Neurodivergent Needs Analysis (NNA)

Parent CarersSGPC
Written By Jenny Thompson

What families in South Gloucestershire need to know

From September 2026, you may start to hear schools talk about Neurodivergent Needs Analysis (NNA).  Schools and education settings will be receiving training on how to complete an NNA. This will take time to roll out to all schools across South Glos, which means settings will start using the NNA approach at different times during this bedding in phase.  

We know this is a new approach, and you may be wondering what it means for your child and family. 

So, what is it?

The NNA is a structured conversation that considers nine areas of development to build a shared understanding of your child or young person's strengths, support needs and how they learn and experience the world around them. It brings together information from parents and carers, education staff and, wherever possible, the child or young person themselves. 

It looks at:  

  •  Cognitive abilities 

  • Speech and language 

  • Energy levels 

  • Attention and impulse control 

  • Emotional regulation 

  • Motor skills 

  • Sensory responses 

  • Flexibility and adaptability 

  • Social communication and friendships 

Find out more about each of these nine areas here

The aim is to help families, schools and services work together to identify and put support in place as early as possible, rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis before support begins.  

Why is this being introduced?

The aim of the NNA is to help children and young people receive the right support as early as possible.

It is intended to: 

  • help schools and families understand needs in a shared way 

  • make support more consistent 

  • make it clearer what help is needed 

  • ensure support is based on identified needs, rather than relying solely on a diagnostic label 

The most important things to know are that the NNA:

  •  is not a test 

  • is not a diagnosis 

  • does not replace an assessment  

Completing the NNA does not affect your right to request an assessment. You can still ask for an autism or ADHD assessment (either through local NHS services or via Right to Choose where appropriate). The aim of the NNA is to develop a shared understanding of your child or young person's needs and identify the support that may help.     

For more information about Right to Choose in our area, see our Right to Choose resource

Who will complete the NNA?

If your child is in school, the school will usually complete it. Schools will identify trained members of staff to complete the NNA with families. If your child is not in school, a member of the Neurodiversity Support Team will do this.  

The views of parents and carers, the child or young person (where appropriate), and the school are all intended to contribute to building a shared understanding of need.

What happens after?

The school or Neurodiversity Support Team will develop a shared understanding of your child's strengths, needs and the support that may help. This will help them decide: • what support your child needs • what changes in school or at home might help  

For some families, the NNA may feel sufficient to help them understand and support their child or young person’s needs. For others, a diagnostic assessment may still be needed. Where appropriate, the information gathered through the NNA can be used to support a referral. 

We’re Listening:

As this is a new approach, we'd really like to hear about your family's experience. Your feedback will help us understand what's working well and where families may need further support or information. [link to listening form] 

Listening Form

Further information:

For more information about this approach, please visit the links below:  

For general support, visit our Get Support page

 

Changes to Autism and ADHD support in South Glos – 16th September 2026 7pm

Join Sirona Care and Health to learn about changes to the local Autism and ADHD pathways and waiting lists. 

We will explain what is changing, what it means for families and how children and young people will be able to access support earlier. 

Book Your Spot

 

July 2026

Jenny Thompson
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