UK Parliament home

Open Autism & ADHD Screening Mandatory for Women Before Diagnosis of Mood Disorders

Created by Katy Dwyer
Closes on

Require Autism and ADHD screening for women before mood disorder diagnoses. Introduce neurodivergence-informed pathways, ensure clinicians are trained in how Autism and ADHD present in women, and improve diagnostic accuracy to reduce harm, stigma, and incorrect labels.

Women are often underdiagnosed with Autism and ADHD, especially those who mask or appear “high functioning.” Their traits are frequently misinterpreted as mood swings, trauma responses, or personality disorder. Many women receive C-PTSD, BPD, Bipolar, or EUPD diagnoses without neurodivergence assessment, leading to harm, stigma, and inappropriate treatment.

Sign this petition

83 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Related activity

    ADHD diagnosis: debate in Parliament

    On 20 January, MPs took part in a debate entitled "ADHD diagnosis" in Parliament.

    This was a Westminster Hall debate led by Bill Esterson MP. Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed MP responded on behalf of the Government.

    Explainer

    Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.

    They are a way to:

    • raise awareness of an issue
    • seek to influence government policy
    • put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.

    They do not involve a vote on a particular action or decision.

    See our visual explainer on how these debates work.

    Your UK Parliament newsletter

    Sign up to a regular newsletter on the work of Parliament and how to get involved.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 15 June 2026.