With plenty on the agenda, our parliamentary engagement continued this week, and we`re grateful to @danieljohnsonmsp and @alexanderkerr__ for their time and insights. 👏
Daniel has been a longstanding advocate for neurodivergent people and neurodivergent rights in Scotland. Our conversation reflected on recent progress while looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges still to come. We discussed the importance of public service reform being shaped by a clear focus on outcomes, inclusion and the rights of marginalised communities, particularly at a time when greater strategic direction is needed within Scotland`s neurodivergence policy landscape.
We also had a valuable discussion with Alex about employability, skills and creating pathways that work for everyone. We shared how our Connect neurodiversity training and consultancy services help organisations build more neuro-inclusive workplaces, while exploring the value of skills-based learning, apprenticeships and alternative routes into employment for neurodivergent young people and adults.
These conversations are vital in helping drive forward the rights, opportunities and aspirations of neurodivergent people across Scotland. We look forward to continuing our cross-party engagement and welcoming Amanda Lindsay MSP to our Linlithgow campus next week. 🗓
Moving beyond school into adulthood is a major milestone, and having the right network in place makes all the difference. 👏
That’s why we’re looking forward to attending the upcoming Planning for Adulthood Transitions Event hosted by @carerswestlothian next week.
Members of our Adult Services team will be there to discuss our tailored support for neurodivergent individuals aged 16 and over as they take those next steps.
Whether you`re just starting to think about transitions or already making plans, drop by our stand to meet the team, pick up information and discover how we support young adults and their families to shape a future that truly fits.
Event details:
🗓 Date: Thursday 12th November
🕐 Time: 6pm to 8pm
📍 Location: Inveralmond High School, Livingston
If you are a parent or carer of a young person aged 14-18 with additional support needs, come along and see the support available.
❗ Spaces are free but booking is essential. Click the link in our bio to reserve your spot!
#Transitions #Neurodiversity #SchoolLeavers #Neurodivergence #AdditionalSupportNeeds #AdultServices
Halloween may be over, but we’re still celebrating the fun and creativity that took place across our services last week. 👏
Between our annual pumpkin competition, incredible Halloween costumes, and another trip to The Scottish Witch Trial Museum, it’s been a week packed with spooky season fun! 🎃
We know that Halloween can feel overwhelming for many neurodivergent people. That’s why we made sure all our activities were accessible and adaptable – so everyone could join in at their own pace.
Thank you to everyone who joined in and helped make this Halloween our best yet! 🥳
Building on our recent engagement at Holyrood, we were back at the Scottish Parliament yesterday to meet with ally MSPs.
Keeping neurodivergent rights high on the parliamentary agenda requires continuous dialogue, especially at such a critical juncture. We remain dedicated to ensuring decision-makers have opportunities to learn about and reflect on the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals and families across Scotland.
Both Members were keen to hear from us about Wednesday’s parliamentary debate on the currently shelved Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill, and on the route forward. We emphasised that, at its heart, delivering the Bill is an issue of trust; the Scottish Government must deliver on its long-standing commitments to our communities.
We spoke to MSPs about the urgent need to improve neurodevelopmental assessment and support pathways, and ensure that neurodivergent voices are listened to amidst ongoing public service reform.
Keeping these conversations active is vital to driving lasting, positive change we know that our communities want to see.
We’d like to thank @duncan_dunlop_msp and @kaykinoneill for their continued support and taking the time to meet with us yesterday. We were happy, too, to hear leader of @scotlibdems, @alexcolehamilton, raise LDAN at First Minister`s Questions (FMQs).
#Neurodivergence #ScottishParliament #PolicyAndAdvocacy #Neurodiversity #HumanRights
Yesterday, for the first time since the LDAN process began, MSPs had the opportunity to consider the principle of new legislation.
And their message was clear: the Scottish Government should make good on its own commitment and introduce a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
Throughout the debate we heard MSPs speak to the necessity of legislative remedies for the systemic challenges neurodivergent people and families face. @briggs_miles contribution noted that, in absence of a Bill, the Scottish Government’s programme does not effectively address the scale of the challenges that impact all neurodivergent people and families. @joe.long.msp stressed that we are not in an either/or situation; action and legislation need not be mutually exclusive. Urgent improvement of services can, and must, be undertaken while strategic, system-wide accountability and change are put on a sustainable statutory footing.
We’d like to recognise, too, that the debate included powerful, and in many cases deeply personal, contributions from MSPs across all parties. We’d like, in particular, to pay tribute to @danieljohnsonmsp and @karenadammsp, who shared their lived experience as neurodivergent people. It’s clear that, regardless of party or perspective, there is a real appetite in Parliament for transformative change.
In September, the Scottish Government chose to shelve the LDAN Bill. People with lived experience – and now our Parliament, too – have had their say on that setback. It is now up to the Scottish Government to reflect on next steps and consider when and how they will bring legislation forward.
The Donaldson Trust will continue to advocate with and for neurodivergent people and families, calling for a robust and transformative Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
You can read the full text of the motion – by @scotlibdems, with unanimous support from each of the opposition parties on the @scotparl website. 🔗
#Policy #ScottishGovernment #Neurodivergence LDANBil
Class Oak’s latest topic is truly spellbinding! 🪄
As part of their National 3 People and Society qualification looking at The Scottish Witch Trials, pupils from Class Oak took two fascinating trips to The Scottish Witch Trials Museum in Leven and The Witches` Maze in Crook of Devon. These outings gave the pupils a hands-on way to bring their classroom learning to life, sparking curiosity, discussion and creativity.
Outings like this are a wonderful way for pupils to connect with history, practice their social and communication skills out in the community and engage with learning in a fun environment.
Everyone had a brilliant time uncovering stories from the past and discovering the history behind their topic in a practical way! 🧙♀️
The @scotlibdems will use their time in @scotparl tomorrow to debate a motion calling for the LDAN Bill to return to the policy agenda.
When the Scottish Government brought forward its agenda last month, we shared the disappointment felt by neurodivergent people and families at the decision to abandon the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill.
We work with neurodivergent people and families every day, and so know the LDAN Bill represented – and can still represent – an important opportunity. It would strengthen accountability, improve access to services, embed equality, and drive meaningful change.
This matters because it leaves Scotland without a national plan to remedy the many systemic injustices neurodivergent people and families experience daily. Since September, we have stressed to the Minister and parliamentarians the need for more strategic direction.
We welcome this debate and the opportunity to once again focus attention on the substantive changes families need and deserve. Neurodivergent people must remain at the heart of the Scottish Government`s priorities, with meaningful action that delivers lasting change.
#Policy #ScottishGovernment #Neurodivergence #LDANBill
The young adults supported by our Gate service recently took part in @scottishlibraries Wee Read. 📖
For us, reading plays a pivotal role in the lives of the people we support – opening doors to learning, creativity, and personal growth. For neurodivergent individuals, engaging with stories can also be a powerful tool for enhancing focus, communication and self-expression.
The young people demonstrated just how many different opportunities there are to read throughout a normal day:
🍳 Following recipes in the kitchen
📰 Flipping through a magazine to relax
🎧 Listening to audiobooks
📖 Unwinding over lunch with a favorite book
While audiobooks are already a regular part of Gate’s morning routine, everyone took things a step further during the #WeeRead by exploring reading in all its different formats. Everyone chose the style that suited them best!
It was a fantastic way to celebrate reading in all its forms. 😄
