Hot Topic: The Truth About “Overdiagnosis” — Debunking Reform UK’s Agenda on Neurodivergent Children

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Neurodivergent Experience

Episode: Hot Topic: The Truth About “Overdiagnosis” — Debunking Reform UK’s Agenda on Neurodivergent Children
Hosts: Jordan James and Simon Scott
Date: November 28, 2025

---

Overview

This episode of The Neurodivergent Experience takes a sharp, urgent look at Reform UK’s recent public statements on so-called "overdiagnosis" of neurodivergent children. Jordan and Simon dissect party deputy Richard Tice’s inflammatory remarks, interrogate the broader UK and international context, and passionately refute harmful misconceptions about neurodivergence, diagnosis rates, and support for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) children. The hosts blend pointed political critique with advocacy for neurodivergent communities and their right to recognition and support.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Reform UK & Richard Tice’s Comments

[02:26 – 05:35]

• Jordan introduces the controversy:
  • Richard Tice claims "a crisis of overdiagnosis of children with neurodiverse issues."
  • Tice suggests returning responsibility to schools, minimizing support, and ending the “labelling” of children.
  • Dismisses children wearing ear defenders in classrooms as “insane,” claiming “teachers want it to stop.”
• Hosts respond with disbelief and anger, noting Tice conflates "neurodiverse" with "neurodivergent" and fundamentally misunderstands both terms and experiences.

Notable Quote:

"I don't know if I'm more annoyed that he said neurodiverse or that he said the over diagnosis because both things trigger me because it's under diagnosed and neurodivergent."
— Jordan [03:10]

---

2. Political Backdrop & Financial Arguments

[05:35 – 07:56]

• Simon references an Independent article detailing Tice’s full press conference remarks.
  • Tice connects SEND support with council bankruptcies and asserts EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plans) reviews are "unnecessary" and too costly.
  • Claims system is unfair and creates scarcity of resources.
• National Autistic Society response: firmly refutes overdiagnosis narrative, highlighting real struggles families face to secure basic, not excessive, support.

Notable Quote:

"Claiming there is over diagnosis couldn't be further from the truth. The system needs reform, but not the Reform Party." — Simon quoting NAS [07:15]

---

3. Societal Attitudes: The Silencing and Scapegoating of Vulnerable Children

[07:56 – 10:29]

• Jordan and Simon highlight how rhetoric about "overdiagnosis" vilifies neurodivergent children as a societal burden.
• "Think of the neurotypical children!" argument is criticized as a distraction from real issues.
• Critique of politics: using disabled children as scapegoats for systemic failures; accusations of "hubris" and "lack of empathy" in Reform messaging.

Notable Exchange:

"This is from the top down...basically we are going to come out and say that disabled children. The most vulnerable. The most at risk...He's basically saying, they're the problem."
— Jordan [09:49]

"They're costing us too much money because we're over diagnosing them and pandering to them."
— Simon [10:29]

---

4. Break & Advocacy Announcement

[13:03 – 15:00]

• Quick announcement: RTN Diagnostics now part of NHS Right to Choose scheme, improving access to autism/ADHD assessments.
• Returns to critique, linking UK policies to global right-wing trends.

Notable Quote:

"It is the Trump effect. It is America sneezes. We caught the let's be shitty to the most vulnerable people disease from their coffin." — Jordan [15:00]

---

5. Ear Defenders, Sensory Regulation, and Evidence

[15:14 – 18:22]

• Simon draws from ADHD UK article; refutes Tice’s dismissal of ear defenders as “insane.”
  • Sensory supports are evidence-based and crucial for autistic/ADHD children.
  • Explains sensory processing difficulties, overstimulation, classroom overwhelm.
• Critiques growing trend of “anti-wokeness” as really an attack on empathy and evidence-based accommodations.

Notable Quote:

"Ear defenders. What does that actually mean when a child is sat in a classroom wearing ear defenders? Tice's comments ignore the incredibly well documented role sensory regulation plays for autistic children...It is evidence based, compassionate practice."
— Simon [15:38]

---

6. Refuting Overdiagnosis: The Truth of Underdiagnosis & Systemic Failures

[16:53 – 22:52]

• Hosts remind listeners that neurodivergent conditions are still underdiagnosed, not the reverse.
• Dismantle the logic that “teachers know best” and address historic failures within the educational system.
• Expose the “drain on society” narrative as fundamentally ignorant and dangerous.

