New research reveals underdiagnosis of autism among South Asian children in Britain

A study highlights significant disparities in autism diagnosis rates among South Asian children in Britain, emphasising cultural and systemic barriers to access and recognition.

South Asian children in Britain are being diagnosed with autism far less often than white British children, according to new research that points to deep and persistent inequalities in access to assessment and support. The Leeds University and Born in Bradford study found that white British boys were up to 10 times more likely to receive a diagnosis than South Asian girls, while white British children overall were more than three-and-a-half times more likely to have an autism diagnosis than their Asian peers.

The research adds to wider evidence that autism is frequently missed, particularly in groups that are less visible to services. A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe estimated that hundreds of thousands of people in England may be autistic but undiagnosed, with diagnosis rates rising sharply among younger children while remaining extremely low in older age groups. That pattern suggests many people have gone through childhood and adulthood without support or recognition.

Evie Shore, a researcher at Leeds University, told ITV News that autism is not less common among South Asian children, but that they are less likely to receive a diagnosis and more likely to receive one later. Parveen Mahal, who founded the East London voluntary group SEN Seva after her daughter was diagnosed, said the problem is not simply stigma but a combination of cultural, systemic and professional barriers. She said some families, having been brought up to trust doctors and teachers, may not challenge delays or question decisions in the way more experienced families do.

Mahal also said worries about reputation and marriage prospects can make disability a difficult topic in some South Asian households, while the complexity of the special educational needs and disabilities system can widen the gap between families who know how to navigate it and those who do not. Girls are especially at risk of being overlooked because autism can present in ways that are easier to miss, and cultural expectations around being quiet and compliant can make them seem invisible. The University of Manchester is also expanding work in this area, having launched a £6.95 million Global Health Research Unit on Neurodevelopment and Autism for children in South Asia, aimed at improving detection and care in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal through lay health workers and local research capacity.