The Fonagy Review: Why ADHD and Autism Support Shouldn't Wait for a Diagnosis

The recent Fonagy Review has sparked quite a debate, with some big headlines about ADHD and autism diagnoses. Are too many people being diagnosed? Are assessments always accurate? And why have diagnosis rates risen so dramatically?

They're important questions. But with so much attention on diagnosis rates, there's another question we shouldn't lose sight of. What about the people who need help right now?

Published in October 2026, the government-commissioned review looks at rising diagnosis rates, concerns around assessments and the growing pressure on services. One of its key recommendations is that people should be able to access support based on their individual needs, rather than having to wait for a formal diagnosis.

For many people, receiving an ADHD or autism diagnosis can be a huge relief. It can explain years of difficulties, provide reassurance and open doors to specialist services. But waiting lists can be long, and even when a diagnosis arrives, there may still be a great deal of support needed.

For autistic people in particular, receiving a diagnosis doesn't always come with ongoing support. There can be a sudden drop-off in contact with services, leaving people unsure where to turn next. And for those diagnosed with ADHD, long waits to access medication can leave them feeling stuck in limbo, waiting for life to move forward.

We've explored this in our previous article, What If You Know You're Autistic, But You've Never Been Assessed?. Whether someone has a diagnosis or not, their need for practical support is no less important.

A child who finds a busy, noisy classroom overwhelming still needs support. Someone struggling to keep on top of deadlines or cope with the demands of their job still needs practical solutions. And a parent trying to make sense of the SEND system still needs advice on what to do next.

These are difficulties that can and should be addressed, regardless of whether someone has received a formal diagnosis.

As Samantha Lavender, our Neurodiversity Advice Manager, explains:

"We speak to people every day who are struggling, whether that's a parent worried about their child or someone finding things difficult at work. Some have a diagnosis, some are waiting for one and others aren't sure whether they need one at all. What matters to us is understanding what's going on and giving them advice and strategies they can actually use. There's no reason that should have to wait.”

At Grace Consulting, we don't carry out diagnostic assessments. Our focus is on providing independent, specialist advice that helps people understand their difficulties, explore their options and put appropriate support in place.

For some families, that means helping them understand their child's needs and secure support at school. For others, it might be advice around an EHCP, school attendance difficulties or navigating the SEND system. We also advise adults who think they might be neurodivergent, as well as those with an existing diagnosis who need support in the workplace.

We work with employers, health plans, insurers and employee benefits providers too, making specialist neurodiversity and SEND advice available to employees and their families. Where someone wants to pursue a formal diagnosis, we can explain the available options and signpost them towards appropriate assessment services.

The debate around ADHD and autism diagnoses is important, and getting assessments right matters. But it's equally important that the conversation doesn't overlook the practical difficulties people are experiencing every day.

Children struggling at school, adults finding work increasingly difficult and parents trying to navigate the SEND system all need access to appropriate advice and support, whether or not they have a diagnosis.

A diagnosis can be an important part of understanding someone's needs, but it shouldn't be the starting point for getting help.

At Grace Consulting, providing that practical, individualised advice is what we do.

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Neurodiversity and Eldercare Support for Employers, Employee Benefits Providers and Health Insurers

Grace Consulting provides independent, specialist neurodiversity and eldercare advice for employers, HR teams, employee benefits consultants, health insurers and corporate healthcare providers across the UK.

Our services can be integrated into employee benefits packages, workplace wellbeing programmes, and corporate health insurance policies, giving employees and their families access to practical advice on ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, workplace adjustments, SEND, EHCPs and school-related difficulties. We also provide specialist eldercare advice, helping employees navigate care options, support services and the challenges of caring for ageing relatives.

Whether you're an HR manager looking to improve workplace wellbeing, an employee benefits provider expanding your offering, or a health insurer seeking specialist neurodiversity and eldercare services to complement existing healthcare cover, Grace Consulting can help.

Contact Grace Consulting to discuss adding specialist neurodiversity, SEND and eldercare advice to your employee benefits or healthcare provision.