While we estimate that up to 40% of Thanet’s population may be Neurodivergent, we need to consider that a significant portion of these individuals could be unaware of their Neurodivergence due to a variety of factors.
Let’s explore why this might be the case:
1. Undiagnosed Cases
Older Adults and Women:
Research shows that older adults and women are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed for conditions such as ADHD and autism. Historically, diagnostic criteria have been based on traits observed in young, white males, with the mistaken belief that neurodivergence is only a childhood condition. Consequently, older adults, women, and people assigned female at birth are often unaware of their Neurodivergence.
Lack of Awareness:
Many individuals may not recognise their Neurodivergent traits due to limited education or awareness. In families where Neurodivergence is hereditary, common traits are often shared among family members, and as a result, may go unnoticed and unacknowledged as signs of Neurodivergence.
2. Socio-Economic Factors
Deprivation:
Thanet is one of the most deprived areas in England, which affects access to diagnostic services, mental health support, and education. Limited resources mean that many people might not seek or receive the support they need, contributing to a large number of undiagnosed Neurodivergent individuals.
Stigma and Misconceptions:
In deprived areas, stigma surrounding mental health and Neurodivergence may be more pronounced. Misunderstandings about Neurodivergence can prevent people from seeking a diagnosis, leaving them unaware of their condition.
3. Defining Neurodivergence and Neurodiversity
Lack of Knowledge and Evolving Definitions:
Although the concepts of Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence are becoming more mainstream, they are still evolving topics. Both the academic community and the Neurodivergent population are working to establish clear definitions. The public’s understanding of these concepts is still developing, which can delay recognition of Neurodivergence.
Narrow Public Perception of Neurodivergence:
At NDFT, we recognise a wide range of Neurodivergent experiences, but many people only associate Neurodivergence with a limited set of conditions like Autism and ADHD. Those with acquired Neurodivergence, such as individuals affected by C/PTSD, anxiety, or depression, may not see themselves as Neurodivergent and may not seek the related support they may need.
4. Co-occurring Conditions and Misdiagnosis
Complex Diagnoses:
Neurodivergent individuals often have co-occurring conditions. And with a healthcare system that tends work in silos (including when it comes to diagnoses), instead of holistically, seeking a diagnosis and receiving adequate support can be challenging.
In areas with limited healthcare resources, this complexity can further reduce access to an accurate diagnosis.
Misdiagnoses:
Gender and ethnic biases can lead to missed and misdiagnoses, where people receive diagnoses that don’t fully reflect their Neurodivergent experiences. As a result, they may not identify as Neurodivergent or seek relevant support.
Considering these factors, how many Neurodivergent individuals in Thanet might be unaware of their Neurodivergence?
It is likely that a significant portion of the estimated 30-40% Neurodivergent population in Thanet is unaware of their Neurodivergence.
Our conservative estimate suggests that 20-30% of this group may be unaware.
In Thanet’s population:
This means that 6-12% of Thanet’s overall population could be Neurodivergent and unaware.
However, due to the area’s high deprivation and diagnostic challenges, the percentage of unaware Neurodivergent individuals could be even higher—potentially 40-60% of the Neurodivergent population.
This would translate to 12-24% of the overall population in Thanet being Neurodivergent but unaware.
How Did We Calculated?
The estimate is based on a combination of factors related to the underdiagnosis and unawareness of Neurodivergent “conditions”, adjusted for local conditions in Thanet.
Here’s how we approached it step by step, including the formula and reasoning behind the calculations.
Key Inputs:
- Base Prevalence of Neurodivergence: 15-20% of the general population is Neurodivergent.
- Thanet-Specific Adjustments:
- High Disability Rates in Thanet: +5% due to limitations in daily activities from mental and physical health.
- Deprivation in Thanet: +5-10% due to socio-economic challenges linked to increased stress and reduced access to healthcare.
- Undiagnosed and Co-occurring Conditions: +5-10%, taking into account the likelihood of multiple conditions and undiagnosed individuals.
This gives an estimated total prevalence of 30-40% of Thanet’s population being Neurodivergent.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
Step 1: Understanding the Proportion Likely to Be Unaware
Several studies suggest that a significant proportion of Neurodivergent individuals remain undiagnosed or unaware, particularly in marginalised groups like older adults, women, and those in deprived areas. In deprived areas, the percentage of undiagnosed individuals could be higher due to:
- Reduced access to diagnostic services.
- Stigma around mental health and neurodivergence.
- Misdiagnosis or lack of knowledge about Neurodivergent conditions.
Based on these factors, we can hypothesise that 20-60% of Neurodivergent individuals in Thanet might be unaware of their Neurodivergence.
Step 2: Establishing a Formula for Estimate
To calculate the percentage of the total population that is both Neurodivergent and unaware, we used the following formula:
Unaware ND population = (ND prevalence) × (% unaware of ND status)
Where:
- ND prevalence: The estimated percentage of the total population that is Neurodivergent, which is between 30-40%.
- % unaware of ND status: A reasonable estimate of how many Neurodivergent individuals are unaware, based on underdiagnosis studies and socio-economic challenges. This estimate ranges between 20-60%.
Step 3: Applying the Formula
Let’s calculate this across different scenarios:
Low Estimate: Unaware ND population = 30% × 20% = 6% of the total population
High Estimate: Unaware ND population = 40% × 60% = 24% of the total population
So, the range of individuals who are Neurodivergent but unaware of it is estimated to be between 6% and 24% of the overall population.
Step 4: Interpreting the Results
Given this range, it is reasonable to conclude that between 20-60% of the Neurodivergent population in Thanet might be unaware of their neurodivergence. Since Neurodivergent individuals are estimated to make up 30-40% of the total population, we estimate that 6-24% of the overall population is Neurodivergent but unaware of it.
This estimate is flexible because it depends on local socio-economic and healthcare factors that affect both the diagnosis rate and individuals’ self-awareness of Neurodivergence.
Summary of the Formula:
Unaware ND population = (ND prevalence in total population) × (Percentage unaware)
Where:
- ND prevalence = 30-40%
- Percentage unaware = 20-60%
This leads to the conclusion that 6-24% of Thanet’s total population might be both Neurodivergent and unaware of it.