Support for families waiting for a school-age autism assessment

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Services available in all boroughs

In this section

Support with mental health, behaviour and emotional regulation

Kooth online wellbeing community

Online support where young people aged 11 to 25 can chat to counsellors, keep an online journal, read articles written by other young people and connect with others through a moderated group. Kooth also has a section on neurodiversity with useful resources. Visit Kooth.

Cheyne clinical psychology service (EMBRACE group)

The Cheyne clinical psychology team, along with occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, music therapy and specialist nurses, run the EMBRACE group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7. This group focuses on understanding your child and making sense of their behaviour. For more information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

The Whole-Brain Child by Dr Dan Siegel

This book explains meltdowns in a clear, practical way, including how a child’s brain develops over time. It offers age-appropriate strategies for day-to-day challenges, plus illustrations and tools to support emotional development, problem solving and connection within the family.

Cheyne mental health support

You can also read our Cheyne mental health support page.

Note: CAMHS and Mind mental health support team links vary by borough. See your borough section below.

Support with sleep

Cerebra

Cerebra provides advice and support for families on a range of topics including sleep. The website includes information leaflets and families can access one-to-one support via the Cerebra sleep advice service.

The Sleep Charity (including The Sleep Council)

The Sleep Charity provides advice and support on sleep. It runs online courses and also has a telephone helpline (03303 530 541) run by specialist trained sleep advisers. Visit The Sleep Charity’s children’s sleep information and support page.

Cheyne clinical psychology team

The Cheyne clinical psychology team runs a sleep workshop for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7, covering common sleep issues. For more information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Cheyne sleep support

Read more on our Cheyne sleep support page.

Support with feeding and eating

SOS Approach to Feeding

This video gives an introduction to why feeding and eating can be complex, why some children struggle and ways to support children to eat more comfortably. Watch the SOS parent workshop: when children won’t eat.

National Autistic Society: eating

The National Autistic Society provides information and practical advice about eating and feeding difficulties. Read the National Autistic Society guidance on eating.

Children and young people’s occupational therapy

The occupational therapy service provides online advice to support everyday activities, including feeding. Visit occupational therapy for children (CLCH).

Cheyne clinical psychology service

The Cheyne clinical psychology and occupational therapy teams run a group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 focusing on common feeding challenges. For more information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Support with toilet training and self-care skills

ERIC: The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity

ERIC provides advice and information on toilet training and common toileting problems. Visit the ERIC website.

Family Fund

Family Fund provides grants to families on a low income for items such as washing machines and tumble dryers, or towards the cost of bedding and clothing. Find out more at Family Fund.

Children and young people’s occupational therapy (CYPOT)

CYPOT provides online advice to support children to develop everyday self-care skills. For advice on dressing, feeding, toileting, sleep, handwriting and gross motor skills, visit occupational therapy for children (CLCH) and use the “Programmes” section.

National Autistic Society: toilet training

The National Autistic Society provides practical information on toilet training autistic children. Read the National Autistic Society guidance on toileting.

Cheyne clinical psychology and occupational therapy team

The Cheyne clinical psychology and occupational therapy teams run a group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 focusing on common toileting challenges. For more information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Support with communication

Speech and language therapy

If you have concerns about your child’s speech or communication, you can request a referral to the mainstream speech and language therapy service via your GP. This service provides assessment and advice for school-age children.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), speech and language therapy is usually delivered through the EHCP.

Further information is available via the CLCH speech and language therapy hub, which also includes practical resources for supporting communication at home and school.

Support with sensory processing

Sensory processing information and practical guidance

Read our sensory processing difficulties page for detailed information and practical guidance.

OT Support Hub

The OT Support Hub sensory needs page explains sensory differences clearly and includes strategies families can try at home.

Trusted sensory resources

Books on sensory processing

  • The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz
  • James Has a Sensory Processing Disorder by Alison Harris and Nika Oberholster
  • Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske

Note: Practical sensory strategies and the bi-borough services are listed in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster below.

School support

All schools have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget to support pupils with additional needs. Many children’s needs can be met through this provision.

If you have concerns, speak with your child’s class teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

Note: Educational psychology, EHC needs assessment and SENDIASS links vary by borough. See your borough section below.

