Prioritise inequity of access to neurodevelopmental disorder services
Key messages
Getting help from health services for a child with a neurodevelopmental condition is not easy. Ethnic minority families often face more barriers when seeking support: 1. There is a lack of understandable and culturally adapted information. 2.
The support system is complex.
3.
Communication with professionals can be difficult.
Service providers could provide more: 1. Understandable and culturally adapted information. 2.
Community-based services that respect culture and beliefs.
3.
rofessional development including cultural P competency.
To tackle inequality of access: 1. Design and deliver simpler, equitable pathways. 2.
Improve culturally sensitive and accessible communication.
3.
Implement mandatory cultural competency training.
4.
Enable cross‑sector delivery at system and place level.
5.
Embed community engagement in commissioning.
All children deserve to thrive
Neurodevelopmental disorders can affect how a child thinks, learns, feels, or understands the world. Getting help for a child with a neurodevelopmen‑ tal condition, such as autism (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is difficult. It is emotionally demanding and NHS systems are not easy to navigate. Access to services is unequal. Evidence shows that ethnic minorities lose out the most. This means 1 in 10 children with a neurodevelopmental condition are underserved by the NHS. The cost of racism is extensive, as already highlighted by the Children’s Commissioner . Children grow up fast. Early intervention supports children to thrive and costs the NHS less over their life course. Family life, school life, and future prospects are positively impacted. NHS staff want to be able to provide better care. Let’s start by making changes on the ground.