The government review examining attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism in younger people has raised concerns about over-diagnosis, according to reporting from BBC Health. The review warned that society faces a shift from under-diagnosis toward over-diagnosis of these conditions.
The review focused specifically on children and young people, indicating that diagnostic practices for ADHD and autism may have swung too far in the opposite direction. Rather than missing cases as happened historically, clinicians may now be diagnosing these conditions more frequently than warranted.
No additional specifics about the review's methodology, timeline, or recommendations were provided in the available reporting. The BBC Health report does not detail which government body conducted the review, what specific diagnostic concerns were identified, or what changes to assessment practices the review proposed. The report also does not include comments from medical professionals, patient advocacy groups, or other stakeholders responding to the findings.
The distinction between under-diagnosis and over-diagnosis matters for young people and families. Under-diagnosis leaves individuals without needed support and accommodations. Over-diagnosis can lead to unnecessary medication and labeling. The balance between identifying those who genuinely need help and avoiding misclassification remains an ongoing challenge in pediatric mental health and neurodevelopmental assessment.