Dr Blandine French

  • Institution: University of Nottingham, School of Medicine
  • Department: Institute of Mental Health

Brief biography

Blandine works in clinical and research environments with parents, children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Her PhD investigated the awareness and understanding of ADHD in primary care. She developed and evaluated an online educational tool coproduced with GPs to increase their awareness of ADHD which has since been endorsed by the RCGP. Her current fellowship is evaluating the risks and costs of undiagnosed autism and/or ADHD. Blandine has also lived-experience having children with neurodevelopment disorders and having received a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood

Research Study Brief Summary

The risks and costs associated with undiagnosed ADHD and/or autism In the UK, there are over 2.5 million undiagnosed neurodivergent adults, who struggle to receive support. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism are the most common forms of neurodivergence affecting around 1 in every 20 children, and 3 in every 100 adults have ADHD and/or autism. Many adults and children still don’t have a diagnosis which stops them to access the care that they need. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD or autism face many difficulties. For example, they are more likely to drop out of school, experience depression and anxiety and have problems with drugs or alcohol. Early identification and effective support can reduce these difficulties.  Currently, there is little research on the risks of not receiving an ADHD or autism diagnosis. However, this three-year project looks at the impacts of undiagnosed ADHD or autism on individuals and their families. It will also assess the economic and societal costs of undiagnosed ADHD and autism. This research will provide essential information to decision makers and healthcare providers, enabling them to improve access to care. We have two main questions: - What are the long-term risks of not diagnosing individuals with ADHD or autism? - How much does the lack of diagnosis cost individuals, the community, and the economy?