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 in the UK are neurodivergent, meaning their brain works and processes information in a different way.
Neurodivergent children may have a range of conditions including:
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.
All children are unique and will develop at different rates.
Some children and young people may require more help to learn and develop than others of the same age because of a physical disability, neurodivergence or a learning need. They may be classed as having special educational needs or disability (SEND) and they may get extra support.
The first step is to talk to your child's childcare or education setting to discuss the support that can be put in place for them. If your child isn't in childcare, speak to your health visitor or GP to access support. You can find a video about what support is available and who to speak to if you think your child has SEND needs. Contact your child's school or nursery before they start to get that support in place for them as early as possible. With that extra support children will make good progress.
Your child's childcare or education setting should plan extra learning support for your child if they think they have SEN. You can find out more about support available to you and your child at the Kent County Council's Local Offer website.
If your child isn't making the expected progress despite the support put in place, you can request an education health and care (EHC) assessment for your child. You do not need a neurodivergence diagnosis to apply for an EHC.
Information Advice and Support Kent (IASK) offers free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) for children, young people up to age 25, parents and carers.
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.
Support available
Health Visiting Team and School Health are a team of nurses and practitioners who work with children, young people and families in Kent. We offer one-to-one support based on your child’s needs and can support a referral to health or education specialists if your child needs further support.