Recent data from the University of Leeds and Born in Bradford show an ethnicity gap in diagnosis among South Asian children compared to their White British peers. Data found 3.96% of White British boys received an autism diagnosis before the age of 18, compared to only 1.08% of South Asian children. This gap was found to be particularly significant between South Asian girls and White British boys who are diagnosed 10 times more the rate of the girls.
Researchers say these differences are not due to low prevalence, but to cultural stigma, language barriers and differences in how autistic traits are recognised, factors that are also widely reported across South London’s diverse communities.
Cultural stigma
Cultural stigma has a significant impact on autism and ADHD referral and assessment processes, with many parents reluctant to seek advice. The Born in Bradford research highlighted this through families such as Faman’s. Speaking to ITV News, Faman’s mother, Fazila, explained that her relatives “do not believe autism exists”, instead describing her son’s behaviour as being a “hyper baby”.
This sentiment was similarly shared by another mother, Hinna, who told ITV News that stigma can discourage South Asian parents from seeking help:
“I think there is a taboo in our community. A lot of people will hold back on getting a diagnosis”.
This stigma is also present in South London, where many families fear judgement from relatives or community members. A 2025 service evaluation from a South London GP practice found that cultural stigma and misunderstanding often lead families to delay seeking help or return repeatedly before a referral is accepted. The study showed:Â
- 59% of CAMHS referrals were rejected placed on waiting lists
- Families made 88 extra GP or A&E consultations while waiting
- ADHD referrals had the highest rejection rate of 14%
- Many families needed multiple referrals before being accepted
These barriers are not new. In 2022, a South East London mother, Atinuke Awe, told MyLondon that members of her community often dismissed autism, saying her son would “grow out of it” or that she “needed to pray more.” She described falling into depression after her son’s diagnosis before realising she needed to educate herself and challenge misconceptions.
Atinuke said:
“We’re just not having the right conversation yet… I want to use my platform to change things for the next generation.”
Her experience mirrors the findings of the University of Leeds and Born in Bradford research, which shows that cultural stigma continues to discourage families from seeking early assessment.
Language Barriers
The Born in Bedford research also found that there is no direct word for “autism” in many South Asian languages, making it difficult to raise awareness and recognise neurodivergence or describe concerns to others. In Fazila’s case, in her native language Urdu, the word “autism” does not exist.
These challenges are present in South London as seen in a recent survey conducted in South East London found that 56% of autistic respondents lacked services that support communication needs and 65% of autistic responders reported the need for improved services to help understand their autism.
These major gaps within services make it difficult for parents and children to navigate the system and advocate for their children.
Gaps in services and support across South London
The Leeds and Born in Bradford research highlights that delayed diagnosis is only one part of the problem. Even after families receive an autism or ADHD diagnosis, many struggle to access appropriate support. This pattern is echoed across South London.
South East London Integrated Care System found that while 89% had accessed support services, the majority still felt their needs were not being met. The most common service used was mental health support (78%), yet 75% said the biggest gap they experienced was “services that support my mental health needs.” This suggests that although mental health services are available, they are often not tailored to neurodivergent users.
System pressures and long waiting times in South London
Even when families overcome cultural stigma and language barriers, many face long waits for assessment. A recent Freedom of Information response from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) shows the scale of the challenge.
As of mid‑2026, 4,643 adults were waiting for an ADHD or autism assessment across Lambeth, Lewisham and Croydon. Only 181 adults were assessed in the previous year, meaning demand vastly outstrips capacity. Patients currently being booked have waited four years and eight months for an appointment.
Children face similar delays. SLaM reported 2,748 children waiting for an ADHD assessment, with an average wait of 19 months. The Trust said it could not predict when newly referred patients would be seen due to uneven funding across boroughs and ongoing outsourcing work.
These figures highlight the pressure on South London’s diagnostic pathways. SEND teams say long waits disproportionately affect families from minority backgrounds, who may already face cultural stigma or uncertainty about how to navigate the referral system. Practitioners warn that delayed diagnosis can lead to worsening mental health, school exclusion, and missed opportunities for early intervention.
The Leeds and Born in Bradford findings highlight long‑standing inequalities that continue to affect families across South London. Cultural stigma, language barriers, recognition differences and long waiting times all contribute to delayed diagnosis, and gaps in support mean many children and adults struggle even after receiving one. Practitioners say improving culturally informed training, expanding diagnostic capacity and strengthening post‑diagnosis support are essential to ensure neurodivergent people from all communities receive timely, appropriate care.Â
