News New resource launched to support innovators to include neurodivergent children and young people in design 9 June 2026 Share Share on Linkedin Share on X Share via email News Mental health & neurodiversity Patients and public Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex (Health Innovation KSS) has launched a new resource exploring how including neurodivergent children and young people with lived experience can support exploration, development and evaluation of digital tools for mental health. Due to current high demand for mental health services and neurodevelopmental diagnostic pathways, innovation in digital mental health tools, diagnostic and treatment platforms and service provision is imperative for supporting children and young people with diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodivergent conditions. Many young people face long NHS waiting lists for diagnosis, difficulty accessing medication and limited follow-up therapeutic and management for conditions like ADHD and Autism, with emerging digital innovations helping to close the gap of provision. User-led design When designing tools, platforms and pathways, developers creating digital innovations may be unaware that services are difficult to use or do not meet needs of neurodivergent young people. Involving children and young people in the process of shaping innovation through user‑centred design contributes to creating products that reduce inequality, becoming more inclusive, supportive, and effective. New resource: Connecting with neurodivergent young people through user-centred design Funded by the Office for Life Sciences and developed by Health Innovation KSS, this new resource focuses on strengthening how neurodivergent children and young people are meaningfully involved in shaping innovation through user-centred design. The resource brings together core concepts in user-centred design, examples of user-centred design in innovation, and the perspectives of neurodivergent young people with lived experience, to provide a guide to implementing these ideas in practice. “User-centred design is important because it involves young people and their opinions about how to make the project best for the targeted aims.” – Young partner The resource outlines a set of key principles for involving neurodivergent young people in innovation and design, which was guided by valuable insights from youth partners at Surrey County Council. Becca Randell, Associate Director – Translational Research, and Elinor Jones, Translational Research Assistant at Health Innovation KSS, facilitated a workshop, where examples of user-centred design were discussed and young people shared their experiences of involvement in design, including what supports meaningful participation in design looks like. Their insights, alongside discussions with innovators and academics, collectively informed the‑development of the principles, tools and checklist included in this resource. “We are excited to launch our user-centred design guide to encourage and provide practical advice for developing inclusive, accessible and trauma-informed engagement with neurodivergent young people. We are grateful for the contributions of the young partners and innovators who helped develop this guidance.” – Becca Randell, Associate Director – Translational Research Download resource here If you’re an innovator wanting to work with people and communities, find out more here Community of Practice Alongside the resource, we are developing a Community of Practice focused on user‑centred design and child mental health, bringing together those with expertise in engaging service users in design can share learning, develop ideas and support meaningful involvement. If you are interested in joining or finding out more, please get in touch – we would welcome your involvement.