ADHD and autism diagnoses among over-50s surge by 79% in just seven months, new study finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 11 October 2026 · last updated 12 October 2026.

The number of over-50s declaring ADHD or autism on travel insurance policies leapt from 2,613 in all of 2025 to 4,676 in just the first seven months of 2026. ADHD declarations across all ages more than doubled, with 21,620 cases recorded by January to July 2026 against 9,938 for the whole of the previous year. The figures from insurer Staysure coincide with a Department of Health and Social Care independent review examining whether neurodivergent conditions are being diagnosed accurately or too freely.

Across all age groups, mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions appeared on travel insurance policies 335,739 times in the first seven months of 2026 — a 72% rise on the previous year.

Staysure's Simon McCulloch said people are 'finally receiving a diagnosis including those in later life' after years of going undetected.

Experts warn that for neurodivergent travellers, aspects of a holiday others barely notice can make travel significantly more challenging.