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. An introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and supporting learners
4. An introduction to intellectual disability and supporting learners

Open university e-learning modules

Other e-learning modules from Education Scotland are:

• An introduction to Autism and inclusive practice (Open University)
• An introduction to Dyslexia and inclusive practice (Open University)