Advice and resources : Getting Help Now: Autism
Overview
We understand that children, young people and their families will have concerns when their child has been referred for an autism assessment and have been working hard to offer them support. Much of the same support available after an autism diagnosis is also available while a child or young person is waiting for an autism assessment.
Support from Berkshire Healthcare
SHaRON Jupiter
SHaRON (Support Hope and Resources Online Network) is an online support network for parents and carers of young people with autism or parents and carers who have children waiting for an autism assessment. It is moderated by Autism Assessment Team clinicians, other autism professionals, staff from voluntary agencies across Berkshire and also offers the opportunity for families to receive parent to parent support.
If you are interested in joining, please email us at: sharon.jupiter@berkshire.nhs.uk. Please include your child’s name, and your name and contact details.
Sensory Processing workshops
We provide workshops for parent/carers and educational staff to learn more about how to support children and young people with their sensory needs. There are workshops for early years children (aged 0-5 years), primary school-aged children, and secondary school-aged children.
More information about the workshops and the links to book a place can be found below, as well as a a variety of resources to help you child manage sensory experiences.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
If you think your child requires support with their mental health then we would suggest making a referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). More information about the different teams can be found below.
External support
Autism Berkshire and GEMS
There are NHS locally commissioned services for Berkshire which offer a range of support to families, wherever they are on their journey. The services offer support to families who have a child with possible or confirmed ADHD and/or autism. This includes support, information, and advice as well as workshops to support with anger, emotional regulation and sleep difficulties as well as activities for children and young people.
For families who live in or have a GP in Bracknell, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead, you can visit Gems4Health below.
For families who live in or have a GP in Reading, Wokingham or West Berkshire, you can visit the Autism Berkshire website below.
Parenting Special Children
Parenting Special Children is a Berkshire-based charity that supports families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), neurodivergence, and additional needs by providing specialist information, training, advice, support groups, and wellbeing services. You can visit the website below or call 0118 986 3532.
The Autism Group
The Autism Group offer free parent support and social groups, parent training sessions and a home visit service for residents in the boroughs of Slough, Bracknell and Windsor and Maidenhead.
These services are offered to parents of children and young people of any age who either have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition or are awaiting assessment. You can call them on 07423 636 339.
Autism Central South East
Autism Central is a three year programme funded by NHS England. It is designed to complement local support and offer group and individual support for parents and carers of autistic children, young people, and adults. It uses a peer model, meaning it is delivered by trained parents and carers, for parents and carers.
SENDIASS
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) provides free, confidential and impartial advice to children, young people and their families. They can help with understanding SEND support, school-based support, EHCPs, rights and processes, and can support families in working with schools and other services.
More information about SENDIASS including information about your local SENDIASS service can be found by accessing their main website and then selecting ‘find your local service’.
IPSEA
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity that provides free, independent and legally-based advice to children, young people and families about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They can help people understand their rights, navigate SEND processes, and access appropriate educational support, including SEN Support, EHCPs, exclusions and appeals.
Support in your local area
Bracknell Forest Child Development Centre
Bracknell
The Child Development Centre (CDC) is part of the Bracknell Forest Council Early Years Team. They are a small team of professionals who support children from birth to five years with a developmental delay or moderate to severe and complex Special Education Needs or medical conditions. They are a needs-led service, which tailors support to meet the individual needs of the children and their family.
Email: Child-Development.Centre@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Phone: 01344 354 171
Autism Advisor for Families
Reading
The Autism Advisor to Families service provides advice, guidance and practical support to families of autistic children in Reading, as well as offering advice and guidance for children who may be autistic, or experiencing behaviours which can be associated with autism. This may include home visits, signposting to services, training and workshops, support with understanding autism, and liaison with professionals involved in the child's care and education.
Email: Autism.Advisor@brighterfuturesforchildren.org
Berkshire West Autism and ADHD Support Service
Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire
Berkshire West Autism and ADHD Support Service provide autism support on behalf of the BOB Integrated Care Service. They offer advice and support for families with children and young people aged up to 25.
Phone: 01189 594 594 - select option 1
Email: contact@autismberkshire.org.uk
The Autism Group
Thames Valley
The Autism Group offers support and social opportunities for young people on the autism spectrum (specifically in the secondary school and above age group). They also offer autism training for parents, carers and people living and working in the Thames Valley area. The team is based near Maidenhead.
Special interest groups:
For more information, contact Ruth on 07454 375 071 or email clubs@theautismgroup.org.uk
Training:
For more information, contact Dawn on 07463 337 851 or email training@theautismgroup.org.uk
Parent support:
For more information, contact Tricia on 07423 636 339 or email tricia@theautismgroup.org.uk
Autism Advisor for Families
West Berkshire
The Autism Advisor for Families provides information, advice and practical support to families of autistic children and young people. This includes answering questions, signposting to services, offering post-diagnosis support, and providing workshops and strategies to help families better understand and support their child. Families of children who do not have a diagnosis are able to attend drop-in sessions to seek advice.
Lizzie Paterson, Autism Advisor for Families
Phone: 01635 503 646
Email: Lizzie.Paterson1@westberks.gov.uk
ASSIST
Wokingham
Autism Spectrum Service for Information, Support and Training (ASSIST) is a Wokingham Borough Council Service which offers information about autism, local events and the opportunity to attend courses run for parents who have a child with a recent diagnosis of autism (or a child who is waiting for an autism assessment).
Phone: 0118 974 6881 / 6882
Email: assist@wokingham.gov.uk
ASD Family Help
ASD Family Help is a charity offering free support and advice to individuals on the autism spectrum as well as parents, carers and professionals within the Wokingham Borough.
Phone: 07707 660 599
Email: contact@asdfamilyhelp.org