To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the assessment process for adults with a suspected dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD diagnosis, not previously diagnosed during their full-time education; and (ii) the support services available for adults diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD.

Details in respect of the process utilised for a dyslexia assessment cannot be provided by my department as this is undertaken as an educational assessment and therefore it is not completed by health and social care professionals.

Dyspraxia assessments are carried out with input from relevant education psychologists.

There are currently no dedicated services for adults with ADHD in Northern Ireland. Health and Social Care Trusts meet the needs of adults with ADHD through generic mental health services. Adults with ADHD symptoms may be referred to Mental Health Services to have their functional symptoms e.g. anxiety, cognitive issues or depression, addressed. Psychology services give a clinical opinion, on a case by case basis, to help inform a medical decision about prescribing medication.

I recently published a Mental Health Strategy 2021–2031 which acknowledges that there are many specialist interventions required across mental health services. The strategy commits to the continued development of our understanding of specialisms within a general mental health service provision and includes services for those with ADHD.