Neurodivergent members

What's neurodiversity?

Definitions and wording about neurodiversity can change over time. We've provided key terms and explanations to support your understanding and help you include all neurodivergent members in guiding.

Not all neurodivergent people identify as disabled, even though they may meet the legal definition of disability and you may have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for them. For this reason, we’ve focused on neurodiversity rather than disability in this guidance. 

• Neurodiversity: the natural difference in the way people's brains function. Neurodiversity refers to the various ways that human minds work.
• Neurodivergent: people who broadly share a different way of thinking, processing and mental functioning. Autism, dyslexia and ADHD are examples of conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodiversity and people with these conditions can identify as being neurodivergent.
• Neurotypical: someone who is not neurodivergent.

It’s important to respect an individual's preferences about language. Some people might say they have a condition. Others might say they're autistic, dyslexic or an ADHDer, as it relates to their whole self, rather than being part of them or something they have. We don't encourage anyone to make assumptions, label or diagnose others.

Neurodiversity is a broad term and can include many conditions. People who have conditions like dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, bipolar disorder, Tourettes, epilepsy, or they stammer, can also identify as being neurodivergent.

Overview of common neurodivergent conditions

These 6 conditions are the most common forms of neurodiversity in UK schools and workplaces. They can overlap, and many people experience traits from more than one condition.

1. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) – a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention, focus, impulse control, and energy regulation. It can make concentration and task management challenging.
2. Autism – a lifelong neurodevelopmental difference that affects social communication, flexibility of thought, and sensory processing. Find out more about supporting autistic members.
3. Dyscalculia – affects understanding numbers, time, and mathematical concepts, making calculations and numerical reasoning difficult.
4. Dysgraphia – impacts writing skills, including handwriting, spelling, and expressing thoughts clearly on paper.
5. Dyslexia – affects reading, spelling, and language processing. It’s the most common specific learning difference and can also influence memory and organisation.
6. Dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder) – affects physical coordination and motor planning, which can influence handwriting, organisation, and everyday activities.

We want all neurodivergent members to be included in guiding. This means that we might need to do things differently when neurodivergent members face barriers.

Neurodiversity and sharing information

Sharing information about neurodiversity is a personal choice. Some members may be very open about neurodiversity and feel comfortable talking about it with others. Other members may choose to keep this information private.

Whilst you might be interested or curious, yofu often don't need to know any personal information about neurodiversity. If you think a member in your unit may be neurodivergent, instead of discussing the possible condition, you should give members the opportunity to talk about any barriers they're facing, so you can make adjustments.

If you think a member may be facing barriers, try not to worry about whether they’ve shared personal information or have a diagnosis. Instead, focus on spotting the signs of potential barriers, start a conversation and make adjustments or changes to help remove those barriers.  

Resources and supporting organisations

Contact these organisations for the most up-to-date information:

• ADHD Babes - a support group for Black women and non-binary people with ADHD.
• ADHD UK - a national charity providing support, resources, and advocacy for individuals affected by ADHD across the UK.
• AP Cymru – The Neurodiversity Charity - a Welsh charity striving to create a neuro-inclusive world for children, young people and their families by providing a toolkit of guidance, knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity through authentic lived-experience.
• Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland - creating opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent people, and their networks, to realise their full potential and transform the world we live in.
• Black Autism Manchester - a community group for Black women with presumed or diagnosed autism.   
• British Dyslexia Association - a membership organisation working to achieve a dyslexia-friendly society for all.
• Daisy Chain - a charity that supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults, and their families through holistic, person-centred services. 
• Dyscalculia Network - supports and advocates for people with dyscalculia and maths learning difficulties. The only UK organisation exclusively focused on dyscalculia. 
• Dyspraxia Foundation - supporting individuals with Dyspraxia. Provides information, advocacy, and community resources for children, young people, adults, families, and professionals. 
• Family Fund - UK's largest grant-making charity for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child, on a low income. Across all the UK. 
• Mindroom - a Scottish charity that champions all forms of neurodiversity.
• National Autistic Society - here to help the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families.
• Neurodivergence Wales - the national neurodivergence site for Wales.
• STAMMA - the largest UK charity and membership organisation representing people who stammer.
• The Brain Charity - supports people with over 600 neurological conditions, including dyscalculia. 
• The Donaldson Trust - the national body for neurodiversity.
• The Society for Neurodiversity (S4Nd - pronounced Sand) - supports people who identify as neurodivergent, including their families, friends and allies.
• Tourettes Action - the UK’s only national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families.

For further guidance on removing barriers for neurodivergent members and volunteers please visit the following pages on the Gov.uk website:

• Making your service accessible: an introduction
• Accessible communications
• Digital communication
• Inclusive language

Need more support?

It’s okay not to know what to do - you can always seek additional support or escalate any concerns.

If you don't know what adjustments to make or need any help with a member or for yourself please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]

For further support or information, please contact your commissioner or county adviser or email [email protected].

You can also find out more about supporting members with their mental health and wellbeing.