The Irish Health Survey included several questions on neurodiversity. Someone may consider themselves to be, or be diagnosed as, neurodiverse if they are autistic; have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); have dyspraxia (difficulty in physical coordination) or other neurodivergent conditions; have differences in social preferences; have differences in ways of learning; communicate or perceive the world around themselves differently; or are particularly sensitive to noise or lighting.
At a rate of almost one in ten (9.3%), males aged 3 to 14 years were three times more likely than females (3.2%) of the same age to be reported as having a diagnosis of autism.
The share of children reported as having a diagnosis of autism varied by HSE health region with the lowest in the West and Northwest region at 3.8% and the highest in the Midwest region at 8.1%. It is important to note that the prevalence of a diagnosis does not necessarily reflect the prevalence of the underlying condition.
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children aged 3 to 14 years was less prevalent than the diagnosis of autism with 2.7% of males and 2.0% of females having a diagnosis of ADHD.
The percentage of children reported as having a diagnosis of ADHD varied by HSE health region with the lowest in the Midwest region at 1.1% and the highest in the West and Northwest region at 3.8%. It is important to note that the prevalence of a diagnosis does not necessarily reflect the prevalence of the underlying condition.
Where a child did not have a diagnosis for a neurodivergent condition, respondents were asked if they suspected their child may have autism, ADHD or another neurodivergent condition. Over a quarter (27.3%) of male children aged 3 to 14 years had either been diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition or it was suspected that they had one, compared with 16.9% for females.
Respondents were asked if their child had any difficulty managing changes in routine. Almost one in ten (9.4%) 9 to 12 years olds either had a 'lot of difficulty' in managing changes in routine or 'could not do it at all', compared with 4.2% of those aged 13 to 14 years.
Respondents were asked if their child had any difficulty with sensory overload, e.g., do certain noises, light, smells, textures or other features of everyday places cause them distress. Younger children, those aged 3 to 8 years, were more likely to have a difficulty with sensory overload with 22.2% reporting they had 'some difficulty' and a further 7.9% saying they had 'a lot of difficulty or cannot do at all.'
Respondents were asked if their child often finds it difficult to be in situations where there are a number of other people (like a busy shop, workplace, or social occasion, on public transport, or sharing a home with people outside your family). Almost a quarter of 13 to 14 year olds either had 'some difficulty' (20.9%) or had 'a lot of difficulty or could not do at all' (3.0%).
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