We are dismayed by the Scottish Government’s abandoning of their long-promised Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Neurodivergence Bill.
Neurodivergent people have been left feeling hurt, angry, and disillusioned – especially after having dedicated years of time and energy to make it the success we know it could, and should, be.
In 2021, the Scottish Government promised significant positive change through this Bill; change that would have improved outcomes and people’s experiences in health, justice, care, education and employment. Many worked alongside the Scottish Government over five years, sharing their views and often reliving traumatic experiences in the knowledge that changes were coming.
In line with Scottish Government priorities, we support public sector reform that serves Scotland’s most marginalised communities; reform that delivers a lasting shift to meaningful, well-resourced support and a pro-active, preventative approach. However, the actions in the Programme for Government do little to lessen the frustration that people feel in this moment.
For example, mandatory training, inclusive communications, and statutory strategies on neurodivergence – key pillars of the now abandoned Bill – are absent from that government agenda. There is clearly no national plan to remedy the systemic injustices neurodivergent people and families will continue to face.
Individuals’ lives continue to be put on hold as they face significant waits for supports and diagnoses; children and young people continue to miss out on education and autistic un/under-employment persists as a result of a lack of neuro-inclusion in the workplace.
We stand ready to work alongside parliamentarians and partners across all sectors to ensure the ambitions that underpinned this Bill are not lost. We look now to this new @scotgov and the First Minister (@john_swinney_snp) to show leadership and prioritise the change that neurodivergent people and families seek.
#Policy #ScottishGovernment #ProgrammeForGovernment #Neurodivergence
Tomorrow, Glasgow hosts the inaugural National Neurodiversity Show in Scotland at Hampden Park, and our Policy Lead, Stephen Caulfield, and Head of Connect, Louise Storie, will be there!
As the National Body for Neurodiversity, we are eager to engage with the community, connect with organisations across Scotland and join vital conversations shaping policy, advice and direct support.
We hope to see you there! 😊
Looking to make a real difference in a role that fits around your schedule?
If you`re passionate about cooking and helping every young person thrive, this might be the perfect fit for you!
We’re on the lookout for a GTCS-Registered Home Economics Tutor to join us at the Sensational Learning Centre in Linlithgow.
You`ll be working on a 1:1 and small group basis, tailoring practical learning to inspire and empower pupils with additional support needs.
Here is what you need to know:
• 6.5 hours per week (Monday or Tuesday)
• Self-employed basis
• Full GTCS registration in Home Economics & PVG Scheme membership required
Ready to take the next step? Check out the details and apply today, link in our bio. 🔗
⏰ Closing Date: Friday 25th September 2026
Last Friday, our colleagues attended the @pacittijones Masquerade Ball in Glasgow!
We’re deeply grateful to Pacitti Jones for kindly choosing to fundraise for us during the evening. Keep an eye out for more information on this later in the week! 👀
Of course, a special night called for truly special accessories. To ensure our team was completely ready for the occasion, the talented pupils in our Sensational Learning Centre got to work hand-crafting custom masks for everyone. 🎭
They poured so much creativity and effort into every detail, making sure our colleagues had the absolute best masks in the room! They did a stellar job, and we couldn`t have been prouder to show off their amazing artwork. 😄
Progress isn`t always marked by giant leaps. More often, it lives in everyday victories. 🏆
At Treehouse, our home-style environment gives neurodivergent young adults a calm, supportive space to learn and grow at their own pace.
Recently, we’ve had a strong focus on daily living activities, with supported individuals taking the lead on household tasks like cooking and cleaning alongside our Wellbeing Practitioners.
The impact of this approach speaks for itself:
✅ Stronger steps towards independent living
✅ A heightened sense of responsibility and genuine pride in daily achievements
✅ Boosted confidence to navigate day-to-day life autonomously.
When neurodivergent young adults are supported in a low-arousal, bespoke environment tailored to their needs, daily routines turn into stepping stones toward life-changing goals.
Interested in learning more about Treehouse?
🔗 Clink the link in our bio and head to our website to find out more.
Starting higher education is a major milestone, and transitioning into university life can come with unique challenges for many neurodivergent students. 🎓
With the new university term just around the corner, students will soon be starting fresh routines, navigating busy environments and a whole new set of expectations.
@gracejeanblog, an Advisory Board member at Donaldson`s and an autistic university student herself, shares her personal top tips for making the transition to uni life a success. 📝
Drawing directly from her lived experience, she covers everything from navigating the uni social life to managing sensory burnout.
Whether you`re a neurodivergent student yourself, a parent supporting a young adult or a professional in higher education, Grace`s story offers a grounded, honest and reassuring perspective. 👇
Read Grace`s full blog post on our website. Click the link in our bio and head to News and Views.
At Gate, we know that wellbeing looks different for everyone. That’s why we’re always looking at ways to give the people we support opportunities to relax, recharge and try new experiences. 🥰
Recently, Learning and Wellbeing Practitioner, Felicity, facilitated her first yoga session in Gate. The session focused on gentle yin yoga movements, stretching, mindful breathing and simple adaptations so everyone could join in a way that felt comfortable for them.
Felicity shared how yoga can help release the tension that many of us carry in our bodies when we feel worried or stressed. 🧘♀️
"For the people we support, having the option to put aside all their worries and problems for a little while is part of their wellbeing experience – yoga is just another step on the way."
One thing that stood out was how naturally everyone approached the practice without putting pressure on themselves. Some individuals enjoyed exploring different postures, while others found comfort in simply sitting in stillness – and both approaches were equally valuable.
“Teaching people who are new to yoga is a real joy,” Felicity shared. “It tells me so much about individuals, their personalities, their characters and what they really need from their practice.”
🔗 Click the link in our bio and head to our website to find out more about Gate and the support we provide.
We are pleased to share that our CEO, Lynn Wassell, and Head of Learning Services, Angela Evans, will be speaking at @knowledgeexchange_group’s Additional Support for Learning Scotland Conference in Edinburgh on Thursday 17th September.
Lynn will join a panel discussion on improving multi agency collaboration, speaking about how schools, parents, local authorities, and health services can best work together to ensure positive outcomes for all children.
Angela will be discussing how we can understand and provide targeted support for learners with Additional Support Needs across a variety of educational settings.
Register online at www.holyroodinsight.com to hear from Lynn and Angela at the conference in Edinburgh.
👉 20% discount code: spkr5329
#ASLScotlandHI
