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Adult autism diagnoses in Britain have surged tenfold since 2010, driven largely by young women who also have ADHD and anxiety

A woman with ADHD, a condition now among those most commonly linked to new autism diagnoses, which rose from 6 to 64 per 100,000 adults in Britain between 2010 and 2023.
A woman with ADHD, a condition now among those most commonly linked to new autism diagnoses, which rose from 6 to 64 per 100,000 adults in Britain between 2010 and 2023.
A data graphic showing that roughly 4 per cent of 16-to-20-year-olds in Britain now hold an autism diagnosis, up from near-zero at the start of the study period.
A data graphic showing that roughly 4 per cent of 16-to-20-year-olds in Britain now hold an autism diagnosis, up from near-zero at the start of the study period.

A landmark study that analysed health data covering more than 33 million adults in the UK and Sweden found that the rate of new autism diagnoses climbed from six per 100,000 people in 2010 to 64 per 100,000 by 2023. Some experts attribute the trend to "cultural changes" in how autism is defined and warn of overdiagnosis, while others argue it reflects improved recognition of the condition.

Around 4% of 16-to-20-year-olds in the UK now carry an autism diagnosis, with rates climbing steeply after 2020.

The profile of those receiving diagnoses has shifted — associations with epilepsy and intellectual disability have declined, while links to ADHD, anxiety, eating disorders and chronic fatigue have grown sharply.

Between 2010 and 2023, the share of autistic adults who had previously been diagnosed with anxiety more than doubled, rising from 29% to 58%.

MoreiNewsHow autism diagnoses are 'increasingly linked to ADHD'Daily MailAutism diagnoses risen 10-fold since 2010 - mostly in young womenLBCAutism diagnosis increasingly linked to also having ADHD and anxiety, research says - LBCThe IndependentAutism diagnoses rise among those with ADHD, anxiety and depressionThe SunAutism diagnoses surge 10-fold in 13 years as study finds 'characteristics' have shifted over time - The SunMedical XpressMajor changes discovered in medical profiles of adults diagnosed with autism since 2010 - Medical Xpress
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