If you're starting to explore autism – whether for yourself, your child or someone close to you – it can help to learn how understanding of autism has evolved over time, among the medical world and society as a whole. These changes don’t just affect who receives a diagnosis, but also shape how autism is talked about, understood and supported today. 

It’s a topic of some debate: why are we seeing more diagnoses of neurodivergent conditions, particularly autism and ADHD? And when we say more, we mean a lot more. One study from 2018 found there was a 787 per cent increase in autism diagnoses in the UK between 1998 and 2018. The increase was notable in females and adults.

Today (April 29, 2025) we are launching an early access release of our new app, Hazel, which offers immediate help to parents or carers of children who have neurodivergent traits but are struggling to get the support they need.

Have you noticed your child becoming distressed at the sound of a vacuum cleaner or perhaps they can’t bear the feeling of the seams in their socks? These behaviours might be more than just quirks. Sensory processing difficulties are particularly prevalent among autistic children.

It’s not always clear what routes are open to parents or carers who are considering an autism assessment for their child. Waiting lists vary dramatically across the country and there are different pathways depending on where you live.

The language around autism is a topic of much debate, including the term ‘diagnosis’. Here, we explore why some embrace it and others reject it and try to find a balanced approach that accounts for all views.

Rates of mental illness in England have been steadily rising since the turn of this century. The number of people with a common mental health condition, such as anxiety and depression, seeking treatment rose from 23.1 per cent in 2000 to 39.4 per cent in 2014. That’s an increase of more than two thirds.

Deciding whether to pursue an autism assessment for your child can be a difficult decision. Here we explore some of the benefits of opting to assess.