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Neurodivergence
Neurodiversity is the wide variety of ways we think, learn, feel and process information.
We all have different interests and motivations, and are naturally better at some things and not so good at others. Most people are known as ‘neurotypical’, which means their brain generally functions and processes information in the way society expects.
We think around one in seven children the UK are neurodivergent, meaning their brain works and processes information in a different way.
Neurodivergent children may have a range of conditions including:
Many young children seem to have endless energy and struggle with staying focused or organised but children with ADHD may seem unable to sit still.
Autism, also called Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), is a lifelong condition that affects how a person relates to other people and communicates with them.
Sensory processing is the way our brain sorts out sensory information so we understand the world and can manage our everyday life.
Children who are neurodivergent may experience higher levels of mental health issues like anxiety, but this is often as a result of a lack of support or the stress of ‘masking’ where children try to ‘fit in’ to avoid a negative reaction.
Diagnosing neurodivergence is highly specialised and can be difficult as symptoms of the different conditions like autism and ADHD often overlap. Waiting lists for assessments are very long across the country, but you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to start helping your child. If you think they might need further support at school you should contact your child’s teacher and/SENCO or your GP.
You do not need a diagnosis to apply for an EHCP and organisations like SENDIASS offer free, independent advice in Kent (called IASK), Medway and East Sussex (called Amaze).
By accepting and valuing the ways neurodivergent children experience and interpret the world around us, we can help to reduce the stigma they feel, improve their outcomes and even make amazing things happen.
We know that waiting for an assessment or diagnosis can be a really worrying time, but it’s important to know you can access support while you are waiting.