What is the neuro-profiling?
Neuro-profiling is a way of thinking about someone’s strengths, preferences, and areas of need. In GM we have developed a neuro-profiling tool and toolkit to help young people, families and services come together and have a shared way of thinking about needs-led support.
You do not need a formal diagnosis or assessment to access neuro-profiling. You use this tool independently or as part of a wider system meeting such as a Plan Do Review meeting in a school.
It is a way of having a structured conversation between the young person, their family, and the team who support them in health, education and social care.
What is the GM neuro-profiling tool?
The GM neuro-profiling tool covers the following area:
- Emotions, Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Activity, Attention and Impulse Control
- Sensory Preferences
- Motor Skills
- Learning and Learning Style
- Communication Preferences and Social
- Interactions
- Thinking Style
- General Health and Independence Skills
How is the tool completed?
To complete the tool, there should be a meeting with the school and community staff (anyone who knows the child well) and parent/carers. This may take 2 hours. The young person can attend this initial meeting or have their voice captured in a different way. It is essential that the young person’s voice is at the heart of the discussion. There is a separate tool which young people can complete independently if they wish to or they can choose to contribute through a trusted adult in a way that is helpful to them. You can find more information about the Young Person’s tool on the Spectrum Gaming website. Spectrum Gaming have also written a guide for accessing the young persons voice effectively.
As the tool is completed, any areas of need that young person might have at that time will be identified and an action plan will be developed to support these areas. The action plan may involve specific changes to current practice, changes in the environment, referral to other services or review of useful resources and websites. This action plan can become part of the Assess, Plan, Do, Review framework at school or can be a standalone meeting. A follow up meeting can be arranged to review progress.
What will the benefits be of using this tool?
- Completing this tool should lead to a better shared understanding a young person’s neurodivergence
- The tool should lead to a clear action plan for staff supporting the young person’s Neurodivergent needs
- The young person and their family should receive signposting to other resources that could be helpful.
- The tool should help young people recognise their strengths and differences and improve overall wellbeing and completing the tool should ensure their voice is heard.
This tool does not replace the need for referrals to other services such as Educational Psychology or Speech and Language Therapy. It does not need to be completed prior to a referral being made for assessment of Autism and ADHD.
