Neurodiversity
This Pathway helps children and young people in Devon (excluding Plymouth) with neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Condition.
Please note: The Neurodiversity Pathway is currently only offering autism assessment services. ADHD assessments can be accessed via referral from a GP to Paediatrics, or through our Mood, Emotions and Relationships (MERS) pathway where there is a co-occurring mental health need. Support for tics and Tourette’s syndrome can currently be accessed through The Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST) or MERS teams via referral form here. Information about ADHD and tics/Tourette’s syndrome is provided on this page for those who may find it helpful to access.
Assessments and support for Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia are not provided by the Neurodiversity pathway. We recommend that families speak with their child’s school and/or GP to explore appropriate assessment and referral options.
CFHD specialists you might receive care from in this Pathway
- Psychiatrists
- Occupational Therapists
- Clinical Psychologists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Mental health professionals
- Assistant Practitioners
- Non-medical prescribers
What does Neurodiversity mean?
Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity in human brains. This is a biological fact that should be embraced, and no brain type should be considered more valid than another.
Neurodivergence is the term used when a person’s brain processes, learns, and / or behaves differently from what is considered ‘typical’. Conditions classified as forms of neurodivergence include autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and ADHD. These conditions very often co-occur and over-lap, meaning a child or young person can experience more than one simultaneously.
For more Information
- Royal College of Nursing
- National Autistic Society
- Autism Education Trust
Neurodiversity pathway advice line
Livewell and CFHD are working together to provide a free, confidential advice line for children, young people and their families on the Neurodiversity Pathways in Plymouth and Devon.
Right to Choose assessment
If your child has been referred for a Right to Choose assessment by the GP, please let us know so we can remove your child from our Child and Family Health wait list, as this will not happen automatically. A child cannot undergo both assessments in parallel, so we need to update our records accordingly.
Autism assessment process
We would like to provide you with information about the autism assessment process for your child.