Extra £3.4m announced to improve neurodevelopmental support in Scotland

An additional £3.4m to improve access to neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and their families has been announced by the Scottish Government.

Social care and mental wellbeing minister Tom Arthur said he is determined to drive “real, meaningful improvements” as he announced the funding on Sunday.

More than £1m of the funding is intended to directly support families, through measures such as providing access to digital support on neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and ADHD.

The Scottish Government said it brings investment in neurodevelopmental supports and services this year to more than £5m.

The funding aims to help provide earlier support for families and ensure people can access help that meets their needs.

Arthur said: “I am determined to drive real, meaningful improvements and deliver the best possible outcomes for neurodivergent people.

“Demand for neurodevelopmental support and diagnosis has increased significantly in recent years, both in Scotland and globally.

“This additional £3.4m will improve the help available to families – providing better information, practical support and access to services in their communities.

“This funding will create the groundwork for additional investment in the future – as proposed in our budget for next year.

“We want to ensure that children, young people and their families can access the support they need, regardless of where they are on their neurodevelopmental journey.

“A diagnosis is just one part of someone’s experience. What matters most is that people get the right support at the right time, and this funding will help make that happen.”

Funding for a range of projects is being made available, including for supplementing health board assessment capacity, particularly for young people approaching transition to adult services.

The Scottish Government said this investment builds on the additional £500,000 funding announced in June 2025, bringing the total additional investment to £3.9m in 2025-26.