(UK) Scotland: Disabled students 'increasing exponentially';emotional/neurological issues

Nov 23, 2018, Scotsman: Number of children suffering from emotional distress ‘increasing exponentially’ https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/number-of-children-suffering-from-emotional-distress-increasing-exponentially-1-4833879 The number of children suffering from emotional distress is “increasing exponentially”, the chair of a specialist taskforce reviewing mental health care for youngsters has warned. Dame Denise Coia said that, combined with an increase in disorders such as autism and ADHD, had resulted in a “massive increase” in referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). … Dame Denise, who chairs the taskforce jointly set up by the Scottish Government and the council body Cosla, said there was “complete consensus” the “problems with mental health in Scotland with children and young people are increasing exponentially”. … She commented on “serious issues” relating to how those with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Asperger’s and ADHD are dealt with, saying youngsters with these conditions were sometimes treated by CAHMS, but in some places could be treated by paediatric services. She said: “These two areas have grown significantly and that has accounted for the massive increase in referrals.” Dame Denise was questioned on the issue by MSPs on Holyrood’s audit committee after a report by public spending watchdogs found specialist mental health services for young people were “complex and fragmented”, warning the system was under “significant pressure” due to an increase in demand. … In her programme for government, the First Minister announced an extra £250 million [$340M US dollars] spending to improve mental health care – including a £60m [$77M]pledge to recruit hundreds of school nurses along with counsellors for secondary schools, colleges and universities….