There has been increased focus on neurodivergence and mental health in recent years, with the number of individuals on CAMHS waiting lists rapidly accelerating over the last decade. One path forward is to use earlier signals to identify those at greater risk of being diagnosed with, for example, autism later in life so that individuals can be picked up earlier and receive the support they need. One paper focussed on whether the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP), conducted statutorily in England across all Reception year pupils, could predict those at greater risk of later being diagnosed with autism (Wright et al, 2019, 10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000483). The aim of this project is to conduct a conceptual replication of the work to understand whether ADHD can similarly be picked up through EYFSP outcomes. This will involve visualising the trends in ADHD diagnoses and EYFSP scores over time and assessing the relationship between the two variables. This will contribute to identifying early-life factors that can be used by local councils or schools to pick up individuals who need additional support.
17/07/2024
1 year
