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Essex Safeguarding Children Board

Neurodiversity (incorporating ADHD and Autism)

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is a term used to describe a variation in normal human evolution which means some people think different to others. Neurodiverse conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, tourette syndrome and complex tic disorders. (definition from Oxfordhealth.nhs.uk)

Neurodiversity has been a key theme in recent CSPRs, with the following recommendations made: 

All agencies working with children and young people should increase awareness of neurodiversity across their workforce and ensure that practitioners develop skills in:

  • Recognising signs, indicators and impact on the young person in their day-to-day life
  • Ensuring all reasonable adjustments are made when providing support in line with the Equality Act 2010
  • Promoting positive self-identity as a neurodivergent young person
  • Identifying when a young person may need to be offered a formal assessment.

Essex safeguarding partners should work together to develop an Essex autism strategy to ensure that where a young person has complex needs which cut across mental health, social care and disability services there is a coordinated response with access to services, roles and responsibilities being clearly defined.

Further reading on Neurodiversity

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