting a diagnosis

SassyPearlEagle · 07/11/2025 16:33

x2boys · 07/11/2025 16:19

Some will never find out the cause ,in my sons case he has chromosome deletion, but i can think of a number of children / young adults who present very similarly to my son ie severely impacted, who have had tests and nothing has been found
Try still need the same support.

Agreed. Sometimes we'll never know the cause, and if they have the symptoms of autism, diagnose and support them.

I just think it's a shame there aren't more tests done. A lot of people are walking around with genetic mutations, or possibly mild brain damage or other medical issues, without knowing.

I am very 'autistic-like' myself, with speech difficulties too. No-one else in my family is similar. I'd love to know what's wrong with me! Not just a label of 'autism' but the actual cause. It's so hard to get tests/scans done though.

Part of the reason I'm staying childless is because I wouldn't want to risk passing this on - IF it is genetic. I wish I knew for sure.

NotEnoughKnittingTime · 07/11/2025 16:53

Guessing the OP thinks too much disability benefits is paid out but hiding behind bollocks like this. I wish my three year was neurotypical but it is becoming obvious he isn't. Nobody would choose to have a child that is delayed in development.

Dr940p · 07/11/2025 16:54

NotEnoughKnittingTime · 07/11/2025 16:53

Guessing the OP thinks too much disability benefits is paid out but hiding behind bollocks like this. I wish my three year was neurotypical but it is becoming obvious he isn't. Nobody would choose to have a child that is delayed in development.

You don’t get disability benefits for an autism or ADHD diagnosis. You get it for difficulties and the bar is high.

VanilleFraise · 07/11/2025 17:01

This

The over diagnosis of ADHD and autism is ruining children’s lives.
Ruby1985 · 07/11/2025 19:03

67854568G · 07/11/2025 13:19

That’s a quote from the psychologist who wrote the article. She’s most informed. I suggest you read things properly - comprehension is key - or keep your opinions to yourself.

I think you lack basic grammar and comprehension, as you are unable to distinguish between a male or female. It’s a male who wrote the article!!! Hahah the joke is totally on yourself my love ❤️

As for the article itself, it’s hardly a credible individual.

So before sharing your ‘opinion’ next time learn to distinguish between basics 🥰 and yes keep your naive opinions to yourself, I told you so!

NeedAnyHelpWithThatPaperBag · 07/11/2025 19:19

Some of this can be put down to being naturally introverted or extroverted. No pathology required.

Layer · 07/11/2025 19:23

Ds was diagnosed with Autism when he was 8 - the difference it made was teachers giving him the benefit of the doubt (ish) a bit more.
He was diagnosed with ADD age 20 - took medicine - life changing - totally life changing.
Still feel annoyed by how he was treated by teachers at school, fortunately he's not bitter. He's just focused on his future.

EsmeSusanOgg · 07/11/2025 19:24

FlyingUnicornWings · 07/11/2025 10:57

The under diagnosis ruined a hell of a lot of lives. I know that much.

Aye. Or if you were diagnosed but not causing problems the total lack of support!

Also, anxiety is often a general feature of neurodiversity - diagnosed or not.

67854568G · 07/11/2025 19:30

Ruby1985 · 07/11/2025 19:03

I think you lack basic grammar and comprehension, as you are unable to distinguish between a male or female. It’s a male who wrote the article!!! Hahah the joke is totally on yourself my love ❤️

As for the article itself, it’s hardly a credible individual.

So before sharing your ‘opinion’ next time learn to distinguish between basics 🥰 and yes keep your naive opinions to yourself, I told you so!

Aw you sound lovely! 🥰

OP posts: