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The Scottish Government has pledged £7.6 million to support neurodivergent children amid increasing demand.

The funding will be distributed to local councils to be used to expand neurodevelopmental support for children, young people and their families.

Those who may need neurodevelopmental support include people with autism and ADHD, and the funding will aim to help young people with a diagnosis, awaiting diagnosis, or who do not require a diagnosis.

Announcing the funding on a visit to Windygoul Primary School in East Lothian, mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd said it is “just one part of the wider work” to improve neurodevelopmental support.

She said: “Demand for neurodevelopmental support has increased significantly in recent years and I want families to access the help they need, when they need it.

“This £7.6 million investment will help local areas build on existing services and further invest in the support that works for their communities.

“There is no single action that will solve all the challenges people face in getting timely and consistent support. This investment is just one part of the wider work to improve neurodevelopmental support.

“Through our continued partnership with local government, health services and the third sector, we will ensure a more joined-up, sustainable system of support for neurodivergent children, young people and their families.”

The support is part of work by the Scottish Government, local authority body Cosla and partners to improve neurodevelopmental support for young people across health, education, local government and the third sector, as set out in the Programme for Government.

Cosla spokesman for children and young people Tony Buchanan said: “Along with our wider partners, local government has seen rising demand for support for children and young people’s neurodevelopmental needs both pre, post and regardless of diagnosis.

“We very much recognise the value of early, neuro-affirming support for children, young people and their families in preventing the negative impacts caused where children’s needs are not met and helping them achieve their full potential.

“A whole-system response is essential to support children and young people with neurodevelopmental needs and their families. We look forward to continuing to work with our cross-sector partners to deliver improved outcomes as this work progresses.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats welcomed the funding, which the party said it had negotiated for during budget talks.

Lib Dem health spokesman Adam Harley said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats will always be the party of mental health, which is why we worked hard to persuade the Government to make this important investment, and I am very pleased to see it being delivered today.

“This money has the potential to make a big difference for children and families across the country, making sure that services get the funding they need to provide support.

“From the opposition benches, with our newly expanded group of MSPs, we will continue to be the grown-ups of this Parliament, providing strong and effective criticism, hunting for agreement where we can, to get things done for the people of Scotland.”