I hated myself so much…and now I love myself. I’m not perfect. But I’ve accepted myself now.

I hated myself so much…and now I love myself. I’m not perfect. But I’ve accepted myself now.

That was how one person described the impact of receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis when my colleagues and I interviewed them about their mental health.

For this participant, finally understanding why they had struggled for so long had transformed how they felt about themselves.

Their experience highlights an important issue as the NHS considers changes to how people receive support for autism and ADHD.

A recently published independent review, commissioned by the government, recommends that people in England should be able to receive help according to their needs without waiting for a formal diagnosis.

This could make an enormous difference to people who currently spend years waiting for an assessment. But while earlier support is welcome, diagnosis can have benefits that go far beyond helping someone access treatment.

Autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are conditions that affect how people experience and respond to the world. Autism can affect communication, social interaction and how someone experiences their surroundings. ADHD can affect attention, organisation and the ability to control impulses. Both vary considerably from person to person.

Demand for assessments has increased dramatically. By the end of 2025, more than 560,000 ADHD referrals and 254,000 autism referrals remained open in England.

These growing waiting lists mean people can struggle for years without understanding their difficulties or receiving........

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