Disability discrimination claims received by Employment Tribunals have sharply increased by 79%, rising from 2,272 in the fourth quarter of 2024/25 to 4,056 in the fourth quarter of 2025/26. This surge, according to data from law firm Littler, partly reflects a growing number of cases centred on individuals' neurodiversity.
Lisa Coleman, a senior associate at Littler, noted a significant rise in tribunal cases referencing ADHD or autism in disability discrimination complaints. This indicates that employers are still struggling to determine appropriate support for their neurodiverse employees.
Clare Brennan, a partner at Hunters Law, highlighted that while employers cannot claim ignorance about disabilities, the hidden nature of neurodiversity can make legal warning signs difficult to identify. Businesses are challenged to provide support within complex employment laws, with no universal solution for adjustments.
Robert Turner, a senior associate at Lawrence Stephens, advises businesses to be flexible with adjustments and maintain open dialogue, as employees may not fully understand their own support needs.