The UK ADHD Task Force Interim Report: Four Wins And Two Blind Spots

By Dr. Nancy Doyle

First published via Forbes.com, Jun 25, 2025

The view from a motor vehicle side mirror through the window, with a blind spot mirror. – getty

The UK’s ADHD Task Force Interim Report has several important points to make which, if implemented, will improve the picture for ADHDers in the UK substantially. The report also has two serious blind spots – physical health and environments.

Firstly, the report is clear that ADHD remains under diagnosed in the UK, a not a rampant, uncontrolled TikTok trend. Using data comparisons from other European nations, the report indicates that in the UK we are behind on identifying the likely number of ADHDers and behind on providing treatment. Facts.

Secondly, the report is very clear that ADHD is a spectrum, and that people who are not diagnosed yet, or may fall just under the clinical diagnosis threshold still require adjustments and supports. The overlaps with Autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other neurodivergent conditions is made clear and provides a much-needed call for holistic diagnosis pathways, rather than the inefficient one-at-a-time approach.

Thirdly, the report is cautious but optimistic about digital shortcuts. The authors acknowledge that digital tools can be helpful for reducing data collection time, but clear that they are not effective at making the final diagnosis decision. They quote research that suggests digital health interventions such as companion or behavioural support apps work best in combination with a coach or health professional. This is a helpful and pragmatic approach and role models how healthcare policy can co-opt digitisation without a wholesale depersonalisation takeover. Busting the myth that apps can replace services very welcome indeed!

The Taskforce have made it clear that support should be offered based on presentation of difficulties, rather than after diagnosis. This means that schools and workplaces can start offering simple strategies and adjustments without waiting for ‘permission’ – a needs-led model. This is more efficient and more person-centred – our aim here is to optimize performance in education and school, to facilitate ADHD careers and social inclusion. The need for some noise-cancelling headphones and a study skills workshop is patently obvious, we don’t need a psychological assessment to tell us who deserves these things the most. We need to offer basic support as standard.

Whilst these are very helpful, they don’t explain, or address the substantial rise in referrals over recent years. Population prevalence is reasonably stable, but people who once sailed under the radar are increasingly unable to cope and dropping out of school and the labor force at record numbers. This is a national emergency, which won’t be solved by improved diagnosis, or psychological support, alone. We need a more biopsychosocial analysis to meet the need of the crisis.

The Royal Society of Medicine are exploring the link between ADHD and the Covid Pandemic. Post-viral syndrome and the overlap of ADHD with hypermobility syndromes may have contributed to much worsening symptoms of brain fog, concentration difficulties and fatigue.

Whilst cooccurrence with other neurotypes is featured in the report, the overlap with hypermobility syndromes is not. Physical symptoms are particularly debilitating and exacerbation of these following Covid correlates with the timelines of increased referrals. The Royal Society’s conference brings together a multi-disciplinary team to review treatment pathways and start syncing between cardiology, psychiatric, immunology and rheumatology specialists. The Taskforce needs to incorporate their findings.

“When a flower fails to thrive, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower itself.”

Sensory sensitivity for ADHDers is well-evidenced, meaning that there are some senses (typically noise) which are heard as louder, or brighter, or more intense. ADHDers have, in the past few decades, had to submit to an increasingly busy and beep-filled world, which is a significant change and exacerbates the impact of ADHD on education, careers and stress levels in general. Add that to the lack of movement in our increasingly sedentary world, and we have a significant drain on each individual’s ability to cope, which wasn’t there ten, twenty years ago, correlating with the longer tail of the rise in referrals.

I spoke with Kay Sargent from HOK who has recently published a book with her insights, “Designing Neuroinclusive Spaces.” She reports:

“The spaces we occupy have a profound effect on us – our health, well-being, ability to focus and be productive. Not everyone responds to stimulation in the built environment the same way. Some people are hypersensitive, or sensory avoiders, and may be overwhelmed by sounds, bright lights, busy spaces and need calmer, more structured spaces. But others are hyposensitive and actual seek out added stimulation. They might need to listen to music or be able to move and fidget and prefer some invigorating environments.”

However, Sargent is hopeful that we can address these issues by leveraging the science of design, not just the art of design, to create spaces where all can thrive.

“Businesses can assess their existing space, identify barriers and address the ones that are easy to change. That can include creating zones for quiet, focused work; allowing individuals to have some choice in where they sit and options for various sensory thresholds; reducing visual clutter within shared spaces; ensuring the color palette is aligned with the activity within that space and paint/change the ones that are triggering; improve wayfinding within the space; relocate noisy activities or equipment away from shared work spaces; incorporate sound dampening materials, masking, or headphones to address acoustics; and create areas where all can have access to natural daylight and views.”

Diagnosis and working on your personal development is only one part of the ADHD journey. If physical health and the built environment are driving a larger proportion of ADHD challenges in recent years, ignoring them in the taskforce will reduce the effectiveness of the investment. An evidence-based approach to policy is so very welcome, and a joined-up ecological analysis is required to understand the current situation. The report is very comprehensive on the psychology of ADHD, it needs to add the biology and sociology to get ADHDers back on track in the UK.

“Designing for neuroinclusion isn’t about creating special spaces for some people,” says Sargent. “It’s about recognizing the full spectrum of human needs and building environments that support everyone’s ability to thrive.”