What is neurodiversity? 

Neurodiversity describes the natural variation in how people think, learn, process information and experience the world, including neurotypical and neurodivergent people. Neurodivergence is an umbrella term for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other forms of cognitive difference. Importantly, neurodivergence is by no means a niche issue affecting only a small minority - estimates suggest that around 15% to 20% of people may be neurodivergent.^₁ As neurodiversity encompasses both neurodivergent and neurotypical people, celebrating neurodiversity acknowledges all ways of thinking and experiencing the world as valid and valuable.² 

Just as importantly, neurodivergent people are not a single group with a single set of needs or strengths. Presentation, communication style, sensory experience, support requirements and strengths like creativity, pattern-recognition, hyper-focus and attention to detail can vary hugely from person to person, and many people may be undiagnosed or not immediately visible to systems around them.  

Designing inclusive public services 

The UK has recognised the need for a more joined-up response to neurodiversity, particularly in relation to autism, ADHD and learning disability. NHS England has highlighted ongoing health inequalities for autistic people and people with a learning disability, alongside significant variation in access to assessment and support.³  

Common challenges include long waiting times for autism and ADHD assessment, pressure on local services, inconsistent support before or after diagnosis, and too many autistic people still receiving care in settings that are not right for them.⁴ 

At The PSC, we have supported a number of integrated care systems on work connected to neurodiversity, particularly where better design, better data and better inclusion can improve support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities.  

In Surrey Heartlands, for example, we worked with the Integrated Care System to build a digital roadmap highlighting priority digital initiatives for further investment for people with Learning Disabilities and Autism (LD&A). Our approach foregrounded lived experience involvement, working with a range of local advocacy groups to hold focus groups and 1:1 engagements with people with LD&A. We then combined this with input from clinical and policy stakeholders from across the system to develop a three-year investment roadmap – visit our case study to read more about the project.  

Through projects like these, we’ve sought to refine our approach to lived experience involvement with autistic people. Our projects prioritise: 

• Offering a range of options for engagement – group and individual; in-person and online - to acknowledge diversity among autistic people and maximise inclusiveness 
• Embedding lived experience involvement throughout a programme, rather than relying on one-off engagement, to help autistic service users feel like equal partners in service design 
• Working closely with existing advocacy organisations in the region to support recruitment and provide highly localised expertise. 

Ensuring truly meaningful involvement of service users is crucial to avoid stereotyping and to understand the diverse range of needs and preferences among autistic people or neurodivergent people more generally, and to design truly equitable, inclusive public services. 

The PSC is a consultancy dedicated to making public services brilliant. We work with leaders across public services on their most difficult challenges, including designing effective, inclusive autism support services. To find out more, get in touch with us at hello@thepsc.co.uk. 

Sources:  

1. CIPD, 2024. Neuroinclusion at work. 
2. ACAS, 2025. Neurodiversity at work.  
3. NHS England, no date. Learning disability and autism: our work.  
4. Department of Health and Social Care, 2025. Review launched into mental health, autism and ADHD services.