Pinball Systems, Snakes and Ladders, or Person-Centered Provision: Creating Inclusive Systems for Young People

This report written by Prof. Amanda Kirby is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about neurodiversity in and REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). 

It is a valuable resource for those who work with or support young people and for anyone looking to create more inclusive and equitable systems.

The report highlights the fact that many neurodivergent youth who have experienced childhood adversity are not receiving the support they need. It calls for a more holistic approach to supporting these young people, one that considers their individual needs and experiences.

The report makes several recommendations for improving services for neurodivergent young people, including:

• Taking a more child-centered approach
• Ensuring cultural understanding sits alongside neurodivergent support
• Training staff on how to support neurodivergent young people
• Mapping adversity and neurodiversity combinations

INTRODUCTION

At least one in three people in the justice setting may be neurodivergent and they often also have several other challenges in their life both past and present. This may include homelessness, having experienced traumatic brain injury, coming from an ethnic minority group, having been in care and or having been excluded.

Combinations of vulnerability will be highly variable but what is consistent is the young person and their family are either having contact with multiple systems and telling their ‘tale’ again and again or being out of systems and ending up being under the radar. We can assume people will know what’s available to them and how to seek help. However, for many people they may also not know there is a system where help is available or know who or how to make contact…

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