Neurodiversity is the name given to a burgeoning social movement, thought to be first coined by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist in the 1990s. Neurodiversity is not a medical diagnostic label, rather an umbrella term which encourages neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD and Dyslexia to be viewed and understood in a positive way.

It is estimated that around 1 in 7 people (more than 15% of the UK) have neurodevelopmental differences. These can affect the way that people learn and process information.

Neurodevelopmental differences

The term neurodiversity usually refers to range of developmental differences including:

• Autism
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) also referred to as Dyspraxia
• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
• Epilepsy
• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Intellectual Disability
• Tourette's and Tic disorders
• Specific Learning Disorder/ Differences e.g. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia.

It is normal practice for learning differences such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia to be identified through a non-medical pathway.

The term neurodiversity is increasingly being used in the workplace, education and beyond. It is rare that a child or adult would have only one area of difficulty. Co-occurrence of learning differences appears to be the rule rather than the exception.

Needs not labels

Support must focus on need not a label. The vast majority of children and young people in Scotland are supported in the Universal level of the Staged Level of Intervention. Using a universal design approach enables the development of learning and teaching which is accessible for all learners.

According to the The Additional Support for Learning (ASL) Act , support must focus on need. It is not dependent on a label or diagnosis.

Further Professional Learning

If you are interested in learning more about specific aspects of neurodiversity, Education Scotland has created a series of Professional Learning Activities:

1. Understanding Autism and Supporting Learners
2. Understanding ADHD and Supporting Learners
3. Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Supporting Learners
4. Understanding Learning/Intellectual Disability and Supporting Learners

E-learning modules

A suite of free e-learning modules from Education Scotland are also available:

Introduction to Autism and Inclusive Practice (Open University)

3 incremental modules on Dyslexia and Inclusive Practice (Open University)