Neurodivergence

This section of Herefordshire's SEND Local Offer focuses on children and neurodivergent conditions such as Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

It provides information and advice about neurodivergence for families and professionals.

You will also find links to other relevant areas of our website and links to external sources of useful information.

Terms and definitions

There are lots of terms used in this area which can be confusing. These are some of the terms used in the Local Offer information and their meaning:

Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity refers to the variation in the way that all human brains work.

Neurodivergent

Neurodivergent means that the brain functions, learns and processes information differently. A neurodivergent person is someone whose brain handles information in a way that is not typical of most people. It's estimated that around 1 in 7 in the UK have some kind of neurodivergence.

The most common types of neurodivergence are:

• Autism
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dyspraxia or Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)

Other examples of how the brain processes information differently and, therefore, are considered to come under the neurodivergence umbrella are:

• Dysgraphia
• Tourette's syndrome
• Misophonia
• Executive dysfunction or cognitive functioning difficulties

Some people will have more than one type of neurodivergence, which can often co-occur and overlap.

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System have produced a short video explaining more.