New diagnostic tool, ESSENCE-D, aims to revolutionise the assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions.
New diagnostic aid, ESSENCE-D aims to streamline early diagnosis of multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, improving care quality, access, and outcomes.
International research currently estimates that at least 1 in 10 individuals globally are affected by one or more neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), collectively referred to as ESSENCE. Studies also highlight that delayed diagnosis in children often results in missed opportunities for early intervention and can lead to long-term developmental and behavioural challenges.
A newly developed diagnostic aid, ESSENCE-D by a team of researchers at the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, is set to transform how children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions are assessed and supported around the world. Based on the ESSENCE concept—Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations—the tool builds on a framework introduced in 2010 by Professor Christopher Gillberg, a globally recognised expert in child and adolescent psychiatry.
The ESSENCE concept was developed to meet the growing and pressing need for a more integrated, holistic approach to diagnosing co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions. Traditionally, children have been assessed for conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) via separate, often siloed, pathways—leading to fragmented care and long waits for comprehensive support.
Currently being piloted in countries including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Serbia, and South Africa, ESSENCE-D is designed to streamline the diagnostic process. The user-friendly online platform collects detailed input from parents and carers, through a series of questions based on over 50 years of research, which is then analysed using an algorithm. This generates a clinician-facing dashboard highlighting likely areas of concern, helping clinicians focus their limited face-to-face assessment time more effectively.
Crucially, ESSENCE-D has the potential to remove the need for multiple diagnostic pathways. By offering a single, unified overview of a child’s neurodevelopmental profile, it enables clinicians to consider and diagnose multiple conditions simultaneously. This integrated approach can lead to faster, more personalised support for families, while also helping to reduce waitlists and alleviate pressure on overstretched services.
In the context of rising global demand for NDD assessments, ESSENCE-D represents a significant step forward in delivering timely, thorough care for individuals with suspected NDDs.
The tool’s development and pilot implementation are detailed in a peer-reviewed paper authored by lead PhD student Sara Landberg, recently published in the international journal Child & Youth Services.
"Broad clinical assessment is crucial to capture the complex and diverse nature of neurodevelopmental disorders and our team is now testing whether the newly developed tool, ESSENCE-D, can help do just that. The aim is to improve quality and increase efficiency of diagnostic assessments with the hope of reducing suffering for the many affected individuals and families," says lead researcher Sara Landberg.
ESSENCE-D aims to identify a wide range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, including:
ADHD, Autism/Asperger Syndrome, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Selective Mutism, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD), reading and writing difficulties, arithmetic difficulties, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), prosopagnosia, unusual sensory experiences, and sleep problems.
Text by Anna Spyrou (Communications Officer)
Link to published article:
The development of the ESSENCE Diagnostic aid (ESSENCE-D) (2025). S. Landberg, M. Broadbent, M. Fordham, , G. Chadwick H. Minnis, J. Lang, C. Davidson, K. Brimo, I. Vinsa, A. Spyrou and C. Gillberg. Child and Youth Services, (Epub ahead of print).
