Recent discussions highlight concerns over the rising rates of autism and mental health diagnoses among young people in developed countries, particularly Australia and the UK. Disability advocates describe the surge in autism diagnoses as alarming, urging governments to investigate the causes behind the increase. Data indicates that autism prevalence has risen dramatically from 1 in 1,000 in 1990 to approximately 1 in 31 today. Experts warn that overdiagnosis and expanded definitions of mental health conditions, referred to as 'concept creep,' may be contributing to inflated diagnosis rates, placing substantial strain on public services such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services in the UK. This strain is described as pushing local councils and state systems to the brink of financial and operational sustainability. Additionally, children diagnosed with autism reportedly face a higher burden of physical health issues in the five years following their diagnosis compared to neurotypical peers. Socioeconomic factors like poverty, low wages, high living costs, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure are also linked to increasing mental health challenges among youth in the UK. Calls for reform emphasize the need to address both diagnostic criteria and systemic support mechanisms to prevent further pressure on public services.