Support for Parents and Carers

Local Offer: A Local Offer gives children and young people, who have Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or a disability, information in one place. It provides information about services and provisions that are available for parents, children and young people. 

Essex Local Offer: https://send.essex.gov.uk/

Thurrock Local Offer: Welcome to the Thurrock SEND Local Offer | Ask Thurrock

Supporting your neurodivergent child : This booklet has been created by parents, for parents, of neurodivergent children, which includes Autism ADHD. It has been designed by Essex Family Forum alongside local charities, NHS and Social Care organisations.

SNAP Charity : SNAP is a local charity who provide support for families of children with differences and disabilities. 

MYOTAS (My Own Time and Space) : MYOTAS is a local charity who provide support to neurodivergent children and their families.

Families in Focus : A parent-led charity supporting families who have children or young people in their family with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability. They offer support to young people up to the age of 25. 

Essex Family Forum : The parent/ carer forum in Essex for families whose children and young people, up to the age of 25, who have special educational needs or disabilities.

Thurrock SEND Family Forum : The parent/carer forum in Thurrock to support families whose children and young people, up to the age of 25, have special educational needs or disabilities

National Autistic Society : A national charity providing support and information for Autistic People and their families.

ADHD Foundation : Provides health and education services for people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.

Autistic Girls Network : Support and education to help Autistic girls, women and gender diverse people

Financial Support : You may be entitled to apply for financial support to help pay for additional equipment or activities your child may require in order to help them thrive. Access information:

Ambitious about Autism :  A charity supporting Autistic people and their families.

Support for Young People

Spectrum Gaming: UK based charity where autistic young people connect with others and develop friendships in a safe space with the support of autistic adults. 

Teen Sleep Hub: Advice, support and strategies to support teenagers who are experiencing sleep difficulties. 

MYOTAS (My Own Time and Space): A charity supporting neurodivergent children and their families. They provide groups for children and young people including Woodland Warriors, Mindful Crafts and Yoga.

Autistic F.C: An inclusive football team based in Brentwood 

Young Minds: A national carity providing support to young people with their mental health.

Teenagers Guide to ADHD

Support at School

School SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
If your child needs more support at school, please speak to the school’s. A child does not require a diagnosis in order to receive support in school. 

Essex SENDIASS: Provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support about Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) for children and young people (0-25) and their parents/carers living in Essex.  

PATT-SENDIASS: Parent Advisory Team Thurrock SENDIASS offer support about Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) for children and young people (0-25) and their parents/carers in Thurrock.

IPSEA:  Helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law 

Therapeutic Advice and Support

Sensory Processing: Some neurodivergent children can experience differences with how they process and interpret sensory information. This online sensory workshop provides resources to support your child’s sensory processing differences. The ‘Sensory Awareness Tool Kit’ explains sensory processing as well as strategies to help.

The Children’s Occupational Therapy Team also operate a daily Duty Desk where you can call for advice without a referral:

Tel: 0300 300 1670 (10am-1pm Mon-Fri exc. Bank Holidays).

Communication: Some neurodivergent children could experience difficulties with social communication and interaction. The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy team have created resources to help parents/carers understand and support your child’s communication.

If your child is under 5 and not yet in school, you can email the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy team and request to attend a Drop-In session where you will have the opportunity for a short session with a therapist to discuss your concerns. drop-in@nelft.nhs.uk

School Aged children can contact their child’s SENCO to enquire about liaising with the school’s link therapist for advice and support. 

Emotional Regulation: This is how people experience and respond to their emotions. Some neurodivergent people can experience their emotions more intensely or have difficulty interpreting and describing how they feel. Sometimes people will bottle their feelings and emotions and then have big outbursts then they get home. 
A ‘meltdown’ is often an external expression that could include shouting, crying, hitting out, and a ‘shutdown’ may look like complete withdrawal. When a person is experiencing a meltdown or shutdown it is important to keep them safe and let them know you are there for them. 
This video offers ideas and strategies to support your understanding of emotional regulation.

Further resources for Anxiety include:
Autistica: Anxiety and Autism 
National Autistic Society: Anxiety in Autistic people 
Autistic Girls Network: Autism and Anxiety with Dr. Luke Beardon (video) 
Sleep: Some neurodivergent children find settling and staying asleep difficult. This video provides advice and support around sleep strategies.
Support your child’s sleep

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing: If your child is known, or has previously been known to a Community Paediatrician you can call the Specialist Health Visitors Helpline on 0300 300 1816, Tuesdays and Thursdays 09:30-11:30

Thurrock

Eating and Drinking: Some neurodivergent children can have challenges with eating and drinking. They may often eat a small range of foods.

The NELFT Children’s Feeding and Dietetic Service have created some resources to support your child’s eating.

Some neurodivergent young people may experience disordered eating. You can find support and information:

Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing

Your child’s needs might mean that you need extra financial support. You can apply for benefits on GOV.UK. Find out more about benefits for autistic young people on the National Autistic Society website.

The Autism and ADHD assessment pathway is not an emergency service. If you have your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, they will most likely appear very distressed and worried, and you require urgent support to help them:

• They might want to hurt themselves or someone else
• They might be feeling actively suicidal
• They might hear strange noises or feel that people are watching them or wanting to hurt them.

SET-CAMHS are a 24 hour, 7 day a week service. Use the following details to contact the service -

Monday – Friday 9.00AM – 5:00PM  Call SET CAMHS - Freephone 0800 953 0222 

After 5:00PM  if your concerns escalate about your child outside of these hours please call Mental Health Direct on freephone 0800 995 1000 (Out of Hours / Weekend or Bank Holidays).

If it is an emergency, immediate danger to life/safety dial 999 or visit Accident and Emergency (A&E).

If you feel concerned about your child/young person but do not feel they need immediate/emergency intervention, please phone the SET-CAMHS day time number during work hours.

Mental Health Support Teams: Many schools across Essex and Thurrock now have links with a mental health team to help children in school. Find out if your school has this link  

Resources to support mental health and wellbeing 

SET-CAMHS: South Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service have some great resources on their webpage to support your child’s mental health.

Kooth

The Mix

Shout

Young Minds

Papyrus

Advice for children who self-harm

After Diagnosis Support

After your child has received a diagnosis of Autism or ADHD you may find it helpful to access from of the resources below for advice and support.

Autism: After Diagnosis Support Groups

Our clinical team runs support sessions in Thurrock and Basildon. This is an opportunity for parents to come together, share experiences and receive support from team. These sessions are for parents only. No appointment is needed to access these sessions. For information about these sessions please contact: childrensautismADHDassessment@nelft.nhs.uk

Thurrock:  Child Development Centre, Gifford House, Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX

Basildon: Great Oaks Clinic, Great Oaks, Basildon SS14 1EH

Kids Autism Hub: The Kids Autism Hub has been co-produced by professionals and Autistic young people and their families. Including live webinars providing advice and support following your Autism diagnosis. This is for parents/carers of children of all ages, however young people over the age of 12 can also register for their own account. This is for families receiving support in Essex and Thurrock only.

You can make a self-referral to access the hub using this link -www.kids.org.uk/services/kids-autism-hub/

Please enter: ChildrensautismADHDassessment@nelft.nhs.uk and enter either the name of your clinician (this can be found on your appointment letter) or ‘Autism and ADHD Assessment Pathway’ as the clinicians name if it asks for this information.