'Neurospicy' MP wants minister for neurodiversity

An MP with ADHD and dyslexia, who describes himself as "neurospicy", is calling for the government to appoint a dedicated minister for neurodiversity.

Liberal Democrat Adam Dance MP, who represents Yeovil, said: "For far too long it has felt like the world has been set up by someone else and neurodiverse people are an afterthought."

He held a parliamentary debate on the proposal on Wednesday and said after "years of terrible policy", many neurodiverse people feel decision-makers "cannot be trusted".

In response, the government said it was "committed to ensuring the right services are available, at the right time, for the right people and our support in that will not waiver".

Dance said about 20% of the population were neurodivergent, but there was no individual working across government to make sure the needs of this group were considered.

He said policy-makers made life "harder not better" for neurodiverse people with conditions including ADHD, autism and dyslexia.

"Sadly what all this means is that you are far more likely to end up in prison or taking your own life if you are neurodivergent. Without the support I had, that would have been me," Dance said.

The MP has previously called for all primary school-aged children to be screened for neurodivergent traits and campaigned with TV chef Jamie Oliver, who has dyslexia, for better support for children with the condition.

Sally Jameson MP, parliamentary secretary in the cabinet office, said the government's upcoming mental health strategy would "set out how we will move towards earlier needs-led support [and] better integration between mental health and neurodevelopmental pathways".

She added: "We want to provide earlier access to information, support and appropriate interventions based on individual needs - while improving timely access to high quality diagnostic assessments when required."

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