Autism and ADHD: Common Problems and Reform

Autism and ADHD: Common Problems and Reform

Recent research suggests that 1 in 35 people in the UK are autistic and the Cafcass annual report for 2022-23 documents that they worked with approximately 14,000 children and young people with recorded conditions or disabilities. This included autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. However, despite these high figures, not all professionals working within this sector have undergone specific training in autism or other neurodivergent conditions, and there is currently no compulsory requirement to do so.

There are many different types of professionals that work within these systems, including social workers, foster carers, contact supervisors, Cafcass guardians, family support workers, lawyers and judges. Whilst professionals in the system are all working with a common goal to keep families together, some can make the mistake of trying to manage cases in the same way they would when working with neurotypical families. This sometimes leads to misplaced parental blame and a neurodivergent individual’s complex and nuanced needs being missed or misunderstood, resulting in poor care planning and decision making. This can cause distress and trauma, exacerbate existing problems and lead to distrust of professionals. 

It is for these reasons we established our specialist team. 

Aside from the dedicated and unique service we provide to our clients, we are also working on securing fundamental changes within the family justice system. In furtherance of this aim, we have formed a cross-firm working group – Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC) whose primary aims are:

• To campaign for compulsory training on neurodivergence for all professionals in the family justice system;
• To develop best practice guidance; and
• To implement systemic and practical changes.

We are incredibly excited about the ground-breaking work we are undertaking in this area, and cannot wait to see the positive impact of this on the children and families we care so strongly about. 

Further Information:

• Family Law Solicitors Specialising in Autism and ADHD
• Your journey with us as a parent or carer
• Your child/young person’s journey with us
• Neurodiversity and Neurodivergent
• Our Specialist Team