Due to a huge increase in awareness of neurodiversity, more people than ever are seeking diagnoses for ADHD and autism. In fact, as of 2021, there has been a 150% increase in the number of autistic adults over the age of 35 receiving a diagnosis. 

This has resulted in seriously lengthy waiting times for NHS diagnostic services – in some areas of the UK, people are reporting waiting lists of up to seven years. This poses an insurmountable risk to the lives of neurodivergent people, who without a formal diagnosis cannot access the workplace or educational support.

With the only other route to diagnosis in the UK being to pay privately for assessment, many people are self-diagnosing after extensive personal research has helped them finally make sense of the challenges they’ve faced in life and work.

While we fully support and accept self-diagnosis here at Joyfully Different, we also understand why many neurodivergent folks want to seek a more formal or ‘official’ diagnosis for autism or ADHD.

But what are the benefits, drawbacks and practicalities of seeking an official diagnosis for ADHD or autism?

For our January roundtable, we were joined by Ana Aragon and Sophie Longley from Autistic Thoughts, an autistic-run business providing specialist diagnosis, counselling and mentorships for neurodivergent individuals and their families. 

We explored how a formal diagnosis can impact your life, discussing questions including:

• Why are so many neurodivergent misdiagnosed or late-diagnosed as autistic or as having ADHD?
• What is the impact of an ‘official’ diagnosis from an emotional, self-compassion and identity perspective?
• What is the practical and societal impact of getting a formal autism or ADHD diagnosis?
• What are the differences between going through the assessment process with Neurotypical professionals vs Neurodivergent professionals?