Diagnoses of adult autism in Britain have increased tenfold since 2010, with a recent study suggesting this surge is largely driven by young women who also experience conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The rate of new autism diagnoses in adults rose from 0.6 to 6.4 per 10,000 person-years between 2010 and 2023, a significant increase.
Researchers analyzed health records from over 33 million adults across the UK and Sweden from 2010 to 2023. In the UK alone, more than 24.5 million records were examined, revealing a rise in diagnosed individuals from under one in 10,000 at the start of the period to over six in 10,000 by its end. The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, also indicated that approximately 4% of 16 to 20-year-olds in the UK received an autism diagnosis, a figure higher than previous estimates.
Those newly diagnosed with autism were also more likely to have a history of mental health conditions. In the UK, the proportion of individuals diagnosed with autism who also had a previous anxiety diagnosis rose from around 29% in 2010 to 58% in 2023. Rates of depression and ADHD among the newly diagnosed also increased. Concurrently, conditions traditionally associated with autism, such as epilepsy and intellectual disability, became less common among those receiving a new diagnosis, suggesting a shift in diagnostic patterns.
Experts are divided on the reasons behind this trend. Some suggest that cultural shifts in the understanding and definition of autism may be contributing, while others argue that increased recognition and improved diagnostic practices, particularly in identifying autism in women, are the primary drivers. Researchers involved in the study noted that the characteristics of adults receiving a diagnosis have changed dramatically since 2010.
Professor Dame Uta Frith, an autism research pioneer, commented that the distinct demographics of late-diagnosed individuals might offer clues to the causes, hinting at cultural rather than biological changes. Conversely, others, like Dr. Rachel Moseley, emphasize that the study highlights evolving diagnostic practices, not necessarily overdiagnosis or negative changes. The study authors themselves suggested that better awareness, discussion, and diagnostic changes could explain the rise.
This trend has also drawn attention to the role of private clinics. Professor Frith and clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Fisher have previously warned about the