Notable Quote:

"To paint every single child with the same paintbrush. And I know that there are wonderful teachers out there, but to go 'the teachers always right.' I have had some teachers that were not right."
— Simon [17:02]

• Jordan emphasizes the essential, evolutionary contributions of neurodivergent individuals to society — from scientific breakthroughs to technological innovation.

Memorable Riff:

"A neurodivergent people have advanced technology, have advanced medicine, have invented everyday things that everybody takes for granted...That telly you're watching, you're welcome. That Internet you're using, you're welcome. That car you're driving, you're welcome."
— Jordan [18:22]

---

7. Success Stories & Neurodivergent Contributions

[22:52 – 24:30]

• Recognizes neurodivergent innovators (Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Wozniak, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, and many women, e.g., Taylor Swift, Emily Dickinson, Lady Gaga, Marie Curie, NASA mathematicians).
• Argument: Investing in neurodivergent children leads to net societal and economic benefit.

Notable Quote:

"The money you’re putting in to educating neurodivergent children, society is going to get that back."
— Jordan [21:28]

---

8. Closing: Political Call to Action & Community Resilience

[24:30 – 29:16]

• The response to fiscal concerns around SEND: the true crisis is in unmet needs and untreated neurodivergent traits.
• Simon calls for wealth redistribution ("Tax your friends, Richard") to address funding shortfalls—rejects Reagan/Thatcher-era "trickle-down" economics.
• Hosts urge listeners to do their research and vote with empathy and a true understanding of party agendas.
• Warning against self-harm by voting for parties that actively work against neurodivergent rights and well-being.

Notable Quote:

"If you’re out there and you voted reform or you’re thinking of it, just don’t...Please do your research."
— Jordan [26:24]

Final Words:

"If you are the parent of a child who needs SEND support and you are going to vote reform, know that they do not have your children's best interests at heart."
— Simon [27:48]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "[03:10] — Jordan: 'Both things trigger me because it's under diagnosed and neurodivergent.'
• [07:15] — Simon, quoting NAS: 'Claiming there is over diagnosis couldn't be further from the truth. The system needs reform, but not the Reform Party.'
• [09:49] — Jordan: 'This is from the top down...he's basically saying, they're the problem.'
• [10:29] — Simon: 'They're costing us too much money because we're over diagnosing them and pandering to them.'
• [15:00] — Jordan: 'It is the Trump effect. It is America sneezes. We caught the let's be shitty to the most vulnerable people disease...'
• [15:38] — Simon: 'Ear defenders...It is evidence based, compassionate practice that helps children learn.'
• [17:02] — Simon: 'To paint every single child with the same paintbrush...the teachers always right. I have had some teachers that were not right.'
• [18:22] — Jordan: 'A neurodivergent people have advanced technology, have advanced medicine, have invented everyday things...you’re welcome.'
• [21:28] — Jordan: 'The money you’re putting in to educating neurodivergent children, society is going to get that back.'
• [26:24] — Jordan: 'If you’re out there and you voted reform or you’re thinking of it, just don’t...Please do your research.'
• [27:48] — Simon: 'If you are the parent of a child who needs SEND support...Reform do not have your children's best interests at heart.’

---

Call to Action & Closing Thoughts

The hosts emphasize solidarity, research, and sharing of neurodivergent voices in the face of toxic political rhetoric. They urge their community to fight misinformation, advocate for inclusive policies, and refuse to be silent or complicit in the marginalization of neurodivergent children.

[29:16] Simon: “We need to speak more. We need to share more. Please share this episode on your social. Share it with your followers because nothing about us without us.”

---

Tone: Fierce, empathetic, and unapologetic; the hosts infuse humor and frustration with determination and hope. Their message is political, personal, and urgent—a rallying cry for neurodivergent dignity and inclusion.

---

This summary highlights the episode’s main arguments and advocacy points, offering a comprehensive overview for anyone seeking to understand the current debate and the neurodivergent community’s perspective.

Transcript

[A]

Avoiding your unfinished home projects because you're.

[B]

Not sure where to start.

[A]

Thumbtack knows home so you don't have to don't know the difference between matte paint, finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With Thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro, you just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates and read reviews all on the app download today.

