The Donaldson Trust joins cross-sector working group to improve support for neurodivergent people
As the National Body for Neurodiversity, The Donaldson Trust is committed to improving outcomes for neurodivergent people across Scotland. We are emphatic about the importance of working with politicians and policymakers to shape change.
Last week, we were pleased to join colleagues from a wide range of organisations at a meeting convened by the Scottish ADHD Coalition to discuss how we embed high quality support for neurodivergent people across society. The group included organisations from the mental health, care-experienced and social care sectors, as well as organisations in the neurodivergence space. It’s vital that neurodivergent voices guide this work, so we were pleased that neurodivergent campaigners and advocates were present.
Discussion at the meeting explored challenges and opportunities for greater coordination, with shared priorities including:
- access to timely and consistent assessment and diagnostic pathways
- strengthening education and workforce capacity
- improving transitions and lifelong support
- promoting more holistic, family-centred approaches
We know that the inequalities neurodivergent people experience day-to-day affect many aspects of their lives, and that these inequalities are ingrained in so many areas of society. Cross-sector collaboration is therefore vital to making real, long-lasting change.
Scotland’s third sector, which includes organisations supporting and/or led by neurodivergent people, has a central role to play in improving outcomes for individuals and families, disseminating good practice, and advocating for the rights of neurodivergent people to politicians and policymakers. Despite this, there was consensus during our discussion that the sector is underutilised in this respect – something recognised by Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in their recent report on neurodivergence.
We were pleased to have a seat at the table during these discussions, and we look forward to working with a wider range of organisations and communities throughout the sector via this group going forward.
