Yes, Autism Self-Diagnosis Is On The Rise – But The Moral Panic Is The Real Issue

Woman in profileSpeaking on BBC Radio 4′s Autism Curve this month, Francesca Happé, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London, said: “An increasing number of people are choosing to self-identify [as neurodivergent] without seeking a diagnosis.”As a result, she says, “we may well already be at a point where there are more neurodivergent self-identified people than neurotypical people.” ADHD UK says only one in nine people believed to have ADHD are diagnosed. The National Autistic Society shares that roughly 750,000 autistic adults in the UK may also be missing a formal diagnosis.But while some clinicians have noticed more attempts to “self-diagnose” online, a 2025 study found that only 27% of the top TikTok videos on autism showed accurate information. Another 32% were considered “overly generalised.” Does that virality mean that self-diagnoses are doomed, or are people who suspect neurodivergences like dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, and autism using more complex means to “self-diagnose?”We spoke to Dr Mikki Lee Elembaby, a licensed psychologist from Clarity Therapy NYC who specialises in autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis, about the topic.“It is becoming more and more common to hear about individuals who diagnose themselves as neurodivergent” Dr Elembaby says she has noticed the “trend” in her practice, especially among younger people. “Many individuals come to me seeking formal autism evaluations after first self-identifying as autistic,” she tells us. “And for the most part, I don’t believe it is harmful that more people are self-diagnosing. In my experience, those who self-diagnose often do so after extensive research, reflection, and community engagement.” In other words, she has not seen many people who self-diagnose as nurodivergent because of “eccentricities” or videos about personality quirks, as some fear.For some, Dr Elembaby adds, self-diagnosis “fosters a deeper understanding of themselves and how their brain works, allowing them to find more effective ways to navigate life.” The National Autistic Society writes, “People report that identifying as autistic before or instead of having a formal diagnosis has had a positive effect on their lives.” Though the assessor stresses formal diagnoses can be life-changing, she adds self-diagnoses “can be especially empowering for women and other individuals who have historically been overlooked or misdiagnosed due to masking.“It can also provide a sense of relief, clarity, and community, especially when access to formal assessment is limited by [private] costs [or] long waitlists.” Formal diagnoses have their place, but Dr Elembaby doesn’t think they’re for everyone The autism assessor says that while “formal diagnosis still plays an important role and is often required for some purposes, such as academic or testing accommodations,” and can help with overlapping symptoms, she doesn’t feel they’re needed for every case.“While this may sound controversial coming from an assessment specialist, I believe that not everyone needs a formal diagnosis,” she tells us. “If you’re not seeking formal accommodations or services, like academic supports or government benefits, self-diagnosis may be enough to find community and access informal supports.”Some people, she adds, “worry about what it means to have a diagnosis in their medical records.” Those fears can be founded in real prejudices and, the expert tells us, should be taken seriously.So, while the expert tells us it’s a great idea to seek a formal diagnosis if you feel you need extra support – adding, “when it comes to seeking medication for a diagnosis, such as for ADHD, I do feel that a formal evaluation by a trained clinician is needed” – she says she “understands” the shift. “In many cases, self-diagnosis can be valid and highly accurate, especially in autistic individuals. And if/when more support is needed, an official evaluation can be a valuable tool,” she ends.You can speak to your GP if you feel you need an autism or ADHD evaluation, or look at the National Autistic Society’s advice on whether to seek an autism diagnosis specifically. Related...We’re Missing Autism in Women –These 6 Signs Explain Why'It Treats Us Like Children' – What 5 Autistic People Think Of Netflix's Love On The SpectrumLove On The Spectrum Stars Had This To Say About RFK Jr’s Remarks On Autism

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