Organisations from across Scotland have agreed to work more closely together to improve support for people with neurodivergences, following a meeting convened by the Scottish ADHD Coalition in Edinburgh.
The initial meeting brought together experts from a range of sectors and organisations to explore shared challenges and opportunities for greater coordination.
There was broad consensus among participants that the third sector represents a significant but underutilised asset in improving outcomes for individuals and families. Attendees noted that recent findings from the Scottish Parliament’s Equality and Human Rights work highlight the need to make more effective and productive use of the sector’s expertise, insight and reach.
Participants agreed that, while many organisations are already delivering valuable work, greater coordination could improve outcomes across the life course while helping to reduce demand on public services.
The discussion identified a number of shared, cross-cutting 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
There was agreement to take forward collaboration in these areas and to work with the Scottish Government in providing a pathway to finding solutions to the current situation.
Bill Colley, Chair of the Scottish ADHD Coalition, said:
“There is a clear opportunity to make better use of the collective expertise across the neurodevelopment sector in Scotland. Today’s discussion showed an enthusiastic appetite to work more collaboratively to support more joined-up approaches and improve outcomes.”
Attendees at the meeting included:
- Scottish ADHD Coalition
- Scottish Autism
- Autism Initiatives
- SWAN Autism
- Dyslexia Scotland
- Tourette Scotland
- SAMH
- Suicide Prevention Scotland
- Kindred
- Staf
- The Promise Scotland
- ADHD Scotland (the charity)
- Public Services Delivery Scotland
- NHS – Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership
- The Donaldson Trust
The Scottish ADHD Coalition brings together voluntary organisations providing support to adults and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and their parents, carers and families. You can sign up to our mailing list here, read our FAQs, or find your nearest support group.