20 Jun Recent Study Showing Autism Widely Overdiagnosed
A recent study (1) aimed to verify ASD diagnoses in children aged 5–12 through a standardized clinical reassessment conducted by specialists. All participants had previously received an ASD diagnosis outside of a research setting and were re-evaluated using the ADI-R, ADOS-2, and behavioral questionnaires completed by parents and teachers. In total, 53 % (122 children) had their ASD diagnosis confirmed by the evaluators, while 47 % (110 children) did not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for ASD. The study found that children who did not meet the criteria were more likely to present with other disorders, such as anxiety disorders, attention deficits, and language impairments. These findings suggest potential diagnostic errors, particularly in cases involving psychiatric comorbidities or nonspecific atypical development. (Sciencedirect.com, March-April 2026)
There are many overlaps with multiple disorders and Autism. For instance, those with Social Anxiety or even Generalized Anxiety have poor eye contact and social awkwardness. (See my other blog on the overlap between ASD and Social Anxiety.) Anxiety can cause one to retreat into their own obsessive world. Language Disorders and Auditory Processing Disorders often result in the patient avoiding people or just not responding appropriately.
However, the parent or professional is motivated by factors such as the Stigma associated, Status of various disorders, treatment options and secondary gains.
A. Stigma—Many people are finding the neurodiversity label of anything but especially Autism to be attractive. It explains why they are unique. A simple diagnosis of Anxiety is often not seen as satisfying by the same individuals. In short there are many groups of people who DESIRE the diagnosis of Autism. In my office, less than half who request an ASD diagnosis leave with one, and if they do, are often quite disappointed they have something as mundane as anxiety. Many look forward to wearing the Autism label as a Badge of Courage.
B. Status—Just think how you might react to someone telling you they have Autism vs. anxiety vs. ADHD. Autism is so often discussed and given accommodations, and people react positively to the diagnosis. Patients embrace the label. ADHD has become commonplace in the USA where diagnoses can be 10 times what they are in Europe. Most people see nothing attractive about anxiety hence shun the label, even if it best describes them. IF they are medicated for it, they often hide that fact. Folks with Autism and some with ADHD flaunt their diagnosis.
C. Treatment is nearly “free” (through your insurance company) and easily available for the newly diagnosed ASD child. The number one treatment is Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) which is administered through treatment centers. Insurance companies often authorize 20 + hours of treatment, a real bonus for struggling families.
Those treatment centers have exploded in number in the USA by 267% since 2022 (Behavioral Health Business 12/2025). Private and public insurance companies are experiencing tremendous increases in ABA treatment. Indiana Medicaid ABA spending rose from $21 million in 2017 to $611 million in 2023. Colorado ABA payments nearly tripled between 2019 and 2023. There has been an aggressive roll-out of ABA centers often supported by private-equity.
The point is you get no authorized 20 hours per week treatment with an anxiety or ADHD diagnosis.
Parents and even pediatricians are thrilled to have a place to send their struggling kids. Many doctors are thrilled to hear of an ASD diagnosis because they know that that child will be off their frequent flyer list.
D. Not only is very available treatment a plus, but so are disability checks and accommodation at workplaces. An Autism diagnosis can get these whereby ADHD and anxiety do not.
Accurate diagnosis is very important to the success of treatment and the self-administration of daily care, learning social skills and one’s attitude toward themselves.
Don’t look for these diagnoses because AuDHD is ‘cool’ on social media. Be true to yourself and get an honest assessment.
- S.W. Duvall, R.K. Greene, R. Phelps, T.M. Rutter, S. Markwardt, J. Grieser Painter, et al.
Factors associated with confirmed and unconfirmed autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in children volunteering for research
J Autism Dev Disord, 55 (5) (2025), pp. 1660-1672