A growing number of Britons are now self-identifying as neurodivergent, with some experts suggesting they may even outnumber the neurotypical population, according to The Times UK. The shift is being driven by reduced stigma, broader definitions of conditions like autism and ADHD, and a rise in both medical diagnoses and self-diagnosis.
Professor Francesca Happé, a cognitive neuroscientist at King’s College London, said the growing willingness among people—particularly younger generations—to embrace labels such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism reflects a societal transformation. “There’s a lot more tolerance, which is good,” Happé told the BBC in a new Radio 4 series, The Autism Curve. “People are very happy to say, ‘I’m dyslexic’, ‘I’m ADHD.’”
According to Happé, this openness is resulting in a sweeping cultural shift. “We may well already be at a point where there are more neurodivergent self-identified people than neurotypical people,” she said. Including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other cognitive differences, the so-called “typical” brain may now be the exception rather than the rule.
The rise in self-identification, however, has sparked debate. Some experts question whether everyday eccentricities and personality quirks are being prematurely pathologized. “There is a risk,” Happé noted, “that what we would once have thought of as a bit of eccentricity is now being labelled with a medical term. Whether that’s helpful or not is a discussion we need to have.”
Diagnoses of autism in particular have surged, rising by 787 percent in the UK between 1998 and 2018. Currently, one in every 36 children is estimated to be on the autism spectrum, compared to one in 2,500 eight decades ago. This trend, explored in The Autism Curve, also reflects greater awareness and accessibility of assessments.
High-profile figures such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Elon Musk, Chris Packham, and Daryl Hannah have publicly shared their diagnoses, further reducing stigma and broadening public understanding of neurodivergence. The shift has empowered many to seek diagnoses not only for themselves but also for older relatives. “You see people coming in for a first diagnosis of autism in their seventies,” said Happé. “Sometimes it’s after the death of a supportive partner or a grandchild being diagnosed, which prompts reflection across generations.”
The benefits of diagnosis, according to Happé, extend beyond clinical insight. It can help children access educational resources and support services—often only available with an official diagnosis. It can also help individuals explain their needs in everyday social settings. For example, Happé recalled an autistic woman who previously spent ten minutes in restaurants explaining her dietary preferences. “Now she can just say: ‘I’m autistic. I have sensory issues.’”
The programme also raises concerns about underdiagnosis in specific groups. Women, black boys, and the elderly are frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely. Some older adults, previously believed to have dementia, were later found to be autistic after further assessment.
The broadening understanding of neurodivergence is reshaping how Britain defines normalcy. While some worry about over-diagnosis, Happé and others view this evolution as a sign of progress. “This is going to change society,” she said. “But not in a bad way.”
