Majority of Britons Are Neurodivergent
False Assumption: A majority of Britons have neurodivergent conditions such as autism, dyslexia, or dyspraxia.
Written by FARAgent on February 11, 2026
In 2025, Francesca Happé, professor of cognitive neuroscience at King's College London, observed that a majority of Britons may now consider themselves neurodivergent. She attributed this to reduced stigma around conditions like autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. More people sought medical diagnoses or self-diagnosed, with younger generations openly claiming labels like dyslexic or ADHD.
Happé viewed the trend positively, citing increased tolerance as good, especially among late teens and early adults. Self-diagnoses swept England, expanding the scope of these conditions beyond traditional understandings.
Critics note the irony of minoritarianism, where privileging small victimized groups turns minorities into majorities. Growing questions arise about the validity of widespread self-diagnosis diluting clinical categories.
People Involved
- In the halls of London's academic circles, Francesca Happé emerged as a key voice on neurodivergence. As a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, she suggested that a majority of Britons might now see themselves as neurodivergent, thanks to fading stigma around conditions like autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. [1] She framed this shift as a positive development, one that fostered greater tolerance. [1]
- Among younger generations, Happé endorsed the growing embrace of these labels, viewing it as a step forward in societal understanding. [1] Critics argue this optimism overlooks potential overreach, though the debate lingers. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“Francesca Happé, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, said reduced stigma around these conditions had led more people both to seek medical diagnoses and to self-diagnose.”— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
“She said: “There’s a lot more tolerance, which is good — particularly among my children’s generation, who are late teens and early adults, where people are very happy to say ‘I’m dyslexic’, ‘I’m ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]’.””— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
Organizations Involved
The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London stood at the center of this evolving narrative. [1] There, researchers like Francesca Happé promoted the idea that reduced stigma around neurodivergence allowed for broader recognition and self-identification. [1] The institution's role in advancing such views highlighted how academic bodies could amplify assumptions about widespread neurodivergent traits among Britons. [1] Growing questions surround whether this promotion served institutional interests in expanding mental health discourse, yet the consensus remains split. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“Francesca Happé, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London”— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
The Foundation
The assumption took root in observations of Britain's changing attitudes toward mental health. Reduced stigma around autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia encouraged more people to seek diagnoses or self-identify, fueling the notion that these conditions affected a majority. [1] Proponents saw this as a correction to past underreporting, making the idea seem credible through anecdotes of newfound openness. [1] Mounting evidence challenges whether this prevalence is as universal as claimed, with critics arguing it stems from broadened definitions rather than true epidemiology. [1] The foundation held firm for years, grounded in social progress narratives, even as debates intensified. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“reduced stigma around these conditions had led more people both to seek medical diagnoses and to self-diagnose.”— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
How It Spread
By the time the idea gained traction, it spread swiftly among Britain's youth. Late teens and early adults began claiming neurodivergent labels openly, driven by a wave of increased tolerance. [1] Social media and public discussions amplified this trend, turning personal stories into a broader cultural shift. [1] What started in academic papers filtered into everyday conversations, with younger Britons leading the charge. [1] Critics argue this propagation risks inflating numbers beyond evidence, though supporters see it as empowerment; the matter stays contested. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“particularly among my children’s generation, who are late teens and early adults, where people are very happy to say ‘I’m dyslexic’, ‘I’m ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]’.””— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
Harm Caused
As the assumption took hold, unintended effects surfaced in Britain's social landscape. The rise of minoritarianism, where minority experiences expand to encompass majorities, began diluting the very meaning of neurodivergent categories. [1] Labels once reserved for specific challenges spread widely, potentially eroding their utility for those most in need. [1] Growing questions surround this dilution, with critics pointing to a loss of precision in mental health discussions. [1] The harm, if real, unfolded quietly, reshaping how Britons viewed normalcy amid ongoing debate. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“The triumph of minoritarianism (the belief in the greatest good for the smallest numbers of officially victimized and thus privileged people) inevitably leads to minorities becoming the majority.”— A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"
Sources
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A Majority of Brits Call Themselves "Neurodivergent"reputable_journalism