Dean's Grand Rounds - Invisible in Plain Sight: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among Neurodiverse Youth

Free Webinar - Thursday 26 February 2026, 4.00pm - 5.30pm

Overview

Young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are increasingly falling through gaps in health, education, and social care systems. These gaps lead to school exclusions, delayed mental health support, and crisis-driven pathways that place children and young adults at risk of deterioration in mental and emotional well-being, isolation, self-harm, exploitation, and involvement with the youth justice system.

This Grand Round will highlight where systems are failing, explore the structural, clinical, and social challenges that leave neurodiverse children and young adults unsupported, and bring together experts to identify the gaps and struggles. The session is not presenting a finished solution, but aims to foster discussion, share evidence and local data, and collaboratively consider upstream interventions to prevent crises before they occur.

 

Programme and slides

  1. Introduction from Professor Subodh Dave, Dean, Royal College of Psychiatrists
  2. Invisible in plain sight - Dr Nudrat Rizvi, Consultant Psychiatrist
  3. Beyond the diagnosis: lived realities for autistic young people - Dr Katy Robson, Consultant Psychologist, ASD Clinical Lead
  4. Council and Education Department perspective - Lisa Marie Smith, Birmingham City Council
  5. The end of the pipeline: from exclusion to homelessness - Dr Amanda Skeate, St Basils (Youth Homelessness and Vulnerability Services)
  6. Q&A
  7. Close from Dr Deepa Bagepalli Krishnan, Dean's Grand Rounds Lead

Additional resources

Clinical and diagnostic guidance

National data and policy

Education and safeguarding

Homelessness and social risk

Equality and access