25 June 2025 - Autism and ADHD Diagnostic Pathways for Children and Young People - Oral evidence

The Committee will hear from two panels of witnesses, including the Chair of the independent ADHD Taskforce, and the CEOs of ADHD UK and Ambitious About Autism. MPs will ask how accurate a picture they think the Government and NHS England have of the demand for autism and ADHD assessments. 

It is estimated that around 1 in 100 children are autistic and there are at least 700,000 people in the UK with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, while there may be nearly 2.5 million people in the UK with ADHD, of which 741,000 are children and young people.  

The average wait time from referral to a diagnosis of autism or ADHD in community health services is around two years and the Children's Commissioner has estimated that there are over 434,000 children waiting for their first contact with neurodevelopmental assessment services.  

This session will be an opportunity for MPs to ask what support could be provided to young people and their families while they wait for an assessment and Members will ask experts what immediate steps the Government could take that would have an impact on waiting lists and addressing existing demand. 

The Committee will also explore the role of independent providers and private providers in carrying out assessments and diagnosis and examine the relationship between the current issues in the SEND system and increased demand. MPs will question whether there is evidence that children and young people are being overdiagnosed as autistic and having ADHD. 

The session will also see MPs ask whether the Government needs to provide more funding to increase capacity in the system or develop new approaches. Members will explore how the assessment and diagnosis process could be changed to allow for more effective early identification and intervention and greater involvement from education.