Recognising ADHD - "This report reflects the experiences of so many people like me."

This statement was drafted in response to a report from Healthwatch England, published in May 2025: “Recognising ADHD: How to improve support for people who need it”.

“As someone who is already diagnosed as autistic and currently waiting for an ADHD assessment, I found this report both validating and frustrating. It puts into words what so many of us are living through – but the reality is, we need action, not just more evidence.

Like many others, I suspect I may be AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) – and understanding this possibility has helped me make sense of a lot about myself. But trying to get an official diagnosis for ADHD has been slow, unclear, and at times exhausting. The waiting times and lack of communication make you feel forgotten. And in the meantime, you're expected to just carry on without any tailored support.

Being autistic already means navigating a world that often isn't designed for you. Adding suspected ADHD to the mix makes things even more complex – especially when support services don’t talk to each other, and you're left to advocate for yourself at every step. It can feel like you're falling through the gaps.

I strongly support the recommendations in this report. Moving assessments into the community and equipping GPs and local teams to help would make a huge difference – especially for those of us who are neurodivergent in more than one way and don’t fit neatly into boxes. We also need practical support while we wait, not just afterwards.

There’s also a need for better understanding in workplaces. It’s not always easy to explain what you’re going through – especially when you’re undiagnosed – and reasonable adjustments shouldn’t depend on having a formal label. Just believing people and being flexible can go a long way.

This report reflects the experiences of so many people like me. I hope it’s a turning point – not just for awareness, but for real, joined-up support that treats us as whole people, not just conditions to be assessed."