A recent statement by Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice has sparked debate around neurodiversity, ADHD, and the pressures facing the UK’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system. Speaking at a press conference in Westminster, Tice criticised what he described as a “crisis of overdiagnosis”, calling the sight of children wearing ear defenders in classrooms “insane”.
But while these comments have generated headlines, they overlook the real crisis: unprecedented NHS waiting lists, under-diagnosed ADHD in children and adults, and the increasing recognition of masking behaviours that hide symptoms until later in life.
As organisations providing assessment and support, Private ADHD believes it is vital to respond clearly, calmly, and with evidence.
What Richard Tice Said
During the press conference, Richard Tice claimed:
- There is a “crisis of overdiagnosis of children with neurodiverse issues”.
- Schools should “stop labelling people” and instead give children “a bit of extra support”.
- Children without diagnoses are now “feeling left out”, adding:
“They’re feeling that… they’re the normal minority, it’s insane and it’s becoming a sort of school joke.”
- He specifically criticised sensory supports, saying:
“The sight of children in classes wearing ear defenders, I’m sorry, this is just insane. It’s got to stop.”
- He argued that teachers and headteachers “want it to stop”.
- He also attacked the cost of annual EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) reviews, suggesting they were “unnecessary” and costing “two to four grand a pop”.
Tice tied these comments to rising SEND budgets, referencing County Councils Network projections that SEND deficits could hit £17.8 billion by 2029, with 59 councils stating they would go bankrupt once the statutory financial override ends.
The Real Picture: ADHD Is Not Being Overdiagnosed
While Tice asserts that ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions are being labelled too often, national data paints a different—and far more serious—picture:
1. NHS ADHD waiting lists are at record levels
Across England, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of children and adults are waiting for an ADHD assessment. In many regions:
- Children wait 2–4 years
- Adults wait 3–8 years or more
This is not the pattern of an “overdiagnosed” condition—it is the pattern of a system unable to keep up with a surge in under-recognised need.
2. Masking hides ADHD for years
ADHD symptoms are often camouflaged by:
- coping strategies developed in childhood
- masking behaviours (especially in girls and high-achieving children)
- anxiety or depression presenting more prominently
- classroom compliance hiding internalised symptoms
Many individuals do not show obvious external signs, which means the need is real but overlooked.
3. Research shows ADHD has historically been under-diagnosed
Particularly in:
- girls
- adults
- ethnic minorities
- individuals with predominantly inattentive symptoms
The increase in diagnoses reflects better awareness, not exaggerated labelling.
What Ear Defenders Actually Mean
Tice’s comments about children wearing ear defenders ignore the well-documented role sensory regulation plays for:
- autistic children
- children with sensory processing difficulties
- children with ADHD who struggle with noise sensitivity, overstimulation, and classroom overwhelm
Supporting sensory needs is not “insane”—it is evidence-based, compassionate practice that helps children learn.
Where the Crisis Really Lies
The SEND system is under massive strain—but for reasons opposite to what Tice claims.
1. Unmet need, not overdiagnosis
More parents are seeking assessments because their children are waiting years for answers.
2. Schools are stretched
Teachers are doing their best, but they cannot diagnose ADHD. They also cannot provide appropriate accommodations without official assessments or EHCPs.
3. Local authorities are overwhelmed
Rising SEND demand reflects:
- higher identification of real need
- years of austerity
- insufficient funding
- increasing complexity of cases
Blaming neurodivergent children or implying labels are “handed out too easily” oversimplifies a deep, systematic issue.
Private ADHD’s View
Comments such as Tice’s risk reinforcing outdated myths about ADHD and neurodiversity. They also minimise the lived experiences of children, adults, families, and teachers facing:
- extremely long NHS waits
- lack of access to timely assessment
- difficulties in school without formal recognition
- mental-health impacts of unmanaged ADHD
- challenges with masking and burnout
At Private ADHD, we see the reality daily:
People seek private assessment because they can’t get the help they need—not because labels are being handed out casually.
A proper ADHD assessment requires:
- clinical interviews
- developmental history
- validated screening tools
- functional analysis
- differential diagnosis
- consideration of comorbidities
This is not a process anyone undertakes lightly.
Conclusion: Let’s Focus on Solutions, Not Stigma
Richard Tice’s concerns about system pressures are understandable—the SEND system is struggling—but framing the issue as “overdiagnosis” risks further delaying support for people who need it.
What children, families and adults actually need is:
- faster access to assessment
- better-funded support in schools
- understanding of masking and hidden presentations
- accurate diagnosis, not dismissal
- evidence-based intervention
The real crisis isn’t children wearing ear defenders—it’s the overwhelming number of people living with untreated or unrecognised ADHD.
If you want, I can tailor this into a blog article format, turn it into a press-response style statement, or shape it into a clinic-branded education piece.
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