A SCOTTISH charity is aiming to become the national centre for neurodiversity to support people with a wide variety of conditions.
One in seven people in the UK – more than 15% – are now classed as neurodivergent, with conditions such as autism spectrum, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s and social anxiety. In order to support them, the Donaldson Trust is aiming to expand its footprint across Scotland as well as improve the services it offers.
The trust, headquartered in Linlithgow, has set out its aims in a 10-year strategy which launches today in conjunction with a new brand identity.
One of the trust’s priorities is to spread the understanding that being neurodivergent means that an individual’s brain is wired differently and that they may think and learn in a different way to others.
For some people, their neurodiversity can mean that they are better at some things than the average person and for others additional support or adjustments are required.
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The launching of the strategy marks a new chapter for the trust, which was established in 1850 as a hospital for destitute children.
It developed into a school supporting deaf and hearing-impaired children and young people in Edinburgh. And in recent years the trust has grown to provide educational services for children with complex additional support needs and transitional support services for young people with neurodiversities.
Chief executive Laura Watkins said: “Today marks an exciting new chapter in the Donaldson Trust history, as we set out our aims to support and advocate with and for people with neurodiversities at a national level.
“Our 10-year strategy ensures that the trust extends its reach to a wider group of people across Scotland by providing a range of services that promote and support the needs of neurodivergent individuals.”
The trust works in collaboration with individuals, partnerships and businesses to develop services and increase knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity to improve the experiences of neurodivergent people across Scotland.
It hopes to ensure the voices of neurodivergent individuals are at the forefront of driving change in policy and practice through its work with individuals, partners and the Scottish Government, in order to make sure neurodiversity is incorporated into educational policy and workplace practice.
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Watkins continued: “As Scotland’s leading charity for neurodiversity we will promote and develop good practice related to neurodiversity within education services, organisations and businesses. We will work in collaboration with partners to improve accessibility and inclusivity for neurodivergent people, and through our work with neurodivergent individuals will improve the representation of neurodiversity socially, politically and culturally.
“Through the implementation of our ambitious strategy we will continue to grow a community of partners and partnerships that support neurodiversity throughout Scotland. Our strategy will ensure the Donaldson Trust is known and respected as the national centre for neurodiversity in Scotland by 2030.”
The trust’s Learning Centre currently supports young people with complex additional support needs up to the age of 18, providing tailored educational services to meet the individual needs of each pupil, as one of seven grant-aided special schools.
The trust has also established Connect, a service which provides individual and team support tailored to specific and organisational needs to support neurodivergent people in the workplace, in education establishments and within the community.
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