1 in 7 children in the UK is neurodivergent. That's not new - it's just being diagnosed now instead of being called "difficult" or "distracted."
But the systems meant to support these kids are broken:
NHS CAMHS waiting lists: 18-24 months for assessment. Families wait years for support.
Schools: Overwhelmed with EHCP applications they can't resource. Teachers managing 30+ kids with minimal additional support.
Local Authority services: Cut to the bone. No capacity.
Where does this pressure go? Downstream to you.
Football becomes the place where these kids can participate, where they get routine and structure, where parents hope coaches will "just understand" what their child needs.
And those parents? They're researching. They know about reasonable adjustments. They know about anticipatory duty. They know the Equality Act applies to sports clubs, not just schools.
You're getting more neurodivergent players. You're getting more informed parents. And you've got volunteer coaches with no training and no system.
