Developing the primary care psychology service for neurodivergent teenagers and their families

Since June 2022, the primary care services within the Midwest Health Services Area, Ireland, have been tasked with developing support services for teenagers who may be neurodivergent, and have emotional and behavioural or mild to moderate mental health needs, and their families. Minimal resources were provided which has been a challenge but has brought some benefits. Service development has taken a collaborative approach between the clinicians and the families. This has led to flexibility in developing services to meet the key needs identified by families. Some opportunities were provided for upskilling and updating clinical knowledge, but staff have also drawn on existing skills, enabling them to realise that these skills can be applied to supporting young people who might be neurodivergent as well as those who are neurotypical. The disability services, primary care and CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) have worked closely together. There has been an openness to joint working, sharing of skills and resources and this has been the key to service development.