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The Neurodivergent Needs Analysis

The Neurodivergent Needs Analysis

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What's the process for the Neurodivergent Needs Analysis for children who go to school or an education setting?

When completing a Neurodivergent Needs Analysis, parents/carers will meet with their child’s education setting. This could be with a teacher, teaching assistant, the SENCO, pastoral staff or another appropriate staff member. For children not attending school, this will be carried out by a health professional, from a range of professions.

Your child//young person, if appropriate, may be invited to be present – or there may be other ways that they can contribute e.g. written format, voice notes, a 1:1 conversation before with a trusted adult.

During the conversation, you will have an in-depth discussion around 9 areas of need, identifying where your child may have needs, strengths or be developing as expected.

This will then support yourself and school / the health professional to come up with strategies / support to be put in place at home and (if your child attends school) at school. You will then agree to a date to review this. Timings will depend on each child but could range between 1 month to 6 months – dependant on the child’s needs and what actions are being put in place.

Our Neurodiversity Support Team are available to support schools, where they may want to discuss specific children or specific areas of need. We encourage health and education professionals to suggest clear actions that can be put in place to meet your child’s needs. However, there may also be times where referrals to specialist services are identified as appropriate.

What’s the process for a Neurodivergent Needs Analysis for children who are home-educated or not in an education setting

Families of children who are home-educated or not currently registered at an education setting, can complete a Neurodivergent Needs Analysis with the Neurodiversity Support Team. Complete the referral form (available below) and send this to sirona.nst@nhs.net. We aim to respond within 5 working days.

  • After we receive your referral form, we will contact you to arrange an appointment.
  • We will ask how your child or young person would like to be involved in the needs analysis. Where possible, it is important that we hear from them directly.
  • Before the appointment, we will send you some information that may be helpful to read. This can include:
    • A copy of the Neurodivergent Needs Analysis template.
    • Observation tables to help you start thinking about your child’s strengths and areas where they may need support.

The focus of the appointment will be completing a Neurodivergent Needs Analysis. This is not an assessment. It is a discussion about your child’s strengths and needs.

  • One of our practitioners will complete the needs analysis with you and help identify whether your child or young person has particular strengths or needs in each area.
  • You will then work together to create an action plan. This will include actions that you and your child or young person can try at home and may include suggestions for other professionals who work with your child or young person.
  • You and the practitioner can discuss any specialist referrals if needed. However, the main focus will be providing information, directing you to relevant services and support, and identifying practical actions for your family. This is all aimed at helping you understand and meet your child or young person’s needs.
  • After the appointment, we will send you a copy of the Needs Analysis, along with any resources that may be helpful. It will then be up to you, your family, and any professionals working with you to put the support into place. If appropriate, we will arrange a follow-up appointment at a later date to review your child or young person’s needs and support.