New project will explore needs of young people with autism and neurodevelopment differences

A PROJECT is about to get underway which aims to explore the needs of children and young people with autism and neurodevelopmental differences in Shetland.

Charis Scott, a children’s occupational therapist from NHS Shetland, will work with children, young people and their families on the project which will run until April next year.

She is being funded by the NHS Education for Scotland Allied Health Professions Careers Fellowship Scheme.

The project was initially delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people by working together with them, their families and carers to clearly identify what the need is in Shetland and then design solutions,” Scott said.

“If we can work in partnership with as many families as possible on what their experiences and needs are, we can better identify exactly what resources should be made available and then ensure these are accessible to everyone involved, including support agencies.”

Scott is currently looking for children, young people and their families to have their say on how this project will be delivered in their community.

She wants to include children and young people with neurodevelopmental differences in this project.

These include children and young people with learning difficulties, motor coordination difficulties, speech and language difficulties and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

“This is a project that should have been underway already but which was delayed by the onset of Covid-19,” the occupational therapist said.

“We have now worked out how it can move forward and we are eager to get started. With technological support much of the communication and information gathering will be done using virtual tools.”

If you are interested in talking to Charis Scott contact her by email on charis.scott@nhs.net