Advice and resources : Getting help now: ADHD

Overview

We understand that children, young people, and their families will have concerns when their child has been referred for an ADHD assessment.

Much of the same support available after an ADHD diagnosis is also available while a child or young person is waiting for an ADHD assessment.

SHaRON Jupiter

Our Support Hope and Resources Online Network (SHaRON) is a support network for parents and carers of young people with ADHD or autism or parents and carers who have children waiting for either/both assessments.

It is moderated by clinicians from our ADHD Team, the Autism Assessment Team, other professionals, staff from voluntary agencies across Berkshire.

It provides an opportunity for families to give and receive support from each other.

• Visit SHaRON

Autism Berkshire and GEMS

There are NHS locally commissioned services for Berkshire which offer a range of support to families with children with possible or confirmed ADHD and/or autism.

This includes workshops to support with anger, emotional regulation, sleep difficulties, and activities for children and young people.

For families who live in or have a GP in Bracknell, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead, you can visit Gems4Health.

For families who live in or have a GP in Reading, Wokingham or West Berkshire, you can visit the Autism Berkshire website.

• Visit the Gems4Health website
• Visit the Autism Berkshire website

Parenting Special Children

Parenting Special Children offer additional support. You can visit the website call 0118 986 3532.

• Visit the Parenting Special Children website

ADHD resources

Although we know that not all young people referred for an assessment will receive a diagnosis, these resources can still be useful while they are waiting.

• ADDitude
• Living with ADHD
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) 
• The National ADHD Information and Support Service: The National ADHD Information and Support Service

Sensory sensitivities

• National Autistic Society sensory processing
• Falkirk Council making sense of your sensory behaviour
• Sensory processing information
• Sensory processing online workshops

Support in school

Support in school should be needs-led. It's important to put this in place as soon as possible.

There is no need to wait for the assessment to happen first.

Not all of the children and young people referred for an ADHD assessment will go on to receive a diagnosis. Regardless of the outcome of the assessment, their needs will still remain.

When children and young people are referred, we provide a letter for schools with information on available resources to help. 

This includes access to educational psychologists, behaviour support teams, and other services as needed.

Further support

If a school can't access support from the resources typically available, they can request an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment to see if there is a need for additional provision.

Many children and young people will have needs that can be met through Ordinarily Available Provision, without the need for an Educational Health and Care Plan.

Other resources

Family Lives

Professional, non-judgmental support and advice for all members of the family.

• Family Lives website

Speech and Language UK

A communication charity who offer a range of information services that provide help and advice to parents about speech, language and communication.

• Speech and Language UK

Afasic

This organisation supports parents and represents children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Resources include books and DVDs and free downloads.

• Afasic website

ERIC

Information, advice and guides for toilet training and children’s bladder and bowel problems.

• ERIC website

SEND Information, Advice, and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Formerly known as Parent Partnership. It’s really important to talk to your child’s school about your worries.

There is advice and support available for children and young people with special educational needs, and their parents and carers. You can also contact your local IASS, or SENIDASS.

Social skills and friendships

These books give some useful ideas about how to help children understand and develop friendships.

• The unwritten rules of friendship; simple strategies to help your child make friends by E Kennedy-Moore & N Madorsky Elman
• Friends Forever: How Parents Can Help Their Kids Make and Keep Good Friends by Fred Frankel

Support with meltdowns and developing problem-solving skills

The book, The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children, by Ross W. Greene is a useful resource.

It teaches collaborative problem-solving skills. This can help young people learn to solve problems more flexibly, while thinking about their own and other’s needs.

Useful resources