Autism is not over-diagnosed in the UK – Mental Health Today

The Royal College of Psychiatrists, which represents 34,000 doctors around the world, respond to a controversial article in the Daily Mail authored by their former President, which claimed parents chase diagnoses to ‘avoid their own failings’.

“There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” In recent times, neurodevelopmental conditions have not had to worry about falling victim to Oscar Wilde’s warning.

Former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Mike Shooter grabbed headlines recently by suggesting that neurodevelopmental conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in children are being “vastly, and dangerously, over-diagnosed”. He says that parents are seeking out diagnoses like a “badge of honour”.