Minutes: 20 January 2026

1. Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Jim Crabb, Policy Lead and Dr Leonie Boeing, CAMHS psychiatrist and Vice Chair of the Child and Adolescent Faculty, Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland;

and then from—

Debbie Best, Director, DIFFERabled Scotland;

Kabie Brook, Chairperson, ARGH Scotland;

Sofia Farzana, Director and Co-founder, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA);

Marion McLaughlin, Managing Director and Founder, Aurora Autistic Consulting;

Rachel Parker, Founding Trustee, Autistic Voices Advocating Together for Autonomous Rights (AVATAR);

Carolyn Scott, Founder and Researcher, ADHD Right Now;

Leo Starrs-Cunningham, Treasurer, Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh (AMASE).

Maggie Chapman declared that in her previous role as Chief Officer of the Scottish Council for Visual Impairment (SCOVI) she worked with Carolyn Scott, Founder and Researcher, ADHD Right Now.

2. Operation of the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard at its meeting on 13 January.

3. Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the evidence heard to a future meeting.