Not surprisingly, the number of disability discrimination claims received by Employment Tribunals has risen sharply, increasing by 79 per cent from 2,272 in the fourth quarter of 2024/25 to 4,056 in the fourth quarter of 2025/26, according to data shared by law firm Littler.
The employment specialists said the rise partly reflects an increasing number of disability discrimination cases centred on an individual’s neurodiversity. Lisa Coleman, senior associate at Littler, said: “We are seeing a significant rise in tribunal cases where ADHD or autism are referenced in disability discrimination complaints, showing that employers are still grappling with the right thing to say or do for their neurodiverse employees.”
On top of this, Coleman also pointed out that it is common for employees with ADHD or autism to experience anxiety or depression, so businesses can often face multiple claims, which are expensive and time-consuming.
