Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act says a person is disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment Impairment The word services use for how much something gets in the way of daily life. A diagnosis usually needs proof of this, not just a list of traits. Read the full definition of Impairment with a substantial and long-term effect on everyday life. Many neurodivergent Neurodivergent Neurodivergent means a brain that works in its own way, not the way most people expect. Autistic people, and people with ADHD or dyslexia, are all neurodivergent. Read the full definition of Neurodivergent children meet this definition, with or without a formal diagnosis.

For your child, the most useful part is the duty to make reasonable adjustments Reasonable adjustments Changes a school or service must make so a disabled child is not put at a big disadvantage. The duty applies now, and it does not wait for a diagnosis. Read the full definition of Reasonable adjustments . Schools and services must take reasonable steps so your child is not put at a substantial disadvantage compared with other children. You can ask for adjustments now, while you are still waiting for an assessment.

One important limit: the Equality Act does not apply in Northern Ireland. There, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Disability Discrimination Act 1995 In Northern Ireland, this is the law that protects disabled people. The rest of the UK swapped it for the Equality Act in 2010. Read the full definition of Disability Discrimination Act 1995 does a similar job.