Autism diagnoses in England have risen to record highs, with more than 20,000 people told they have the disorder in the past year.The figure is a jump of around 52 per cent since June last year, when 15,340 diagnoses were made in the previous 12 months, according to new NHS data. A further 300,000 people in England are awaiting an assessment for suspected autism - four times the number in 2021. More than half of the new diagnoses are in children, the data shows. The striking figures follow a recent warning from autism research pioneer Professor Dame Uta Frith that many people diagnosed with the disorder may not actually have it.In a damning paper published in the journal Psychological Medicine, the expert said 'anyone' can have autism nowadays, adding it has become a 'catch all' diagnosis for other psychological problems.The definition of autism has become 'too broad' as a result of 'misleading' ideas spread on social media, she added.Earlier this week popstar Robbie Williams became the latest of a series of celebrities to disclose his diagnosis of autism - which causes problems with development and learning. Robbie Williams revealed he was diagnosed with autism, exclusively reported by the Daily MailSpeaking during a Q&A at the Autumn/Winter launch of his clothing brand Hopeium at Flannels, Robbie said he has 'a little bit of autism' and uses the disorder as a 'get out of jail free card'.Autism is currently diagnosed in around 700,000 Britons. In 2021, researchers found that diagnoses had increased by a startling 787 per cent in the UK between 1998 and 2018, which some experts have argued is due to better awareness and understanding. The Daily Mail's interactive graphic (below) reveals which NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) – bodies responsible for the health service in a local area – have made the most diagnoses over the last year.NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB led the way with 4,470 patients diagnosed between June 2025 and June 2026. That's nearly a quarter of the total across England, and more than double the 2,220 patients at NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, which recorded the second most over the same time period.The statistics, released by NHS England, show those who receive a diagnosis after being referred to a specialist.The figures also show a large rise in monthly diagnoses, from year to year. Some 1,375 patients were diagnosed with autism in June 2025, compared to 3,145 this June.Meanwhile, just 370 diagnoses were made in June 2021.