A study of more than 10,000 UK children by Queen Mary University of London and Royal Holloway, University of London, published in Molecular Psychiatry, finds that traits of autism, ADHD, dyslexia and related conditions overlap on a single underlying “neurodevelopmental spectrum” rather than sitting in separate diagnostic boxes. Children with high spectrum scores at age 7 were more than twice as likely to have a special educational needs and disability (SEND) status by age 12, and the measure explained up to 21% of the variance in real-world school outcomes — more than looking at any one diagnosis alone. Researchers say the findings support assessing and supporting children by their broad needs rather than a single category.
Why it matters: Most children with a neurodevelopmental condition have traits of more than one, so a needs-based rather than diagnosis-based approach could mean earlier, more joined-up support in schools and clinics.
Nextrability 