10 February 2026
The vice-chair of RCPsychiS, Dr Pavan Srireddy, has been on BBC Radio Scotland to talk about the sharp rise in diagnoses of autism and ADHD among both children and adults.
Find out more about Dr Srireddy' s appearance.
Dr Pavan Srireddy, featured in the 25-minute discussion on the sharp rise in diagnoses of autism and ADHD among both children and adults. The programme also looked at the growing strain this is placing on health services, schools and families.
The conversation hosted by journalist Martin Geissler, featured Dr Srireddy providing clinical insight into why diagnosis rates have increased so significantly in recent years.
Pavan explains how improved awareness, evolving diagnostic criteria and better recognition of previously overlooked traits have all contributed to the rise.
Dr Srireddy also highlights how modern life - including changes in education, work environments, technology and social expectations - can interact with neurodivergent traits, sometimes making challenges more visible or harder to manage.
Importantly, he cautions against simplistic explanations and stresses that increased diagnoses do not necessarily mean conditions are becoming more common.
Alongside the clinical perspective, the programme includes a personal account from Kelly Given, a former Make Me Prime Minister finalist who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 24.
She reflects on growing up without understanding why she struggled in certain settings, the impact of a late diagnosis and the sense of clarity and validation it eventually brought. Her experience illustrates how many adults, particularly women, may have spent years masking neurodivergent traits without support.
The discussion also looks at the wider system under pressure. Waiting lists for assessments continue to grow, schools are struggling to meet pupils’ needs and parents are often left navigating complex pathways with limited guidance. The episode asks key questions about how society defines neurodivergence, how many people it affects, and whether current systems are equipped to respond effectively.
Overall, Scotcast presents neurodivergence as both a clinical and societal issue, underlining the need for better resourcing, earlier identification and more consistent support across education, healthcare and workplaces.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: laura.varney@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Contact Name: Laura Varney, Senior Media Officer (Devolved Nations)