The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee wants to understand more about the challenges facing neurodivergent people, and the support that is available for neurodivergent people in Scotland.
A neurodivergent person processes information in a different way from what might be considered typical.
Neurodivergent conditions can include:
The Committee plans to focus on the experience of neurodivergent people in the following areas:
It will hear from a range of organisations that provide advocacy, support and services to neurodivergent people.
In 2024, the Scottish Government decided to delay the introduction of a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
The Committee took evidence from stakeholders and the Minister to find out more about the impact of the decision and what could be achieved in absence of the Bill.
The Committee also heard from Autistic Disabled People’s Organisations as part of an informal session in 2025. Members were concerned to hear of the significant challenges faced by autistic disabled people in areas such as work, schooling, the justice system and the health sector. The Committee agreed to hold this inquiry as result of those evidence sessions.
The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee undertook the following engagement activities as part of its inquiry:
Notes from external engagement visit, Salvesen Mindroom Centre, 27 January 2026 (147KB, pdf) posted 02 March 2026
Notes from online engagement session, breakout group 1, 9 February 2026 (157KB, pdf) posted 02 March 2026
Notes from online engagement session, breakout group 2, 9 February 2026 (121KB, pdf) posted 02 March 2026
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:
Written submission on The Royal College of Psychiatrists Paper from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 3 March 2026
Written submission from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, Plea to the Committee, 3 March 2026
Written submission on Ministerial evidence session from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 3 March 2026
Letter from COSLA further to 10 February evidence session, 2 March 2026
Written submission on Accountability and Section 70 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 26 February 2026
Written submission on Development of Education Policy and Neurodivergence from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 26 February 2026
Written submission on issues re ADHD care in Scotland from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 23 February 2026
Joint written submission from ASAME, ARGH and SEMA: survey results re education, employment and the criminal justice system, 22 February 2026
Written submission on East Lothian Council and Data Management from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 21 February 2026
Written submission from NASUWT Scotland, 20 February 2026
Written submission on school inspections from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 20 February 2026
Written submission on stigmatising language from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 20 February 2026
Note on terminology from STAND - Stronger Together for Autism and Neurodivergence, 16 February 2026
Written submission from DIFFERabled, 16 February 2026
Written submission from Ross Pantony, 12 February 2026
Written submission from Dyslexia Scotland, 12 February 2026
Written submission from Close the Gap, 30 January 2026