[C]

300 sensors over a million data points per second. How does F1 update their fans with every stat in real time? AWS is how from fastest laps to strategy calls, AWS puts fans in the pit. It's not just racing, it's data driven innovation at 200 miles per hour. AWS is how leading businesses power next level innovation.

[B]

Why choose a Sleep number Smart bed?

[D]

Can I make my site softer?

[B]

Can I make my site firmer? Can we sleep cooler? Sleep number does that cools up to eight times faster and lets you choose your ideal comfort on either side your Sleep number setting. Enjoy personalized comfort for better sleep night after night. It's our Black Friday sale recharged this season with a bundle of cozy, soothing comfort. Now only 17.99 for our C2 mattress and base plus free premium delivery price is higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Check it out at a Sleep number store or sleepnumber.com today.

[E]

Oh, hot, hot, hot, hot. Hello and welcome to the new spicy news. Hot topic.

[D]

Super hot. Super spicy. New.

[E]

It's snowing. That's not hot.

[D]

I know, it's rubbish. Isn't it?

[E]

I sit in my car, on my warm car, my heated seats. Then, then it.

[D]

I know I've got my radiator on and I'm like carrying around it like a Victorian child.

[E]

Just like, oh, they're called, oh, I've got a South Park UDI and South Park Slipp and I am all cozy.

[D]

I've got my teddy bear. I am feeling warm and I am mucho, mucho comfy. Boy.

[E]

So less hot, more warm. But this news is hot and also gross. So we're gonna, we're gonna talk about our favorite party, our favorite political party.

[D]

Birthday party.

[E]

Yeah, no, the Nazi. I mean reform party. We're gonna, we're gonna talk about them and a member of their party and let's be honest, it's he's a big member. Double entendre. So I first saw this on a Facebook page that work. I first saw this on a Facebook page called ND Wise Hub that I follow. You know, we us advocates Got stick together. Well, the good ones anyway. And they have said. Tice said. So this is Richard Tice said there is a crisis of over diagnosis of children with neurodiverse issues. Now, I don't know if I'm more annoyed that he said neurodiverse or that he said the over diagnosis because both things trigger me because it's under diagnosed and neurodivergent. You. But anyway, ND Wise goes on to say, asked what Reform UK can do to tackle this, he said the best thing to do actually is to push almost all of it back to the schools because we know how that works. The schools know best, the teachers know best. Oh, this shows you how out of touch reform really are. I ain't got a clue. And stop. This is the big kicker. And stop labeling. People just say, you need a bit of extra support, you might need a bit of extra time, because that's all we need. We just need a bit of extra time. No other support us. Honestly, if this lot get into government, we are so screwed. Then Richard says, you've got, you've got the mad situation now where children who don't have any form of label are starting to feel left out. Oh, the poor neurotypicals who manage society so seamlessly instead of like we're walking through custard every day. Those poor neurotypical kids who, you know, can socialize and don't have dyslexia and autism and ADHD and RSD and all the problems that, you know, oh, poor, poor children. Then he finishes it with, I'll just raise one more point. The sight this is. I do not understand what this man is problem is, honestly, apart from the fact that he's a bell end, the sight of children in classes wearing ear defenders. I'm sorry, this is just insane. It's got to stop. The teachers want it to stop. I'd love to know what teachers want that to stop because I'd bloody have them on a pillar as well. Heads want it to stop. It's not the right way forward. Thanks, Richard Tice, thanks for advocating for all us neurodivergent people in a way that I can only compare to, I don't know, Trump.

[D]

