The term itself was developed as part of a movement to shift the thinking from deficit medical model of autism, ADHD, for example, towards a social construct that focuses on what people can do with the correct understanding, access and values.  

It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people (around 15% of the UK population) are neurodivergent.  

Most systems for healthcare, learning, and employment have been set up by neurotypical people, meaning neurodivergent people often face inequalities in many areas of life navigating systems not designed for their neurodivergent differences.  

Neurodivergence includes, but is not limited to, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Tourettes Syndrome. Many neurodivergent individuals have cooccurring differences meaning not just one.  

There are national and local organisations that we work in collaboration with, and which can provide specialist support depending on your needs. You can find a list of them here.

Choosing to have a neurodiversity assessment can help people understand themselves better. It can provide a person with clarity and access to support.  

However, not everyone chooses to seek an assessment; some prefer to explore available support without a formal diagnosis, while others may self-identify as being neurodivergent without undergoing an assessment. 

It may be a personal choice whether someone wants to seek a diagnosis, or it may be that people can face barriers to getting a diagnosis.  

For those who choose to go through a process to seek a diagnosis, this may involve clinical or non-medical pathways. Some people will not want or need a doctor to provide a diagnosis.  

Choosing whether to share your neurodivergence with others is a personal choice, and it is important that each individual feels empowered to make that choice on their own terms. 

We are committed to improving the experience of and increasing opportunities for neurodivergent people, regardless of whether they have a formal diagnosis or not. 

That is why we have identified three strategic priorities and five strategic enablers that will see us reaching more people and increasing our impact, with a focus on supporting individuals, encouraging understanding, shaping policy, and driving excellent practice related to neurodiversity. 

You can read more about this in our strategy. 

Our Strategy to 2027

The selection of topics for inclusion in our Neurodiversity pages, and the content and language we use on our website, is informed by the preferences of neurodivergent people, their families and professionals, as well as the feedback and insight we get from our Advisory Board, many of whom are neurodivergent.  

Our approach to writing about neurodiversity is not to state what terminology or language is right or wrong, but to raise awareness and understanding. It is important to respect personal preference when referring to individuals or groups and we always ask how they would prefer to be described.  

Language around neurodiversity continues to evolve and we will update our content accordingly. Whether you love these pages or think something is missing, we welcome and appreciate your feedback.  

Please email us at info@donaldsons.org.uk telling us the page you are commenting on, why you visited the page and share your feedback.  Responses will help to inform the planning of future updates to our pages. Thank you