Welsh Government invests millions to transform ADHD and autism services and cut waiting times
A further £13.7m is set to be invested to improve neurodivergence services and reduce waiting times for autism and ADHD assessments across Wales.
Demand for neurodivergence services has rapidly grown in recent years, with increased awareness of neurodivergent conditions leading to thousands of people seeking assessments and support.
The new funding will extend the work of the National Neurodivergence Improvement Programme to transform services and support the National Neurodivergence Team until March 2027, building on the £12m invested over the past three years and £3m to reduce the longest waiting times for children’s assessments in November.
Mental Health Week
Marking the start of Children’s Mental Health Week (February 3-9), Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Sarah Murphy said the new funding will help to transform neurodivergence services over the next two years.
She said: “We know radical change is needed in this sector and we are working with the NHS and services to improve long-term support for neurodivergent children, adults and their families.”
“In the face of unprecedented demand for both diagnosis and treatment, we have made significant progress in developing integrated services.
“This further investment will help reduce assessment waiting times while ensuring sustainable support is available for those who need it.”
The Neurodivergence Improvement Programme has already delivered substantial improvements, including extended workforce training across health, social care, education and specialisms, piloted innovative needs-led profiling tools and enhanced data collection and reporting systems.
“Insrumental”
The West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Board’s Myth Busting project is an example of a new support service, which promotes a needs-led, strengths-based approach to supporting neurodivergent pupils, moving away from diagnosis-dependent support.
Through initiatives like Time to Talk sessions, resource materials and digital content, it equips schools and parents with practical tools and strategies to create more inclusive learning environments.
The Minister added: “Our focus is on creating a needs-led approach that provides early help and support, while working to reduce waiting times. This investment demonstrates our commitment to developing sustainable, integrated services that better serve neurodivergent people across Wales.”
Julie Davies, chair of the West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Programme and Head of Adult and Children’s Services at Swansea Council, said: “We are delighted to hear about the extension of the Neurodivergence Programme.
“The continued funding will be instrumental in addressing the specific needs of individuals, our endeavours to reduce waiting times, and developing innovative approaches to support neurodiverse communities.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
We really do need to stem the flow of self-diagnosis, and diagnosis through random Internet services. Any illness – mental or otherwise – should be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional.
But then that will be called out for being discriminatory against the fundamental human rights of the individual.
Unfortunately the individuals then avoid classrooms and learning, so end up only good enough for an English Literature degree that won’t get them anywhere, other than scraping for a job campaigning for future generations to avoid a relevant education.
The article doesn’t talk about self-diagnosis.
At all.
£13.7 million to provide 1 to 1 attention for demanding individuals and their parent / parents, while elsewhere in our education system we have 1 teacher for classes of 60 children who who simply want to behave and learn.
Your attitude seems to reflect the prevailing attitude that existed when I was in school: things like ADHD were just the latest fad from America, an excuse for poor parenting and misbehaved kids. I am the consequences of such attitudes. I didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until my early 40s, and I am still understanding the psychological damage that I did to myself. 30 years of berating myself for not being good enough; for not living up to the potential that people told me I had; for not being able to finish tasks on time; for being late constantly. My… Read more »
Well done on working, as many demanding this attention now will move on to make a ‘career’ out of this, though never pay their own tax. The majority of working people are obviously too busy to comment on here, but the most shocking statistic is that people believe 60 should suffer because of the demands of one, an individual who will then continue to demand a lifetime of special attention while any of 60 die on hospital waiting lists. The reality is that resources are not infinite and other people do suffer the consequences.