(Australia) Pediatricians claim there's over-diagnosing of autism
- The end of childhood
- Sep 11
- 1 min read
Sept 11, 2025, 7News: Paediatricians warn too many children are being wrongly diagnosed with autism
‘Unfortunately, we’ve set up a model that didn’t work in the first place and we now have to reinvent it.’
Australia’s leading paediatricians say thousands of children with developmental delays are being wrongly diagnosed as autistic, putting extra pressure on the already stretched National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Experts are now pushing for a major overhaul to give families better support.
Paediatrician-turned-politician Dr Mike Freelander is leading a parliamentary review into the NDIS. He says the scheme was never set up to deal with mild developmental issues.
“Unfortunately, we’ve set up a model that didn’t work in the first place and we now have to reinvent it,” Dr Freelander said.
Health Minister Mark Butler recently announced that some children with autism will no longer receive NDIS support, instead moving to a new program called Thriving Kids.
While the decision has sparked anger from families, Dr Freelander insists it is necessary.
“I think there is pressure on to up-diagnose if you like or over-diagnose so that people can get access to a scheme that was not designed for people with mild or moderate developmental needs,” he said.
Dr Freelander and his committee will report to world-renowned paediatrician Professor Frank Oberklaid, who argues there has been an over-eagerness to label children as autistic.
“In some areas of the country, one in six 8-year-old boys is in the NDIS. There’s no way that all of these children need intensive therapy.”
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