Bangura, E. (2025). Managing Money With a Neurodivergent Brain: A 2025 UK Research Study. Retrieved from https://estherbangura.com/nd-money-report
How to Cite This Research
The 279 respondents represented a diverse cross-section of neurodivergent adults across the UK:
- 83.1% were assigned female at birth
- 43% reported Autism Spectrum diagnosis
- 41.6% reported ADHD (Combined type)
- 17.2% self-identified without a formal diagnosis
Most respondents were employed full-time (59.9%) or self-employed (19.4%), highlighting that financial struggle is not limited to unemployment or low effort.
Income ranged widely:
- 22.6% earn £25,000–£34,999
- 19.7% earn £50,000–£74,999
- 9.7% earn over £75,000
Neurodivergent financial challenges span income levels.
Who Took Part in the Study
For too long, financial systems, workplaces, and support services have overlooked the needs of neurodivergent adults.
This study confirms:
Financial wellbeing impacts housing stability, employment, health, and independence. Ignoring these barriers risks perpetuating inequality and losing significant economic potential.
This study confirms:
- Financial distress is often rooted in systemic mismatch, not irresponsibility
- Executive dysfunction and emotional regulation challenges deeply affect financial behaviour
- Over 80% feel they may be under-earning due to unmet support needs
Financial wellbeing impacts housing stability, employment, health, and independence. Ignoring these barriers risks perpetuating inequality and losing significant economic potential.
Why This Research Matters
If you are a journalist, researcher, local authority, or organisation exploring the intersection of neurodivergence and financial wellbeing, you are welcome to reference this study.
For interviews, commentary, collaboration, or speaking opportunities:
📧 info@estherbangura.com
🌐 www.estherbangura.com
For interviews, commentary, collaboration, or speaking opportunities:
📧 info@estherbangura.com
🌐 www.estherbangura.com
Media & Press Enquiries
- 60.9% believe they could earn more with better support
- 11.1% cited discrimination or bullying as limiting their income
- 11.1% reported inflexible work environments impacting earning potential
- 80% overspend when stressed
- 77% struggle with planning ahead financially
- 76% struggle to budget or track spending
- 73% experience fear or shame around money
- Only 4% reported experiencing none of the listed financial challenges
- 74.9% want 1:1 tailored and personalised support
- 50.2% want accountability structures
In early 2025, I conducted a UK-wide research study exploring how neurodivergent adults experience and manage money.
This study captured responses from 279 neurodivergent adults across the UK, aged 19 to 69.
Many respondents were diagnosed in adulthood, and 58.1% received their diagnosis after age 30.
The findings show that financial difficulty is rarely about irresponsibility or lack of effort. Instead, challenges are closely linked to executive functioning differences, emotional regulation, workplace barriers, and systems that were not designed with neurodivergent thinking in mind.
Preferred Support
Financial Challenges
Income & Workplace Impact
Key Findings at a Glance
Research Overview
By Esther Bangura
🙏🏾Thank you to everyone who took part in this research. Your honesty, openness, and insights have helped shed light on what it is really like to manage money with a neurodivergent brain.
If you took part, thank you. Your voice matters. And if you are still figuring things out, you are not alone and you are not behind.
Being diagnosed as neurodivergent in adulthood, I've had my share of financial struggles. Knowing I'm not alone has been deeply healing—it’s eased the shame and guilt I once carried and reminded me that my journey is valid.
A massive thank you to all participants
🙏🏾Thank you to everyone who took part in this research. Your honesty, openness, and insights have helped shed light on what it is really like to manage money with a neurodivergent brain.
If you took part, thank you. Your voice matters. And if you are still figuring things out, you are not alone and you are not behind.
Being diagnosed as neurodivergent in adulthood, I've had my share of financial struggles. Knowing I'm not alone has been deeply healing—it’s eased the shame and guilt I once carried and reminded me that my journey is valid.
If you took part, thank you. Your voice matters. And if you are still figuring things out, you are not alone and you are not behind.
Being diagnosed as neurodivergent in adulthood, I've had my share of financial struggles. Knowing I'm not alone has been deeply healing—it’s eased the shame and guilt I once carried and reminded me that my journey is valid.
A massive thank you to all participants
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The Neurodivergent
Money Management Report
(UK Research Study)
Money Management Report
(UK Research Study)
279 people surveyed