Well, here's, here's the irony of it. I've got an article from the Independent that, you know is giving exactly the same quotes that you are. So this was from a Westminster press conference which was held earlier this week of recording, which is the weekend of the 18th of November. Ty Su is the deputy leader of Reform UK outlining reforms. Doge. This is exactly the same thing that was set up by Elon Musk in the Trump administration, the Department of Government Efficiency, and he's talking about this unit's progress. Warned of a crisis in the special education needs and disability systems. He asserted that if this remains unresolved, there will be no bins collected. So because we're getting so much support, bin men are not gonna rock up, ladies and gentlemen, this is what we're getting to. And recent research from the County Council's network, the ccn, as quoted by the Independent, says that center Debts will reach 17.8 billion pounds by 2029, nearly 1,000 per child and young people in England, and more than any council spent on children's social care last year. Councils have kept these high needs deficits off their balance sheets using a statuary override now extended to March. But more than half the council surveyed, which is 59, say that they would go bankrupt as soon as the override ends. And Mr. Tice has essentially said the annual reviews of education, health and care plans, which are legal documents setting out support required for younger people with send are unnecessary and are costing two to four grand a pop. He added, it's just not fair and it's not fair to the children most in need who are not getting the provisions they require in the speed they require it. It's the only thing that he said that sort of agrees with me, but here it comes. Who's got something to say about it? The National Autistic Society. Parents aren't profiting from the education system. They're spending time and money fighting against a broken sense system just to get the most basic support at school. Claiming there is over diagnosis couldn't be further from the truth. The system needs reform, but not the Reform Party to meet the needs of all children that send children, including autistic young people can access a suitable school place and thrive. Spreading these kinds of lies stigmatizes autistic people and makes life harder for them and their families.

[E]

Yeah, I mean, obviously the only people that will ever have a voice are the National Autistic Society again, but at least they said the right thing using that monopolied voice again. So, you know, there's. That's one good thing, I guess. But yeah, I. It's not like I haven't heard this from parents, from authorities, it's not like I haven't heard this shit before of oh, but what about the neurotypical kids? And it's like, well, I care about all kids, like, I want all kids to have an equally good education. Even neurotypical kids are getting a shit education at the moment. But that's not our fault. That's not the neurodivergent people's fault. That's the government's fault. And I don't know if Richard Dick Wadd knows this, but he's in government. He is not. His party isn't in charge, but he speaks for a party that potentially could be. And if this is his idea of how to fix the country by making the lives of disabled children worse, I don't think that's the hill you want to die on. Like, honestly, the mentality, the hubris, that's the right word, right? The hubris of this man to just be like, I'm going to say this and you're still going to vote for me. You're still going to vote for the party that I am deputy in charge of.

[D]

The only reason that he's the deputy leader of it, he was the original leader, but then he was. So he got, he got bumped.

[E]

He didn't have enough social media. So essentially this could have been the leader. And, you know, we don't know what's going to go on in life. But this is, this is from the top down. This is the mentality of the top down, of basically we are going to come out and say that disabled children. So not only children, but disabled. The most vulnerable. The most vulnerable children in this country. The most at risk. At risk children in this country. He's basically saying, they're the problem.

[D]

They're costing us too much money because we're over diagnosing them and pandering to them.

[E]

Wow. Wow, that's. That's like, you know, me saying I want to be the mayor of where I live and then just going around spitting on babies and expect. And expecting that, like. Or just kicking a puppy down the road and be like, vote for me.

[D]

He was woke.

[E]

Yeah. Yeah, it was a gay dog. Yeah, that dog was gay. And it's like. And, and then you've just got to be like, okay, if, if everybody out there, that was like, voting for reform's a good idea. If I didn't hate those people already and I don't hate them, maybe that's a strong word. If I didn't dislike their politics already. I really do now. Because now, now it's personal. Before it was like, well, that's a bunch of dickheads. Now it's. Now it's personal. Now they're coming after me and my family. And your family who are listening and my future grandchildren. They're coming after us. Don't do that. Don't do that.

[D]

Let's take a little break and when we come back we'll delve into this shit show a little deeper.

[F]

Hi, this is Robert Mays from the Athletic. This time of year always gets busy, but that's when having Peloton in my life really makes a difference. The new Peloton Cross Training Tread plus, powered by Peloton iq, helps me fit in great workouts no matter what's on my schedule. It's Peloton's most advanced equipment and yet giving you real time guidance and endless ways to move. Peloton IQ plans your workouts, tracks your progress and corrects your form so you can train smarter and make the most of your time. Let yourself run, lift, flex, push and go. Explore the new peloton cross training tread [e-mail] why choose a sleep Number Smart.

[D]

Bed Can I make my sight softer?

[B]

Can I make my sight firmer? Can we sleep cooler? Sleep number does that cools up to eight times faster and let you choose your ideal comfort on either side your Sleep number setting Enjoy personalized comfort for better sleep night after night. It's our Black Friday sale recharge this season with a bundle of cozy, soothing comfort. Now only $17.99 for our C2 mattress and base plus free premium delivery price is higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Check it out at a Sleep number store or sleepnumber.com today.

