What might the change in Government mean for the Neurodivergent Community?

In light of the landslide election results, everyone is eager to see the first changes that Keir Starmer will make as the UK's first Labour Prime Minister since 2010. The neurodivergent community, in particular, remains hopeful that this will be a positive change for our community. In this article, we explore Labours' proposed policies surrounding Neurodivergence.

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What are the Current Challenges faced by the Neurodivergent Community?

Diagnosis

Over the past 14 years, discussions around neurodiversity have surged, with more people seeking diagnoses. At present, The NHS waiting lists for ADHD and autism diagnoses exceed two years in some areas, leaving many without timely support.

The Nuffield Trust estimates there are 1.2 million people with autism and 2.2 million with ADHD, with many more waiting for diagnoses (and some not seeking them due to various barriers or personal reasons). This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policy changes and increased funding to address these challenges and improve the lives of neurodivergent individuals.

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Policy Surrounding Neurodiversity at Work

The Tory government’s existing Autism Strategy places no obligation on employers to ensure workplaces are accessible for neurodiverse individuals. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions shows that autistic people face the largest pay gap of all disability groups.?

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Cost of Living and Budget Cuts

The aforementioned disparities are exacerbated by the rising cost of living, placing additional strain on parents and carers of neurodivergent children. Funding and budget cuts have taken place across the board. This has negatively impacted SEND services, and Council/local borough initiatives aimed at supporting neurodivergent children, adults, and families.?

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Looking to the Future

We took a look at the policies proposed by the Labour Party which address concerns, threats, and injustices currently being faced by the Neurodivergent community. Below is a summary of these policies:?

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Labour Party Policies to Challenge Discrimination and Inequality

Diagnosis/Identification and Support:

• Ensure timely, universal access to diagnostic services for neurodivergent conditions, inclusive of all genders.
• Provide adequate support post-diagnosis, including coaching from neurodivergent individuals.

Independent Living, Services, and Welfare:

• Halt and reverse cuts, expanding services.
• Resource local governments for service provision.
• Enforce Autism Act requirements with inclusive decision-making forums.
• Abolish Work Capability Assessments and ensure adequate benefits.
• Restore the NHS and reverse privatisation for equal health and social care.
• Offer accountable, localised care and necessary social housing.
• Secure tenancies and protect private renters.
• Consider neurodiversity in domestic violence services and train public service staff.
• Recognise autism service dogs as assistance dogs.

Education:

• Fund and maintain publicly-run schools with smaller class sizes.
• Implement diverse teaching methods and neurodiversity training for educators.
• Ensure support for neurodivergent students and maintain Education and Health Care Plans.
• Integrate neurodiversity education into the curriculum and support mental health for teenagers.

Work:

• Require employers to adopt neurodiversity policies and training.
• Make job applications and interviews accessible and supportive.
• Replace Work Capability Assessments with Workplace Accessibility Assessments.
• Pursue full employment with secure jobs and remove the Access to Work cap.
• Restore Remploy for disabled employment and extend anti-discrimination laws to volunteers.
• Support self-employed neurodivergent individuals.

Prejudice and Discrimination:

• Apply Universal Design principles for accessibility.
• Tackle bullying and hate crime with accurate statistics and legal recognition.
• Regulate treatments for neurodivergent individuals and legislate against harmful 'cures'.
• Investigate and address concerns about interventionist therapies.

Justice System:

• Review the justice system for accessibility.
• Train justice staff in neurodiversity.
• Decriminalise non-harmful unusual behaviours and support affected individuals.
• Provide support for neurodivergent offenders.
• Restore Legal Aid and eliminate Employment Tribunal charges.

Legal Protections:

• Add 'neurological status/condition/divergence' as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.
• Strengthen and extend the Public Sector Equality Duty to the private sector.
• Expand the Autism Act with employer obligations.

Understanding and Awareness:

• Implement neurodiversity education and training across various sectors.
• Launch a public awareness campaign and increase research funding focused on neurodivergent needs.
• Ensure new policies consider the neurodiverse population's impact.

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Whilst it is still early days, as a community we remain optimistic that this change will move us in a positive direction towards neuro-inclusion based on the above policies. If Labour can deliver on these promises, this could be a significant moment of change for our community, and we are excited to see what happens next.?

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Jobseekers - Are you a Neurodivergent individual who has been affected by any of the challenges outlined in this article? Explore our free resources designed to help you navigate your career journey, or reach out to us at [email protected] to set up a call with one of our Neurodiversity experts.

Employers - Are you an organisation looking to achieve Neuro-inclusion? Explore our workshops or reach out to us at [email protected] to seek advice from one of our in-house experts with lived experience of Neurodiversity.?