Moving forward and next steps

Neurodiversity Summit

In 2023/24, we held two Neurodiversity Summits with the aim to bring diverse voices together to identify common ground and share the challenges our sectors face in supporting the neurodivergent population. The way that our usual support offers are configured often do not meet people’s needs and within healthcare there are huge capacity issues limiting the ability for people to receive a timely formal ADHD or Autism diagnosis.

However, neurodivergence is not solely something for the health and care system to support. All elements of the way our society operates across education, workplaces, the criminal justice system and more have a role to play in working together, understanding the pressures on one another and seeking to reduce barriers for neurodivergent people. This requires everyone to think radically about the options available and what our expectations should be of one another.

The first Summit was an opportunity for people working across sectors and people with lived experience to share their current experiences. People then worked together to explore what was working well and what do we need to do by 2028  to create a neurodiverse friendly West Yorkshire partnership, where we celebrate uniqueness and promote inclusion

The second Summit started by feeding back from the first event and hearing about the learning from Wales in how they have reviewed their CAMHS service, worked closely with families and professionals to address waits whilst also addressing support for families. Most of the day was interactive and focused on how to address ‘waiting well’ and ‘waits’. We asked groups to plot their ideas and priorities they felt would have the biggest impact against a five-year timeline.

A illustrator attended the first Summit to capture some snapshots of the day below:

The priority themes that came from the day were:

• Digital information and support
• Early in person support
• Education
• Assessment pathways
• Workforce
• Data and intelligence

Findings from the West Yorkshire Neurodiversity Summit

The West Yorkshire Neurodiversity Summits has fostered a shared vision for a future where neurodiversity is celebrated, and inclusion is prioritised across all sectors of society, from healthcare and education to employment and the criminal justice system.

Read the Neurodiversity Summit Report and the plain text version if needed.