York launches all-age strategy for people with autism and ADHD

City of York Council, in partnership with NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), is set to formally launch A City That Works for All: York’s All-Age Autism and ADHD Strategy 2025–2030, following extensive consultation and co-production with neurodivergent residents, families, professionals, and community organisations.

The five-year strategy sets out a vision for a more-inclusive, supportive, and understanding York, where autistic people and those with ADHD can thrive.

The strategy is a welcome step towards creating a city that celebrates neurodiversity and reaffirms the NHS shared commitment to improving diagnosis and tackling long waiting lists for assessment

It responds to statutory duties under the National Autism Strategy and builds on findings from York’s 2025 Health Needs Assessment, which highlighted significant inequalities in health, access to services, and societal inclusion.

The strategy is built around three key priorities:

• Changing Society for Inclusion– Tackling stigma, promoting neurodiversity awareness, and creating sensory-friendly public spaces
• Making Diagnosis and Assessment Work– Improving clarity, transparency, and access to timely assessments across health and education
• Improving Support in Every Setting– Ensuring services in education, employment, housing, and healthcare meet the needs of neurodivergent people, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis

More than 200 individuals contributed to the strategy through surveys, engagement events, and listening exercises.

The working group included people with lived experience, voluntary sector organisations, and statutory partners.

And feedback highlighted the need for:

• Clear communication from public bodies
• Greater recognition of underdiagnosis in women and girls
• More-visible commitments from primary care
• Greater support with finances, housing, and employment
• Improvements to improve public transport accessibility
• A shift away from tokenistic consultation towards meaningful change

The strategy avoids case studies and quotes, instead presenting a series of ‘We Heard’ and ‘We Will’ statements that reflect the collective voice of York’s neurodivergent community.

Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care, said: “This strategy is a vital step in making York a health-generating city where everyone, including the one in seven neurodiverse residents, can live well.

“We’re committed to turning these words into action.”

Peter Roderick, director of public health, added: “This is a whole-society strategy.

“It’s about improving systems, services, and attitudes so that neurodivergent people are fully included in every aspect of life in York.”

And Michael Ash-McMahon, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) interim place director for York, said: “The strategy is a welcome step towards creating a city that celebrates neurodiversity and reaffirms the NHS shared commitment to improving diagnosis and tackling long waiting lists for assessment.

“We are proud to work alongside City of York Council and our partners to launch this ambitious strategy.

“Our commitment is to ensure that autistic people and those with ADHD have equal access to high-quality health and care, and that their voices shape the services they use.

“By working together, we can break down barriers and create a healthier, more-inclusive York for everyone.”