Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will commission research into the impact of (a) autism and (b) ADHD on women.

The Department commissions research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is currently funding research to address measurement bias in the assessment of the presentation of autism in women, and to develop a new psychometric tool assessing the female-dominant phenotype of autism. The NIHR previously funded a study to improve the accuracy and efficiency of autism assessment for adults which, while not specific to women, will be relevant to their experiences of receiving a diagnosis. The NIHR has also funded research into topics that impact autistic individuals differently, for example how to adapt suicide safety plans to address self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide behaviours in autistic adults.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including the impact of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on women. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity.