What is the Neurodevelopmental Pathway? 

In East Lothian, the process for identifying Neurodevelopmental Conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Learning/ Intellectual Disability, Developmental Coordination Disorder, FASD and Developmental Language Disorder is through the Neurodevelopmental Pathway. 

A Neurodevelopmental (ND) Pathway is the name for the series of steps that are followed when a child or young person is being assessed for a neurodevelopmental condition. The aim of this pathway is to assess and identify the most appropriate support a child and family need. 

In East Lothian, our Neurodevelopmental Pathway is a holistic assessment of a child/ young person's needs which includes overlap of neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism and ADHD.  Our approach reduces the need for a family to explain their story repeatedly. Children/ young people only sit on one ND waiting list.

This is the pathway to decide if assessment is required. Follow this link for the RfA form and further information. (Insert button as on Support Services page?)  https://sites.google.com/edubuzz.org/girfecineastlothian/neurodiversity 

The Single Point of Access (SPA) can also identify potential supports to help families and the child/ young person. You do not need to wait for a diagnosis to get further support through an Education setting or the SPA.  Further Information can be found here https://sites.google.com/edubuzz.org/mhwb-information-point/new-single-point-of-access 

Important: School Role in ND Assessment Requests 

• When parents, carers or young people are seeking an ND assessment the ND RFA form can be completed and sent in by any key professional e.g. GP, Teacher, Health Visitor and other health professionals. 

There is no requirement for school staff to fulfil this role.

• When an ND RFA is made and educational information is required, if the child or young person is at an additional or targeted level the current Child Planning Framework paperwork will provide the educational contribution to the process.

• When children and young people are at a universal level school staff should advise parents, carers and/or young people of this. Parents, carers and young people can submit any available paperwork from this stage in the process e.g. Child / Young Person's (C/YP) Minute and Action Plan, Wellbeing Concern Forms etc. It should be noted that universal level support does not align with evidence of a significant impact on day-to-day functioning in school.