Community of Practice: Innovation needs on neurodiversity pathways for children and young people 

The South West and West of England Academic Health Science Network are delighted to hold the fifth regional Community of Practice: Innovation needs on neurodiversity pathways for children and young people (CYP).

This meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 January 2023, 12.00-1.30pm on Microsoft Teams. Sign up here to receive your joining link.

The objective of the CoP is to establish a cross regional, supportive network to share challenges, experiences and best practice on areas for innovation on the neurodevelopment/neurodiversity pathways as directed by the network. It’s an opportunity to share and learn with regional colleagues such as commissioners, service leads and clinicians.

Attendees will have the chance to hear Dr. Asha Gowda (Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist) introduce the Neurodiversity (ND) Profiling Tool developed in Portsmouth which helps identify neurodiversity within children and young people. The ND Profiling Tool assesses nine developmental strands of a child or young person, providing a holistic view of their individual needs and suggesting strategies that can be put in place to help manage those needs in different areas of their life. Asha will present an overview of the tool and its development, plus she will share the findings of a pilot study conducted with 51 families in Portsmouth from March 2021 to April 2022. There will also be the chance for attendees to join in a larger discussion on other assessment and profiling tools that are being used by services across the South West and West of England.

Agenda

12pm – 1.30pm (Core items 12 – 1pm with optional time for extended discussion until 1.30pm)

Co-chaired by regional consultant community pediatrician clinical leads:

• Heather Jarvis (University Hospitals Trust Plymouth)
• Lisa Teoh (Torbay And South Devon NHS Foundation Trust)

1. Chair introductions: Welcome
2. Presentation
   • Introduction to the Portsmouth Neurodiversity Profiling Tool by Dr. Asha Gowda
   • Q&A
3. Discussion: 
   • What other tools for profiling and assessment are services using successfully?
   • What is good about them?
   • Have there been any challenges?
4. Next steps
   • Next chair and meeting topics
5. Close 

We hope you can join us on the day!