Study finds UK autism diagnoses shifting towards people with mental health conditions
Researchers cite possible diagnostic changes while expert warns against conflating trends with declining validity
New research published in BMJ Mental Health suggests a shift in the profile of adults newly diagnosed with autism in the UK, with rates of new diagnoses rising from six per 100,000 people in 2010 to 64 per 100,000 in 2023. The proportion with prior diagnoses of ADHD, anxiety and depression increased, while the proportion with prior epilepsy and intellectual disability declined.