Centre for Mental Health and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, in partnership with University of York, are hosting a webinar to mark the launch of our briefing Strengths-based support for neurodivergent children and young people.
Date: Monday 14 September 2026
Time: 12pm-1pm
Delivered: Virtually on Microsoft Teams
This webinar will share key findings from our briefing, which explores how adapted, sensory-informed and strengths-based approaches can improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for neurodivergent children and young people.
Evidence highlighted in the briefing suggests that many commonly used mental health interventions can be difficult for neurodivergent children and young people to engage with. The report explores approaches that build on strengths and interests, including sensory-informed and play-based methods, and calls for support to be framed as a reasonable adjustment rather than as treatment of difference.
The webinar will share key findings from the briefing and explore the implications for policy and practice. Speakers will discuss:
- The mental health challenges experienced by neurodivergent children and young people
- Why existing support models do not always meet their needs
- The role of strengths-based, sensory-informed and play-based approaches
- How services and schools can better adapt to communication and sensory needs
- Opportunities to reduce mental health inequalities and improve outcomes.
There will also be a Q&A discussion with questions from the audience.
This webinar will be of particular interest to professionals working in education, children’s services, mental health services, SEND provision, the voluntary sector, research and policymaking.
Please share this event with colleagues and networks working to improve mental health support for neurodivergent children and young people.
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