Recommendation 68

The Committee urges the next administration to respond to this without delay. Early, coordinated and neuro-affirming support is not only a matter of rights, dignity and equality, it is also a matter of social and economic resilience. When needs are met early, children are more likely to remain in education, families are less likely to be pushed into crisis, parents are better able to remain in work, and young people are better supported to move into higher education, training or employment. When support comes too late, the costs are simply displaced elsewhere. For example, in healthcare, with worsening mental and physical wellbeing, family hardship, lost workforce participation and, in some cases, later contact with the criminal justice system. We urge the Scottish Government and the next Administration to work together with the public sector, the third sector and neurodivergent individuals to develop a collaborative response to consider how to ensure we can create a neuro-affirming society where everyone can thrive.