Behavioural Health

This study highlights how social media – particularly TikTok – is helping to shape understanding, identity, and community for neurodivergent individuals. 👍

Read more here: https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2025.0006
(Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos – Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders)

Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Content in Highly Viewed TikTok Videos | Autism in Adulthood Background: Social media allows users to connect with others’ experiences and points of view, with TikTok being the fastest-growing platform worldwide. Highly viewed videos related to neurodiversity on TikTok have an increasing role in understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals. Ho...

Research Roadmap: What Should Autism Assessment Look Like in 2025?

What Autism Assessments Should Look Like in 2025: A Research Roadmap A look back at 2024 research findings can give us some direction in conducting autism evaluations going forward.

There is little research looking at the experience of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as adults. Adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder face different challenges than children, and more research is needed to better understand those challenges.
The three overarching themes expressed issues with identity and relationships before and after the diagnosis and identified that the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adulthood impacted people’s adaptation to and assimilation (i.e. the making sense of and internalizing the diagnosis) of autism spectrum disorder. While the diagnostic process itself was confusing and disappointing for many, it often led to a sense of relief and clarity regarding past experiences and had effects on identity and self-esteem. It created opportunities to connect with other autistic individuals and to access services, though appropriate supports were widely lacking. Recommendations are made that the impact of the diagnosis on people’s identity and choices about telling others about their diagnosis, and whether and how people want to make adaptations, should be discussed and thought through in the process of diagnosis.

Ref:

The adult experience of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative meta-synthesis - Ingrid Kiehl, Ruby Pease, Corinna Hackmann, 2024 There is a dearth of research into the experience of adult diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and targeted research is needed to understand the needs of the...

Doesn't this story resemble our situation here in NZ?
The burden of carrying out diagnoses has been put on the individual and the private sector. Why isn't the government assisting at least by funding these services?

Is it really too easy to be diagnosed with ADHD? | Mike Smith I’m the NHS psychiatrist on Panorama. The episode revealed NHS services that are no longer fit for purpose, says consultant Mike Smith