Neurodiversity

This webpage offers guidance and resources for neurodivergent individuals under 18 in Buckinghamshire, with a special emphasis on ADHD and Autism. Every neurodivergent person is amazingly unique- while some may seek support to thrive or navigate challenges, others may not require it. Whatever your needs, a wide range of support options are available to help you.

Neurodiversity and Buckinghamshire CAMHS

We are a neuro affirming service which means we support and celebrate neurodiversity, valuing the strengths and rights of neurodivergent individuals and providing the adaptations they need to succeed and thrive without attempting to ‘fix’ or change their neurotype.

Staff

We have mixed teams of neurotypical and neurodivergent staff as well as staff with neurodivergent children and family members who bring real lived experience and knowledge into their role. This enables us to take a positive outlook to the work we carry out so that we can make a difference to the children, young people and families we see.

Teams

At Buckinghamshire CAMHS we have 3 teams that are specialists in neurodivergence:

• Neurodevelopmental Assessment Team
• Specialist Neurodivergent Support Team (SNST)
• ADHD Clinic

These teams also support and work with colleagues in our other CAMHS teams when they are working with neurodivergent young people. As part of this work we are working to ensure there is a consistent use of language that supports neurodivergent young people as well providing training to all CAMHS teams on how to make their work with young people more neuro affirming.

Environment

We have started to make changes to the physical environment within our buildings to make them a more comfortable place for our neurodivergent young people.

What is neurodivergence?

Neurodivergence celebrates that everyone has a natural difference in thinking, learning and interactions with the world- these differences are a normal part of being a human and we all have different strengths that we bring to the world, no two brains are the same. It refers to a natural variation in a human’s brain function and behaviours, including differences such as ADHD and Autism.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) lists several conditions under ‘neurodevelopmental disorders’ that are typically considered to be those differences in neurological development with onset before the age of 18. Many people may not be aware that they have these differences or may have an awareness but be anxious about disclosing due to societal stigma.

These differences are important to society because it brings unique strengths and abilities, such as creative problem solving or deep focus to enrich our world.

What is neurotypical?

Someone who is not neurodivergent is often referred to as ‘neurotypical’. A neurotypical brain’s functions, behaviours and processing are considered standard or aligned with societal expectations. A person who is ‘neurodivergent’ has a brain that is different to the ‘typical’ brain.

The National Autistic Society have lots of information on autism and neurodiversity