NEPSOS: Adolescents with neuropsychiatric symptoms in the turmoil of the service system – interdisciplinary study of social work, adolescent psychiatry and special education

Existing social, health and educational services do not meet the needs of adolescents with neuropsychiatric symptoms. The NEPSOS project of the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland seeks solutions to the problems of the service system.

As many as 15 percent of the population have neuropsychiatric symptoms, which in most cases are not visible from the outside but affect daily life. Developmental neuropsychiatric disorders include the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, Tourette’s syndrome and other tic disorders, limited developmental learning difficulties, and wide-ranging learning difficulties.

The project looks into the services targeted at adolescents with neuropsychiatric symptoms and their families as well as their service needs, within the framework of joint expertise in the fields of social work (UTU & UEF), adolescent psychiatry (UTU & UEF), and special education (UTU). The appropriateness of services and service paths is examined from the point of view of young people, families, and professionals, as well as from the perspective of multidisciplinary co-operation.

The NEPSOS project is carried out in co-operation between the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland. The partners also include regional development projects and various parties involved in development work.

The project has received the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s state grant for university-level research into social work, amounting to EUR 455,400, for two years (November 2022–October 2024).