[D]

This is a neurodivergent experience Public Announcement if you live in England and you or a loved one is waiting for an autism or ADHD assessment, you don't have to wait years. RTN Diagnostics is now part of the NHS Right to Choose scheme which means if your local wait for a consultant led autism or ADHD assessment is more than 18 weeks, you can choose RTN instead and it won't cost you a penny. Jordan chose RTN for his own family because their care and attention to detail were second to none. They didn't just diagnose autism and adhd, they looked at the full picture, including pda, ocd, anxiety and more. The team is friendly, neuroaffirming and comprises many neurodivergent individuals so they truly understand getting started is simple. Download the GP referral letter and questionnaire from the link in our show notes, take those to your GP and ask for a referral to RTN Diagnostics. If approved, RTN will be in touch within eight weeks to begin your assessment. Remember this only applies in England and some exclusions do apply. RTN is not currently able to accept referrals for child ADHD assessments, so check the details before you start. RTN diagnostics helping you get the answers you deserve without the weight. Welcome back to your hot topic for this week and crikey, it's a fun one. So for. For any of our American listeners. Obviously this is very UK centric story, but I think it has a lot more to say on just the sort of the right wing's general sort of overall perspective on disabled people in general.

[E]

It is the Trump effect. It is America sneezes. We caught the let's be shitty to the most vulnerable people disease from their coffin.

[D]

Yeah, it's like when running on. Running on a policy of a lack of empathy. I mean, crikey. But I've got an article here, dude, which is from private ADHD uk. It delves into a lot of what we've already discussed, but there are just a couple of things here that I think could sort of add to the conversation. Ear defenders. What does that actually mean when a child is sat in a classroom wearing ear defenders? Tice's comments about children wearing these ignore the incredibly well documented role sensory regulation plays for autistic children. Sensory processing difficulties, children with ADHD who struggle with noise sensitivity, overstimulation and classroom overwhelm. It's not insane. The need is not insane. It is evidence based, compassionate practice that helps children learn. Now I do not understand this sort of again, it's like this attack on the. The woke or arti. This like on attack on. On wokeness which sort of is just, you know, an attack on empathetic people.

[E]

I believe the tech on being understanding and seeing and empathetic.

[D]

The absolute irony that a party that is, you know, so heavily against immigration and diversity is attacking the diversity of everyday people. Crikey. The thing that sort of really baffles me with this is just how uneducated a take this is to say that it's over diagnosed. Point out anybody to me that can say with a straight face that it's over diagnosed.

[E]

We literally did a whole topic on how it is massively underdiagnosed, massively under diagnosed.

[D]

It's like, I'm sorry Richard, maybe you're just hearing about this a little bit more than you normally do. It doesn't mean it's over diagnosed. But to paint every single child with the same paintbrush. And I know that there are wonderful teachers out there, but to go the teachers always. Right. I have had some teachers that were not right.

[E]

No, it's, it's. Oh, it's so, so authoritarian.

[D]

Believe the authority, believe the system. And like I literally read something earlier about a council that reform runs. They've had to cancel all of the Christmas celebrations because they've overspent on England flags. Like, this is somebody who is setting up something in a similar vein to what the DOGE policy was in the US of going, we need to crack down on overspending. So do you know who's gonna get it first? People that actually need support. Oh wait, SEND is already cracking under the pressure of the lack of money that the government is filtering into this necessary system to bring this next generation into the workforce, which you all tell us we have to do. You know, we're trying, but we need support system. Because here's the thing, Mr. Tice, if send is underfunded or completely non existent, or children are no longer allowed labels, then how the fuck are they supposed to get support?

[E]

But this is, this is the, the arrogance of this, I'm going to just assume, neurotypical man. The, the, the arrogance of the fact that we are constantly seen as a drain on society because of what it costs to support us. It's, it's not seen as cost effective. And that is because of a complete and utter un. Misunderstanding of what neurodivergence is, which as I have said a billion times, is a necessary part of the evolution of not only this human species biologically, but the human species and societorally. A neurodivergent people have advanced technology, have advanced medicine, have invented everyday things that everybody takes for granted. And nobody, nobody gives neurodivergent people credit other than neurodivergent people who are just like. But by the way, we, we. That telly you're watching, you're welcome. That Internet you're using, you're welcome. That car you're driving, you're welcome.

