What is neurodiversity?

People experience and interact with the world in different ways and there is no one right way of thinking, learning and behaving.  Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that may affect how people communicate with the world around them. It reflects normal variations in brain function and behaviour. Neurodiversity can affect someone’s behaviour, memory, or ability to learn but this is not always the case. It is an umbrella term – a word that sums up lots of different things. Neurodiversity includes autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and Tourette’s

If you have questions or concerns about your child or young person’s thinking, learning or behaviour and would like to understand how you can support them, it is worthwhile talking to any professional who has regular contact with your child, about your concerns to see what help may be available.  For school age children and young people, concerns and observations should be discussed in the first instance with the young person’s teacher or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) as there are lots of things that you and the school can do to help your young person without further assessment.

Every local Council will have a ‘Local Offer’, which is available online. The local offer details all the help and services available for young people with additional needs in that area.

The Norfolk Local offer can be found here. For Waveney Families, the Suffolk Local offer can be found here.

Support for neurodivergent children and young people should be coordinated across education, health and care and support needs will be different for each individual and their families.

For some children and families, it may be necessary to seek further help through an assessment of possible neurodiversity.

General support and information

NHS Norfolk and Waveney, with colleagues from the wider Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System, have developed further advice and signposting.

A neurodiversity (ND) digital library for parents and carers from Just One Norfolk is available here.

The following quick guides are created for any family who feels their child may be showing signs of neurodevelopmental differences. They can signpost you to resources and services to support you on your journey.

Although an assessment for neurodevelopmental differences such as autism or ADHD is helpful for some families, confirmation of neurodiversity is not required to access additional support.

Further information and direct links can be found here.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney have also published a Supporting your Neurodiverse Child information pack to support families in their journey, which details lots of links to local organisations.