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AMSTERDAM — Here at the HLTH Europe 2025 conference, experts discussed the widening gap between neurodiversity awareness and access to diagnosis, highlighting both the challenges and the innovative solutions that are emerging.

“In the UK, we’ve seen almost a fivefold increase [in assessment demand] over the last 4 or 5 years,” said Omer Moghraby, MD, chief digital information officer at West London NHS Trust.

He noted that with “almost 200,000 people on waiting lists,” the system is under immense strain. Each comprehensive assessment can consume up to 20 hours of a clinician’s time.

Technology and User-Centered Design

In response to the diagnostic crisis and an evolving understanding of neurodiversity, significant innovation is emerging from the tech space. Christopher McKelvy, a venture capitalist from K Ventures, said investors are increasingly interested in solutions that reduce time to diagnosis, as well as developing new care models.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies show promise in automating paperwork and potentially speeding up diagnostic processes. However, Moghraby cautioned that while AI may generate reports quickly, fundamental questions persist about its accuracy. There is therefore a need to thoroughly validate the factors and models used in these digital assessments.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining diagnostic standards, with human connection and personalized support remaining of irreplaceable value.

Kristina Gushcheva-Keippilä, a product design expert with a diagnosis of autism, said that “although autistic people may experience this differently than others,” all of us need human connection.

She explained that digital tools can offer a “more welcoming initial pathway” for those starting their diagnostic journey. However, she said it is important not to approach digital accessibility through the social model of disability. “Society disables people rather than seeing individuals’ circumstances as the issue,” she said.

Gushcheva-Keippilä advocated for digital experiences that are inherently inclusive. They should utilize plain language and a supportive tone to communicate effectively and encourage neurodivergent people to manage their well-being.

Innovation in Treatment: From Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to Whole Family Care

In the US, ABA remains the standard of care. This intensive therapy often involves around 30 hours of treatment annually, costing approximately $100,000, according to McKelvy.

ABA has traditionally focused on changing individuals to conform to neurotypical behaviors. McKelvy noted there are limited data on actual improvement for this level of investment.

In contrast, Aviva, a company in which K Ventures has invested, is proposing a more holistic, whole-family care model that pivots from solely changing the child to focusing on how the whole family can adapt and accommodate the child’s needs. It aims to help the entire family understand and support the child’s neurodiversity, teaching them to modify the home environment and providing support for siblings and parents.

“This approach recognizes that the child doesn’t need to be fixed; instead, the family needs to learn to adapt and support the child’s unique way of experiencing the world,” McKelvy explained.

Often delivered via telehealth or group settings, the whole family care model proves to be more cost-effective than traditional ABA, McKelvy suggested. It represents a significant philosophical shift, moving away from a rigid, individual-focused medical intervention toward a supportive, inclusive, and family-centered approach that integrates care directly into daily life.

“The [neurodivergent] community has come out of the shadow” and is now entering a phase of “thriving,” McKelvy said. Gushcheva-Keippilä also expressed optimism that by understanding how “different people process the world differently, we can make the world better for everyone, not just for neurodiverse people.”

Manuela Callari is a freelance science journalist specializing in human and planetary health. Her work has been published in The Medical Republic, Rare Disease Advisor, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, and others.