Talking on BBC Radio 4′s Autism Curve this month, Francesca Happé, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s Faculty London, mentioned: “An growing variety of persons are selecting to self-identify [as neurodivergent] with out in search of a analysis.”
Because of this, she says, “we might effectively already be at some extent the place there are extra neurodivergent self-identified individuals than neurotypical individuals.”
ADHD UK says just one in 9 individuals believed to have ADHD are identified. The Nationwide Autistic Society shares that roughly 750,000 autistic adults within the UK may additionally be lacking a proper analysis.
However whereas some clinicians have observed extra makes an attempt to “self-diagnose” on-line, a 2025 research discovered that solely 27% of the highest TikTok movies on autism confirmed correct info. One other 32% have been thought-about “overly generalised.”
Does that virality imply that self-diagnoses are doomed, or are individuals who suspect neurodivergences like dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, and autism utilizing extra complicated means to “self-diagnose?”
We spoke to Dr Mikki Lee Elembaby, a licensed psychologist from Readability Remedy NYC who specialises in autism and ADHD evaluation and analysis, in regards to the subject.
“It’s turning into an increasing number of frequent to listen to about people who diagnose themselves as neurodivergent”
Dr Elembaby says she has observed the “pattern” in her apply, particularly amongst youthful individuals.
“Many people come to me in search of formal autism evaluations after first self-identifying as autistic,” she tells us.
“And for probably the most half, I don’t consider it’s dangerous that extra persons are self-diagnosing. In my expertise, those that self-diagnose typically achieve this after in depth analysis, reflection, and neighborhood engagement.”
In different phrases, she has not seen many individuals who self-diagnose as nurodivergent due to “eccentricities” or movies about character quirks, as some worry.
For some, Dr Elembaby provides, self-diagnosis “fosters a deeper understanding of themselves and the way their mind works, permitting them to seek out more practical methods to navigate life.”
The Nationwide Autistic Society writes, “Folks report that figuring out as autistic earlier than or as a substitute of getting a proper analysis has had a constructive impact on their lives.”
Although the assessor stresses formal diagnoses might be life-changing, she provides self-diagnoses “might be particularly empowering for ladies and different people who’ve traditionally been ignored or misdiagnosed because of masking.
“It will possibly additionally present a way of reduction, readability, and neighborhood, particularly when entry to formal evaluation is restricted by [private] prices [or] lengthy waitlists.”
Formal diagnoses have their place, however Dr Elembaby doesn’t assume they’re for everybody
The autism assessor says that whereas “formal analysis nonetheless performs an necessary function and is commonly required for some functions, akin to tutorial or testing lodging,” and can assist with overlapping signs, she doesn’t really feel they’re wanted for each case.
“Whereas this will likely sound controversial coming from an evaluation specialist, I consider that not everybody wants a proper analysis,” she tells us.
“For those who’re not in search of formal lodging or providers, like tutorial helps or authorities advantages, self-diagnosis could also be sufficient to seek out neighborhood and entry casual helps.”
Some individuals, she provides, “fear about what it means to have a analysis of their medical data.” These fears might be based in actual prejudices and, the professional tells us, must be taken severely.
So, whereas the professional tells us it’s a terrific thought to hunt a proper analysis for those who really feel you want further assist – including, “in relation to in search of remedy for a analysis, akin to for ADHD, I do really feel {that a} formal analysis by a educated clinician is required” – she says she “understands” the shift.
“In lots of circumstances, self-diagnosis might be legitimate and extremely correct, particularly in autistic people. And if/when extra assist is required, an official analysis could be a beneficial instrument,” she ends.
You’ll be able to communicate to your GP for those who really feel you want an autism or ADHD analysis, or take a look at the Nationwide Autistic Society’s recommendation on whether or not to hunt an autism analysis particularly.
