The Rise in Neurodivergence

Written by Faye | CBT Therapist | F&B Digital Therapy

In times gone by, having something seen as ‘different’ would often make you a target. Many older generations recall being picked on for having glasses or red hair. In modern times, the bigger the glasses, the better! Women are now intentionally dyeing their hair red/ginger because we’ve realized it’s actually pretty beautiful. Kids who struggled with reading or writing in the past were often given derogatory names like ‘thick’ or ‘stupid.’ However, we now understand that many of those children may have been undiagnosed with dyslexia, a condition that comes under the term ‘neurodivergence’ and can now be identified early and does not reflect on a person’s intelligence.

The way we understand the world and the diversities within it is constantly evolving. Having a particular hair color doesn’t make someone ‘ugly’ or ‘beautiful.’ Our opinions are shaped by societal ‘norms’ – what we hear from others, what we see around us, and what influences us, whether through media, conversations, or experiences.

In the past, it was not acceptable to be different. We chastised people, sent them away, and certainly didn’t think they were worthy of support. However, by the 2010s, ‘neurodiversity’ began to gain mainstream attention. People started opening up about their experiences, including high-profile figures like Daniel Radcliffe (who has dyspraxia) and Richard Branson (who has dyslexia). We saw that their differences didn’t hinder their careers or success, and we began to wonder if neurodivergence might be much broader than we once thought.

Now, societal perceptions have come a long way. Celebrities like Lewis Capaldi and Billie Eilish (who have Tourette syndrome), Florence Welch (who has dyslexia and dyscalculia), Emma Watson (who has ADHD), and activist Greta Thunberg (who has autism) are speaking about their neurodivergence in the public eye. These are individuals who are admired by many and have succeeded in their craft. If they can be successful and neurodivergent, maybe it’s not something to be ashamed of anymore.

The Surge in Neurodivergent Self-Identification

The NHS estimates that approximately one in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent. This figure includes both those with formal diagnoses and those who self-identify.

Professor Francesca Happé, a cognitive neuroscience professor at King’s College London, states that there has been a surge in self-identification of neurodivergence. This is partly due to societal perceptions changing, the reduction of stigma associated with neurodivergence, and increased acceptance.

However, this surge has led to longer waiting lists for diagnosis. Waiting times vary depending on location. In my hometown, NHS waiting lists are around three years for a diagnosis. As a result, more people are turning to the ‘Right to Choose’ – a legal right to choose a healthcare provider outside your area for a quicker diagnosis. But even these services are increasingly overwhelmed and closing or pausing referrals to keep up with the demand.

Because of this, some people choose not to seek an official neurodivergent diagnosis at all, instead opting for self-diagnosis as a way to acknowledge their struggles without needing a label. For others, obtaining a diagnosis is crucial for understanding themselves and accessing support. However, with such long waiting lists, many are stuck in limbo, strongly suspecting they’re neurodivergent but unable to confirm it for months or even years.

Benefits of Neurodivergent Diagnosis and Self-Identification

There’s a cliché I often use with my clients: ‘knowledge is power.’ If we don’t know what the problem is, it can be difficult to make it better. But when we understand the issue, it opens up options for improvement. Formulation is a significant part of early CBT sessions, where we work together to understand a problem in its entirety.

When people understand that they are neurodivergent—or might be—it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Before I had my assessment for dyspraxia, I spent a long time chastising myself for being forgetful, clumsy, and unable to manage daily life without feeling overwhelmed. My executive dysfunction made me believe I was lazy, not good enough, and all the other negative thought patterns one could imagine.

When I finally understood that I was experiencing life in a slightly different way, I realized I was actually doing a pretty great job! Understanding my neurodivergence helped me shift my perspective.

Diagnosis isn’t for everyone, and I believe it’s a personal choice, but those who suspect they are neurodivergent and feel that a diagnosis could improve their self-esteem, understanding, and life should absolutely be able to explore it.

How Formal Diagnoses Can Aid in Accessing Educational Support & Communicating Personal Needs

Understanding our struggles makes it easier to communicate our needs with others—whether that’s in workplaces, with colleagues, or with family. Recently, I realized that I struggle with auditory processing, particularly with numbers. If someone speaks them quickly, I can’t remember them after the first few digits. Before knowing about my auditory processing difficulties, I would have felt embarrassed not being able to keep up. But now I can say, ‘Sorry, I struggle to process numbers. Can you say it a little slower, please?’

Communicating our needs requires first understanding our own needs. Without a diagnosis, we may not fully understand ourselves and, as a result, might struggle to accept our differences. This can lead to burnout, poor self-esteem, and even depression as we try to fit a mold that doesn’t suit us.

Concerns About Over-Diagnosis

A question that people understandably ask is, ‘Are we over-diagnosing?’ and ‘How many people have to be neurodivergent for it to no longer be ‘divergent’?’ It’s an interesting debate. The number of ADHD medication prescriptions increased by 66% from 2019/2020 to 2023/2024. While NHS records show that only 0.32% of UK adults are diagnosed with ADHD, research suggests the actual rate is closer to 3-4%. Even with this discrepancy, 3-4 people out of every 100 is still far from the majority, so in my opinion, it’s still very much divergent.

This number may continue to grow, especially as waiting lists are full of people seeking diagnoses. However, even if we see the rate double, it’s still not the majority. Some groups have also been historically under-diagnosed—particularly girls, who are often missed in childhood due to being quiet, well-behaved, or seemingly better at social skills. Black boys have also been underrepresented, frequently being stigmatized for poor behavior, more likely to be expelled or suspended from school, and often diagnosed with autism much later than their White peers. Many children currently on waiting lists may be those who were missed earlier.

As I often tell my clients, no one is a finished product. We are all works in progress, and as each year passes, we continue to discover more about ourselves—our bodies, brains, and everything that makes us human. Researchers are constantly learning, and new studies will always be released. What we know now about neurodivergence may look very different in the years to come.

Conclusion

Neurodivergence is a spectrum, meaning everyone on it will have a slightly different experience, though they share similar symptoms. Our understanding of the world, our bodies, and brains is always evolving. Diagnoses of neurodivergent conditions may continue to increase, or they may level out, but whatever happens, our understanding will undoubtedly continue to shift and change with the times.

After all, we are never a finished product. Meet yourselves—and others—with kindness wherever possible.

Faye 🌸

If you’re navigating neurodivergence in adulthood & want to build confidence with a therapist who understands, we can help.