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<\/a><\/p>\nAs Mindroom marks 25 years of championing neurodivergent children, young people, and adults in the workplace, new data exposes a sharp rise in need across the UK, and a system struggling to cope.<\/strong><\/p>\n Over the past five years, demand for Mindroom\u2019s support has soared by nearly 300%<\/strong>, with families waiting years for assessments, children missing school due to unmet needs, and parents describing a system \u201cat breaking point.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The charity\u2019s latest Impact Report <\/a>also shows a 62% rise<\/strong> in families seeking mental health support, a 240% increase <\/strong>in training for professionals, and 93% of young people<\/strong> saying they felt more confident after working with Mindroom \u2013 proof of both surging need and transformative impact.<\/p>\n \u201cEverywhere we look \u2013 classrooms, GP surgeries, workplaces, kitchen tables \u2013 the pressure is mounting,\u201d said Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Mindroom<\/strong>. <\/p>\n \u201cEvery week, more families come to us saying they simply can\u2019t navigate the system alone. The good news is that public understanding of neurodiversity has grown hugely. The question now is whether our institutions can keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n This comes amid a worsening national picture. A Scottish Parliament report (June 2025) * described a \u201cconcerning picture\u201d of neurodivergent care in Scotland, with over 42,000 children and 23,000 adults now waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments, signalling increases of over 500% and 2,200% respectively since 2020. <\/p>\n Some families face waits of up to <\/strong>three and a half years, while in England, reports show children waiting more than four years for an ADHD or autism diagnosis.<\/p>\n Mindroom\u2019s 2024 Impact Report shows the charity handled 25,499 direct contacts on behalf of children and young people last year alone, providing vital one-to-one support and advocacy for families in crisis. <\/strong><\/p>\n At the same time, its training and consultancy arm grew by 160%<\/strong>, equipping professionals in education, health, and business to create \u201cneuroinclusive communities. But despite this progress, the gap between awareness and action remains wide. <\/p>\n A 2024 national workplace report** found that over half of neurodivergent employees had taken time off due to inadequate support or lack of reasonable adjustments. While neuroinclusion is rising up the corporate agenda, too many workplaces still fall short on psychological safety and practical understanding.<\/p>\n To mark its 25th anniversary, Mindroom is launching new initiatives to expand neuroinclusive practice from classrooms to boardrooms and, over the past three years, the charity has trained more than 10,000 people <\/strong>across sectors, a foundation it now plans to build on through national partnerships, policy advocacy, and expanded training.<\/p>\n \u201cBehind every statistic is a person: a child finally getting the right support in school, a parent who no longer feels alone, or a workplace learning to value difference,\u201d Alan Thornburrow added. \u201cThat\u2019s what keeps us going.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWith neurodiversity finally gaining visibility in public life \u2013 from government policy to entertainment \u2013 we have a once-in-a-generation chance to turn awareness into action. Neurodivergent young people are not a side issue; they are the future workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n Founded in 2000 and inspired by the lived experience of Robin and Sophie Dow and their daughter Annie, Mindroom began as a small Edinburgh charity and now supports thousands of families every year. Its mission \u2013 to build a society that champions every kind of mind \u2013 is more relevant than ever.<\/p>\n To download the latest Impact Report created by Mindroom (2024), please visit: 2024 Impact Report<\/a><\/p>\n For more information or to access Mindroom\u2019s 2024 Impact Report, visit: https:\/\/www.mindroom.org<\/a><\/p>\n * Neurodevelopmental Pathways and Waiting Times in Scotland<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n