Technology Matters: The <scp>ESSENCE</scp> of holistic neurodivergent identification in a digital age

There is growing recognition that neurodivergence encompasses overlapping and co-occurring neurodevelopmental traits rather than isolated diagnostic categories. However, clinical services often struggle to adopt holistic, needs-based assessments due to reliance on condition-specific pathways. This article introduces ESSENCE-D, a digital tool designed to support neurodevelopmental formulation by surveying traits across multiple neurotypes without a pre-defined diagnostic focus. ESSENCE-D generates visual profiles that help clinicians and families better understand an individual's strengths and needs, guiding multidisciplinary decision-making. Preliminary piloting suggests the tool is sensitive, user-friendly and could help streamline emerging holistic neurodevelopmental pathways. With ongoing clinical trials underway, ESSENCE-D represents a promising step towards aligning neurodevelopmental services with the principles of neurodiversity and improving care for neurodivergent individuals.