Neurodivergence in Sport: Where to Now?
This is a follow-on from an earlier piece, which you can read here: https://themindroom.com.au/neurodivergence-in-sport-why-it-matters/
A rise in diagnosis
Have you noticed how often ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are coming up in conversation lately? It feels like more and more people are identifying as neurodiverse or neurodivergent, online, in workplaces, and increasingly in sporting environments too.
Part of this shift stems from changes made to diagnostic criteria in 2022, which opened the door for more people to seek assessment and support. And honestly, it makes sense. In Australia, a surprisingly low percentage of neurodivergent people are receiving adequate support, whether in daily life, education, or work. So when people realise they might finally meet the threshold for diagnosis, and therefore gain access to meaningful support, many choose to pursue it.
Neurodivergence in adults
As awareness grows, so does the number of adults being diagnosed later in life. ADHD and ASD are neurodevelopmental conditions, which means signs are usually present in childhood but plenty of factors can delay diagnosis, including:
Masking:
Many neurodivergent people learn to hide or suppress their traits, sometimes intentionally, sometimes without realising, just to fit in. This can make their symptoms much harder to spot.
Traits that look “helpful”:
In sport especially, some neurodivergent traits can be interpreted positively, like rapid skill acquisition or being “highly coachable.” Quietness, for example, might simply be masking. These traits can lead coaches and others to miss what’s actually going on.
Conformity pressures:
For young people, fitting in with peers often wins over being fully themselves, which can overshadow underlying difficulties.
Late self-recognition:
With more conversation, more visibility, and more people openly sharing their experiences, particularly online, lots of adults are seeing their own story reflected for the first time. That moment of recognition can be what prompts someone to finally seek an assessment.
Adult athletes and neurodivergence
Put all of this together and it becomes clearer why we’re seeing such a large increase in assessment-seeking in elite sport. According to the AFLPA, ADHD assessment requests jumped 117% from 2022 to 2023, and then another 43% the following year. Masking, updated diagnostic criteria, and relatable stories shared in the athlete community all likely play a part.
Interestingly, neurodivergence appears more common among athletes than the general adult population. ADHD affects about 2.5% of adults overall, but current estimates suggest 7–8% of athletes may meet criteria. It’s also fair to assume this number is still an underestimate, many athletes remain undiagnosed or don’t yet feel safe to be open about their experiences.
As athletes transition into full-time programs and take on adult responsibilities, managing money, moving out, navigating contracts, adapting to new teams, or starting families, symptoms can become more noticeable. High-performance environments highlight strengths, but they can also expose challenges that went under the radar earlier in life.
Why assessment matters
Despite progress, neurodivergence is still likely under-reported across elite sport. The encouraging news is that cultural change is underway. More support staff and administrators are actively exploring how to better understand and support neurodivergent athletes. The goal? For every athlete, neurodivergent or neurotypical, to feel supported and to have equal access to opportunities.
Assessment is a key part of this shift. When athletes feel able to seek clarity around their experiences, they’re more likely to access supports that help them thrive, not just survive, in their sport. Yes, it can feel daunting, but that step can lead to greater understanding, more tailored strategies, and a better chance of performing at your best.
The more open conversations we have, and the more we normalise assessment and diagnosis, the quicker this cultural shift can take root across the sporting world.
References
AFL Player’s Association (2025) Health, safety, and wellbeing, Insights and Impact Report. Retrieved from: https://www.aflplayers.com.au/app/uploads/2025/05/2028_AFLPA-Insights-and-Impact-Report-DIGITAL_Spreads.pdf
Alosco, M. L., Fedor, A. & Gunstad, J. (2014). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for concussions in NCAA division-I athletes, Brain Injury. https://doi.org/10.3109/02699052.2014.887145
Australian Psychological Society (2024). Why has everyone suddenly got ADHD? Retrieved from: https://psychology.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/aps-in-the-media/2024/why-has-everyone-suddenly-got-adhd.
Berg, V., Colla, M., Seifritz, E. & Malte, C. C. (2020). ADHD in athletes, Sport & Exercise Medicine Switzerland. https://doi.org.10.34045/SEMS/2020/23
Community Affairs References Committee (2023). Assessment and support services for people with ADHD. Retrieved from:https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportsen/RB000138/toc_pdf/AssessmentandsupportservicesforpeoplewithADHD.pdf
Han, D., McDuff, D., Thompson, D., Hitchcock, M., Reardon, C. & Hainline, B. (2019). Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in elite athletes: A narrative review, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(12). https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-100713
Leibold, C., Smetana, R. M. & Statuta, S. M. (2024) Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in athletes, Clinics in Sports Medicine, 43(1), 145-157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2023.06.013
Poysophon, P. & Rao, A. L. (2018). Neurocognitive deficits associated with ADHD in athletes: A systematic review, Sports Health, 10(4), 317-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738117751387
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (2023). ADHD across the lifespan. Retrieved from: https://www.ranzcp.org/clinical-guidelines-publications/clinical-guidelines-publications-library/adhd-across-the-lifespan#:~:text=Despite%20these%20significant%20costs%2C%20ADHD,exclusionary%20punishment%20practices.%5B30%5D
