Neurodiversity and healthcare access: Croydon patient perspectives

Healthwatch Croydon undertook a survey about neurodivergent people's access to and experience of healthcare.  29 people responded.

Autism and ADHD were the most frequently reported diagnoses, often overlapping with other neurodiverse and mental health conditions—highlighting the complexity and co-occurrence many patients experience, from even this limited sample.

Most respondents received their diagnosis in adulthood, reflecting the possibility of late diagnosis. Most respondents felt that they were not adequately supported with their diagnosis as well as the advice given suggesting gaps in information and support. Many respondents faced long waits or unclear pathways to diagnosis, with some turned away and others seeking private assessment, highlighting unequal access.

Many participants described daily struggles with executive functioning, sensory overload, and social interaction—often leading to stress, burnout, and difficulty navigating healthcare and work environments.

GPs and mental health services are most used, highlighting complex needs, while social work is rarely accessed— suggesting limited awareness or eligibility.

Many participants felt dismissed and struggled with communication when accessing health and social care, emphasising the need for tailored, neurodiversity-aware services and holistic mental health support. Feeling listened to often depended on knowing how to navigate the system, with many reporting minimised concerns and poor understanding of neurodiversity by healthcare staff.

Most did say that they had enough time to speak to their healthcare professional but when explaining why they still felt rushed or did not have enough time. Some had inconsistent experiences and felt they were not being listened to or recognised, or there was a lack of understanding. Most respondents felt misunderstood by health professionals, highlighting gaps in knowledge, lack of empathy, and system-level failures in recognising neurodiverse needs.

Participants highlighted the need for diverse, long-term, and culturally aware support tailored to neurodivergent needs. Most participants had not received wellness guidance, relying instead on self-led resources due to poor service continuity and condition-specific support.

While many found the project useful, mixed responses suggest a need for clearer communication and more accessible, tailored engagement with neurodiverse communities, and further studies to understand their experiences and needs.

Most respondents did not have awareness of the support organisations that are available to them, with the exception of some peer-led groups like Inaspectrum This gap highlights a need for more promotional work from local charities and voluntary, community and faith organisations support those with specific neurodiverse conditions as well as the wider neurodiverse community.

Participants called for clearer communication, better GP access, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored support to meet diverse neurodiverse needs.