[D]

The DOGE policy that you're implementing, you're welcome.

[E]

Not really.

[D]

Really. But you know, there is irony in that, isn't there?

[E]

Oh, huge irony. That he's like, oh, the dose policy is really good, but that was literally invented by an autistic man for good or worse. I mean, I'm pretty sure a nuclear bomb was invented by autistic people. And that's not very good.

[D]

But Manhattan Project was.

[E]

I mean, it did end a war, so I guess you're welcome. But like, honestly, like for good or bad, neurodivergent people have massively advanced this planet. We are so important to not only like the, the, the, the fundamentals of society, that without neurodivergent people, without that different thinking, the outside the box mentality, you wouldn't have the, that anywhere near, and I was gonna say none. You wouldn't have anywhere near as much art as you would the musicians.

[D]

I don't know if you know though, dude, but these people don't give a. About this sort of stuff. They want us back in the workhouses. They want industrial Britain to come back. They want imperialism. We don't, you know, all the things we bring to the table. To them it's just fluff.

[E]

Because if, if they had like half a brain, just half of, of a, of a decent, working, thinking brain, they, they would say, the money you're putting in to educating these neurodivergent children, society is going to get that back. You're going to have more kids who are going to be functioning within society, who are then going to pay tax, who are then going to start shops or start businesses which may employ other people. I mean, do we all suddenly forget that Bill Gates, the creator of Microsoft, is by his own admission, in his last book, neurodivergent? Are we just gonna pass over that, that we're saying Bill, Bill Gates, Whether you love him or hate him, the amount of money that man has generated for tax, for the country he lives in, for the people he works for, given many, many people jobs, given many people technology, it doesn't matter if you don't like him. Literally. Microsoft is one of the biggest companies on earth.

[D]

It's a game changer for so many people.

[E]

It has changed so many things. Same as Apple with Steve Jobs, who was definitely a dick, who was definitely autistic. And Wozniak, I'm always going to give him the credit because he basically did most of the work. Definitely autistic. I'm not even, I'm not even going to be like, oh, well, sue me. That man is neurodivergent. Oh my God, like, I could, I could be here for hours. And we have, we have episodes. Please go and listen to them about, like neurodivergent heroes. Just off the top of my head, I just, and I always say it, and I will. I'm not gonna go through this podcast without saying it, that Michael Jordan is adhd and he has changed so many things like that, like so many great.

[D]

Things as a cultural figure. What an outlier.

[E]

Exactly, exactly. Like, people will literally say, oh, he's like Michael Jordan. Good. Just, just off the top of that.

[D]

If you're a pro golfer. The yardage stick is Tiger fricking Woods adhd.

[E]

Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps. The greatest male, the greatest male Olympian. Yeah, he's part shark. He's adhd. It's not our opinion he's adhd. He is adhd. He is neurodivergent. So, and I'm, I do massively apologize for, for not mentioning any women neurodivergence. It is just completely gone out of my head. I, I just massively apologize. I wish I'd done some research before this, but this is, this is a.

[D]

Very, very, you know, like random people believe that Taylor Swift is autistic because of the way that she writes and the worlds that she builds. Emily Dickens, Britney Spears, Emily Dickinson I believe is autistic. Like Chapel Roan, Lady Gaga, even like Madonna, people like that. All hu icons I believe are neurodivergent. And then Mary Curie, 100, I can't remember her name but it was the lady who did all of the figures for the, the Apollo space missions in NASA. I believe that she was neurodivergent. Jack Black's mum, you know the, the, the filmmaker, the actor, his mum is, was so heavily involved in NASA and I believe he's neurodivergent, but I was, oh, so you know he got it from somewhere. So there are so many things that we have brought to the table. But the thing that makes me laugh dude, is they're constantly complaining about the lack of money to fund Tax your friends, Richard. That's where the money is. Tax your friends. There's enough going around to trickle down. This whole like Reagan and economic Thatcher, trickle down economics has got a lot to answer for. But we'll finish with what it says in the conclusion of this private ADHD article. It says the conclusion needs to be lets focus on solutions, not stigma. Richard Tice's concerns about system pressures are understandable. The send system is struggling. But framing the issue as over diagnosis risks further delay 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 and evidence based intervention. The real crisis isn't children wearing ear defenders. It's the overwhelming number of people living with untreated or unrecognized neurodivergent traits.

