Diagnoses of ADHD and autism in children have risen significantly in recent years — but are we seeing a true increase, or simply better awareness and access to diagnosis?
As schools and services come under pressure, parents and experts are asking whether the system is keeping up.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler came under fire in recent days after using the word "trend" when talking about increases in ADHD and autism referrals to CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service].
While Minister Butler followed up her comment at the time by saying that "trend" may have been the wrong word, critics including People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger accused the Minister of "gaslighting" families by framing the rise as a trend and called on her to "apologise or resign".
In a statement this evening, Minister Butler said: "I fully understand and recognise the need and value of an identity-affirming diagnosis of ADHD and autism for a person, and the importance of timely access to assessment, diagnosis and support.
"It is unacceptable to me that a child or young person in need of specialist support from CAMHs would wait up to 18 months. That was the focus of my comments last Wednesday and I want people to know I am determined to improve and expand ADHD services for people of all ages," she said.
The remarks have sparked a renewed debate around a true picture of the condition.
About one in 20 schoolchildren are now diagnosed with autism according to the Department of Education — a threefold increase in under a decade — placing growing pressure to provide adequate school places and supports.
Upfront with Katie Hannon at 9.35pm on RTÉ One this evening will examine what is behind the rise in ADHD and autism diagnoses and what needs to change.
Watch: Upfront with Katie Hannon's discussion on ADHD and autism
The programme will hear from parents who are struggling to find a school place for their children with additional needs.
Their questions will also be put to policymakers, campaigners and experts – including Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy, Adam Harris, founder and CEO of autism charity AsIAm, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin Brendan Kelly and GP Dr Sarah Carty.
Mr Harris says there is poor data on autism in Ireland, making it difficult to assess the scale of need.
"There's no registry, there’s no census question on autism — so we don’t have a proper, full picture," he says.
"We are seeing a sea change in understanding, with greater public awareness and improvements in clinical practice."
According to AsIAm’s most recent survey, 69% of autistic people also had at least one other diagnosis, most commonly ADHD.
Professor Brendan Kelly says that while there has undoubtedly been a rise in diagnoses in ADHD, the full context is more complex.
"We don’t know if there’s a surge, to be honest — ADHD is a relatively new diagnostic category in the way it’s being applied now," Prof Kelly said.
"There are incentives in schools – educational supports become available when there is a diagnosis – so if that is the gateway to educational support there can be a rush to diagnosis ," Prof Kelly added. "I have no problem with that, but I would prefer if educational supports were more closely linked to a child’s needs, rather than being strictly tied to a diagnosis."
With the increase in autism diagnosis, last Friday, the Department of Education confirmed the opening of 399 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year, which will provide places for 2,700 children — the majority of them autistic. That will bring the total number of special class places to nearly 4,000.
But for many families, the gap between diagnosis and support remains wide. Earlier this month, dozens of parents staged a sleep-out protest outside the Department of Education to highlight ongoing shortages in school places for children with special educational needs.
As families navigate long waits, and unclear pathways through diagnosis and support, the debate continues over what rising figures really mean — and whether the system is evolving fast enough to meet the needs of a growing number of neurodivergent children.
Upfront with Katie Hannon will examine the increase in ADHD and autism diagnoses on the 14 April edition of the programme at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
