ADHD and autism at risk of over-diagnosis, says government review

There is a risk of people being over-diagnosed with ADHD and autism, an official review in England has found.

Experts said a rise in diagnoses over the past 25 years meant cases now appear to be outstripping the expected number in the population for some younger age groups.

The review called for tougher regulation of private firms offering assessments for the NHS, saying they had concerns about quality and consistency, and a ban on advertising.

It concluded economic uncertainty combined with social media was driving an increase in mental health problems among young people and said there needed to be better support in place for all conditions.

The review - led by leading doctors in the field - was ordered 10 months ago by Wes Streeting after the then-health secretary claimed in an interview that young people were over-diagnosed and "written off".

It looked at people of all ages, but particularly focused on young people and children who have the highest rates of diagnoses.

It is likely to feed into government policies on everything from NHS services and benefits to support for young people who are not in education, employment or training.

The experts said too often diagnoses of mental health problems and ADHD and autism were ending up as labels that defined people by their "difficulties rather than their strengths and potential", harming their prospects at school, in work and in relationships.