Anna Maxted's recent article in The Times, titled ‘Diagnosing a child with autism or ADHD? There’s a lot of money to be made’, discusses Dr Sami Timimi's new book, Searching for Normal. The article raises significant questions and has prompted strong online responses regarding the medicalisation of normal behaviours. 

Dr Timimi asserts that diagnoses for conditions such as depression, ADHD, and autism may mislabel typical emotions and behaviours. 

While there may be merit to his argument that labels are unnecessary, he does not fully address the increasing distress experienced by many children today. Reports of self-harm and other behaviours indicative of high distress have surged equivalently with medically diagnosed conditions, prompting a look at whether we are indeed over-diagnosing or if societal norms have shifted. 

Psychologists have never wanted to label, and far less to describe behaviours as "disordered".  They just want to treat the distress. Without a formal labelled diagnosis however nurseries and schools are struggling to support.  The process of diagnosis may be necessary in order to enable a response to distress, particularly where environmental changes are needed to deal with the issues.

We at Thrive take great care in considering developmental history.  We do not believe in diagnosing without also offering clear and concise advice and improve understanding.  We hope not only support the individual but also explore how we can work to transform environments into those in which the child / young person can Thrive.  It perhaps doesn’t matter what label is attached but the rise in distress can’t be denied and should be the focus of attention and treatment.