Neurodiversity in the Paediatric Chronic Pain Clinic: An Audit
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Objective
To compare the characteristics, management and outcomes of neurodivergent (ND) children with neurotypical (NT) children attending a chronic pain clinic.
Design
An audit of all patients attending the clinic from 2010-2025 using electronic patient records.
Setting
A tertiary pain centre in Scotland.
Patients
724 patients were included in the analysis, 193 (26%) were neurodivergent. Patients were included if they had a documented referral to the pain clinic and attendance to at least one clinic appointment. Patients were excluded if no pain clinic letter could be found on their records.
Results
There was a significant increase in the percentage of children with neurodiversity attending the chronic pain clinic compared to neurotypical children ( p = 0.004) accounting for over a third of children last seen in the period of 2023-2025. ND children were most likely to present with musculoskeletal pain compared with NT children ( p = 0.033) representing over half of all ND children’s presentations with pain. ND children were more likely to report being bedbound (18% ND, 13% NT, p = 0.0352) or needing a walking aid (40% ND, 25% NT, p = 0.000) due to chronic pain and had a higher number of referrals (ND median = 18.4, 1QR, NT median = 12.44, IQR10.28 p = 0.000). ND children were more likely to live in areas of deprivation (Cochran-Armitage test, Z –2.15, p = 0.0315).
Conclusions
Children with neurodiversity are overrepresented in the chronic pain clinic, and more often present to tertiary services with musculoskeletal pain. They are more likely to have multiple referrals, spend longer with the pain service and less likely to be discharged due to pain improvement. These findings highlight the need for focused strategies to address chronic pain in neurodivergent children. Services should consider how best to identify and support children with neurodiversity and chronic pain.
Key Messages
What is already known on this topic
While there has been research regarding the role of neurodiversity in pain perception, there are gaps in knowledge regarding the influence of neurodiversity on the development and persistence of chronic pain in children.
What this study adds
A growing proportion of neurodiverse children attended the pain clinic. Neurodiverse children presented with more severely impactful pain, they spent a longer duration of time within the pain clinic and were less likely to be discharged due to pain improvement.
How this study might affect research, practice or policy
Identifying neurodiverse children as a patient group with distinct requirements may prompt adaptations in chronic pain management practices. This audit provides an initial framework for subsequent research.
