British Association for Neurodiversity (B4ND)

The British Association for Neurodiversity (B4ND, also written BAND) is a UK membership network for clinicians — chiefly doctors — who want to understand neurodivergence better and handle it well in their own practice. It is a professional body rather than a patient service: its resources are written for healthcare staff, and it does not offer assessment, diagnosis or individual medical advice to the public. For a neurodivergent person or parent, its value is indirect — it is one of the places where GPs and other doctors learn to recognise ADHD, autism and related differences and to respond with less friction.

The association grew out of a small group of UK GPs working in neurodevelopmental services who found each other online while trying to work around long waits and thin local provision. Specialist GP Dr Heidi Phillips, who is also the Royal College of GPs' Clinical Advisor for Neurodiversity, set up the network for clinicians with an interest in the field, and it now draws members from the RCGP, Local Medical Committees, medical schools, GP training programmes, NHS roles and private practice across the UK. Its stated aim is to further education and understanding of neurodiversity among clinicians, and it notes that statements made on its behalf reflect members' own views rather than those of their employers.

Most of the activity takes place on B4ND's online community platform, which clinicians join by creating an account. Alongside members' discussion spaces, the site hosts a public resources library, a public events space and a separate area aimed at parents. Clinicians looking for peer contact, CPD-style learning or colleagues doing similar neurodevelopmental work are the intended audience; members of the public can browse the open sections but should look elsewhere in the Directory for assessment or support.