[E]

Wow, amazing. 100 agree. Absolutely beautiful. And it also makes me think of one point particularly is banging on about how much it cost us. Well, how much is it? Like what does that got to do with how kids look and what they wear in school. Why, why does that matter? Why does that bother you? Why, why, why are you even caring what children are wearing? Like why? Why? The answer because you're a dick. And also you're not fit to be in charge of a pub party or a pub crawl, let alone a party that can run this country. It is absolutely typical of these idiots to be able to think that this is an okay thing to do. So if you're out there and you voted reform or you're thinking of it, just don't do your research. Please do your research. And I'm, I'm not affiliated with any party. I actually am sitting here thinking, oh God, we're so screwed because the people in charge right now are bloody awful. But they're not that awful.

[D]

Yeah, it's a really, it's a really unusual thing in that like, obviously for a lot of our American listeners, we have been a two party system for such a long time. Either the Conservatives or the Labour Party, which is the equivalent of the Republican or Democratic party. But I genuinely, truly believe it's going to be two outlier parties that run in the next election in the uk. It'll be Reform UK versus Zach Polanski's Green Party. And it is going to be a choice of not centrist left or centrist right. It's going to be a choice of are you going to be socialist left wing or are you going to be a far right conservative? There is no middle ground. It's, it is extreme. It is extreme now and it's frightening because I'm a believer in, with sort of politics. Vote for who you agree. 6, 7 out of 10 on you're not going to agree on everything but the core policies of your morality you have to agree with. And if you are the, the parent of a child who needs send support and you are going to vote reform, know that they do not have your children's best interests at heart. And it's, it's, it. Do please do your research people.

[E]

It's friendly fire. So stop, stop harming yourself by voting for possibly the most awful political party that I have ever seen in my life. Anyway, I'm out of spoons. Back again next week I guess.

[D]

Yeah, hopefully the news is a little bit kinder. But if you're out there and you, you see these articles, please speak up, please reach out to know your community and let's try and get some ground movement against this. Just. We need to speak more. We need to share more. Please share this episode on your social. Share it with your followers because nothing about us without us. We need to share our voices. So let's please do that.

[E]

People need to know right?

[D]

Take care of yourself. Lovely people. Remember, Ashley will be back with you for Mindful Mondays every Monday that will be in your feed and we will be back with another episode of the neurodivergent Experience on Thursday. Until then listeners, take care of yourself. Be kind, be safe nightly.

[E]

Bye.

[D]

Thanks for tuning in to the neurodivergent Experience. We hope today's episode sparks something for you. Whether it's a new idea, a bit of validation, or just a moment of connection. Remember, new episodes are every week, so be sure to join us for the next one for more conversations and insights into the neurodivergent Experience. If you've enjoyed this podcast, help us grow. You can do that by rating and reviewing this show. Your support makes a huge difference in helping us reach more people who could benefit from these conversations. You can connect with us on social media, find us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. Just search for the neurodivergent experience. Thank you again for listening and until next time, take care of yourself. You're not alone in this journey.

[C]

How does F1 turn data into insights at 200 mph? AWS is how fans get insight inside the Strategy AWS powers next level innovation for millions of businesses the holidays are.

[G]

Coming and I've got a Boost Mobile gift just for you. Aww, for me?

[C]

Anna?

[G]

Yes Anna, you deserve a gift. The Boost Mobile Unlimited plan is just $10 a month for the first two months, then $25 a month forever with unlimited data, talk and text. It's a gift. Thanks Anna. Anytime, Anna.

[B]

The holidays are here and the best gift is for you. Offer [e-mail] after your first two months you'll pay $25 a month unless you go online or call to cancel. Requires autopay.

[F]

Hi, this is Robert Mays from the Athletic. This time of year always gets busy, but that's when having Peloton in my life really makes a difference. The new Peloton Cross Training Tread plus, powered by Peloton iq, helps me fit in great workouts no matter what's on my schedule. It's Peloton's most advanced advanced equipment yet, giving you real time guidance and endless ways to move. Peloton IQ plans your workouts, tracks your progress, and corrects your form so you can train smarter and make the most of your time. Let yourself run, lift, flex, push and go explore the new peloton cross training Tread [e-mail].