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KEY DATA 2021

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity describes the learning and thinking differences that young people may have, including autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and special educational needs.

Approximately 1-2% of young people aged 10-24 have autism spectrum disorder

Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD and hyperkinetic disorders)  

Key symptoms of ADHD are inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. It can affect educational attainment, peer relationships, self-esteem and result in challenging behaviour. In the NHS Digital epidemiological survey of children and young people in England (Sadler et al, 2018), the overall rate for all 5-19 year olds was 1.5%, but this varied substantially by age and gender. Of those aged 11-16, 3.2% of boys and 0.7% of girls met the criteria. Of those aged 17-19, 1.5% of boys, and 0% of girls met the criteria.

The picture seems rather different for the older age group. For those aged 16-24, the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey estimated that 14.6% of this age group screened positive for ADHD in 2014 (screening will produce a larger group than those actually meeting the criteria for diagnosis). In this age group, rates were broadly similar for young women and young men (McManus et al, 2016). Chart 5.1 shows that there was a slight increase in ADHD in this age group between 2007 and 2014, when the last data are available.

There has been a slight increase in ADHD in 16-24 year olds

Approximately 60 to 80 per cent of children with ADHD will have at least one other condition; such as a social communication disorder, dyslexia or dyspraxiaAs many as four out of five children with ADHD will have at least one other condition; such as a social communication disorder, reading problems (dyslexia) or motor difficulties (dyspraxia).

All data correct as of 1st November 2021

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