Neurodiversity & Health

Health professionals play a vital role in ensuring neurodivergent people can access high-quality, equitable care throughout their lives. This course explores the relationship between neurodiversity and health, equipping participants with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver more accessible, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed care across physical and mental health services.

Through critical exploration of the neurodiversity paradigm, legislation and co-production, participants will examine how health services can better meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals. The course supports the development of practical resources and service improvements that enhance care quality, accessibility and professional practice across a range of healthcare settings.

To view the module descriptor (HLTH11006), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals involved in delivering, developing or improving physical and mental health services for neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Health professionals seeking to provide more accessible, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed care
• Professionals involved in assessing, planning or delivering physical and mental healthcare for neurodivergent people
• Those responsible for improving the quality, accessibility and inclusivity of health services
• Practitioners developing patient information, professional resources or service improvements to better meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals
• Professionals interested in applying co-production principles to improve health outcomes and experiences for neurodivergent people

 

Why take this course?

Health services are increasingly recognising the importance of providing equitable, accessible and person-centred care for neurodivergent individuals. This requires professionals to understand how neurodiversity intersects with physical and mental health, while adopting approaches that promote inclusion, reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

This course helps you strengthen your practice by exploring the implications of the neurodiversity paradigm for healthcare, alongside current legislation, trauma-informed practice and neuro-affirming approaches. Through a focus on co-production and service improvement, you will develop the knowledge and practical insight to enhance the accessibility, quality and responsiveness of health services for neurodivergent individuals.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Evaluate how the neurodiversity paradigm influences healthcare access, quality of care and evidence-informed practice
• Apply an informed understanding of how neurodivergence intersects with physical and mental health across the lifespan
• Develop practical resources that support neuro-affirming, trauma-informed care and improve the accessibility of health services for neurodivergent individuals
• Create clear, accessible health information that empowers neurodivergent people to make informed decisions about their care
• Identify opportunities to use co-production to improve service design, enhance patient experiences and better meet the health needs of neurodivergent individuals

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online, providing the flexibility to study alongside your professional and personal commitments. Learning takes place through the University's virtual learning environment and combines self-directed study, interactive online learning activities and weekly live online tutorials that support discussion, reflection and application to professional practice.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including 18 hours of live tutorial support, 62 hours of asynchronous online learning activities, 6 hours of personal development planning, and around 114 hours of independent study. Throughout the course, you will engage with current evidence, collaborate with peers through online activities and apply your learning to real-world healthcare contexts.

This flexible learning approach enables you to build advanced professional knowledge while balancing postgraduate study with the demands of your workplace.

 

Course content

• Understanding neurodiversity and health

Explore how neurodiversity intersects with physical and mental health across the lifespan, considering the influence of developmental stage, gender and neurotype on health experiences and outcomes.

• Advancing neuro-affirming healthcare

Examine the principles of neuro-affirming and trauma-informed care, developing approaches that improve the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of health services.

• Improving access and reducing inequalities

Consider the barriers neurodivergent individuals may experience when accessing healthcare and explore evidence-informed strategies to create more inclusive, equitable services.

• Applying legislation and professional guidance

Develop your understanding of the legislative and regulatory frameworks that support inclusive, person-centred care and inform professional decision-making.

• Co-producing better services

Explore how meaningful co-production with neurodivergent individuals can inform service development, improve patient resources and strengthen healthcare experiences.

• Creating practical resources for practice

Apply your learning to develop accessible resources and service improvements that support neurodivergent individuals and enhance professional practice across health settings.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you translate contemporary evidence into practical improvements that enhance healthcare experiences for neurodivergent individuals.

You will complete two complementary assessments that focus on developing resources for different audiences. First, you will create an informational poster for health professionals that promotes neuro-affirming, trauma-informed practice and supports more accessible, inclusive care. You will then design an education pack for neurodivergent individuals, applying your learning to produce clear, practical resources that improve understanding, accessibility and the quality of care.

Together, these assessments develop your ability to communicate complex information effectively, apply evidence to professional practice and contribute to service improvements that better meet the physical and mental health needs of neurodivergent individuals.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply neuro-affirming and trauma-informed approaches to your own professional practice
• Critically reflect on how healthcare services can become more accessible, inclusive and responsive to the needs of neurodivergent individuals
• Develop practical resources and solutions that support improvements in care quality, communication and service accessibility
• Explore how co-production can inform service development and enhance the experiences of neurodivergent individuals across health settings

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in delivering inclusive, neuro-affirming healthcare across physical and mental health services
• Enhanced capability to develop accessible resources that support both healthcare professionals and neurodivergent individuals
• Practical skills to improve the quality, accessibility and appropriateness of health services through evidence-informed practice
• A stronger ability to influence service development through co-production, helping to create healthcare environments that better meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals who want to enhance their understanding of neurodiversity and improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare for neurodivergent individuals.

As this is an SCQF Level 11 course, participants should be prepared to study at postgraduate level. The module descriptor does not specify formal academic prerequisites, making it suitable for experienced professionals seeking to develop advanced knowledge and strengthen their professional practice.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations. This module is part of our MSc Neurodiversity.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Health services are increasingly recognising the need to provide equitable, accessible and neuro-affirming care that reflects the diverse needs of neurodivergent individuals. This course aligns with contemporary professional practice by exploring evidence-informed approaches to improving healthcare access, service quality, trauma-informed care and co-production.

Participants will develop the capability to influence service development, create more inclusive healthcare resources and support organisational improvements that enhance the experiences and outcomes of neurodivergent individuals across physical and mental health services.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.