Parent support and voluntary organisations

Centre for ADHD and Autism Support (CAAS)

CAAS supports neurodivergent children, young people and families before and after diagnosis. Learn more at the CAAS website.

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society provides guidance on diagnosis, education, mental health, benefits and family support. Visit the National Autistic Society website.

Family Lives

Provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. Visit Family Lives.

Incredibly Elev8ed

A non-profit foundation developed by parents, for parents. Visit Incredibly Elev8ed.

Note: Some local parent forums and family hubs are borough-specific and are listed below.

Support for families in Hammersmith and Fulham

In this section

Mental health support in Hammersmith and Fulham

Confident Parent Happy Child

Provides support for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18. The project offers a range of evidence-based parenting programmes, plus information, advice and support. Referrals can be made by parents and carers and by professionals. Find out more about the Confident Parent Happy Child parenting programme in Hammersmith and Fulham.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Read about how to access Hammersmith and Fulham CAMHS.

Mind: mental health support teams (MHST)

Find out more via Children and Young People support from Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow Mind.

Toileting workshops in Hammersmith and Fulham

Hammersmith and Fulham INSPIRE team

The INSPIRE team runs termly toileting workshops for parents and carers. For enquiries, email Inspire@lbhf.gov.uk.

School support in Hammersmith and Fulham

INSPIRE: inclusion and specialist intervention outreach service

INSPIRE supports schools working with children who have autism, communication needs, sensory needs, hearing or visual impairment, or developmental delay.

Schools and families can also access online drop-in advice sessions. More information is available via the INSPIRE hub.

Educational psychology

Further details are available from the Hammersmith and Fulham educational psychology service.

Education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA)

Learn more about education, health and care plans in Hammersmith and Fulham.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Contact details and further information are available via Hammersmith and Fulham SENDIASS.

Parent support in Hammersmith and Fulham

Stephen Wiltshire Centre family hub

Details of sessions and contact information are available via the Stephen Wiltshire Centre family hub page.

Other Hammersmith and Fulham family hubs

Cheyne child development service coffee mornings

For details, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Parents Active

Visit Parents Active for more information.

Hammersmith and Fulham SEND Local Offer

The Hammersmith and Fulham SEND Local Offer brings together information about education, health and social care services for children and young people aged 0 to 25.

Support for families in Kensington and Chelsea

In this section

Mental health support in Kensington and Chelsea

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Find out more about Kensington and Chelsea CAMHS.

Mind: mental health support team

Find out more via Kensington and Chelsea Mind.

Sensory support and training in Kensington and Chelsea

Bi-borough inclusion service

The bi-borough inclusion service runs a training session for staff and parents and carers called “Practical sensory strategies”. Read about Practical sensory strategies. You can also view the full bi-borough training newsletter.

School support in Kensington and Chelsea

Bi-borough inclusion service: autism advisory team

Find out more about the bi-borough autism advisory service.

Education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA)

You can also read about EHC needs assessments on the Kensington and Chelsea Local Offer.

Educational psychology service

Find out more via the educational psychology consultation service page.

Kensington and Chelsea SEND information, advice and support service (SENDIASS)

Visit IASS (SEND) from Full of Life.

Parent support in Kensington and Chelsea

Full of Life

Visit Full of Life.

Kensington and Chelsea SEND Local Offer

Kensington and Chelsea SEND Local Offer

Visit the Kensington and Chelsea SEND Local Offer.

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website

Further information about services and support available locally can be found on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website.

In Deep music therapy

Find out more about In Deep music therapy.

Support for families in Westminster

In this section

Mental health support in Westminster

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Find out more at CNWL CAMHS.

Mind: mental health support teams (MHST)

You can also visit Mind in Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster.

Sensory support and training in Westminster

Bi-borough inclusion service

The bi-borough inclusion service runs a training session for staff and parents and carers called “Practical sensory strategies”. Read about Practical sensory strategies. You can also view the full bi-borough training newsletter.

School support in Westminster

Bi-borough inclusion service: autism advisory team

Find out more about the bi-borough autism advisory service.

Education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA)

You can read more on the Westminster Local Offer: Westminster education and EHCP information.

Educational psychology service

Find out more via the educational psychology consultation service page.

Westminster SEND information, advice and support service (SENDIASS)

Visit WIASS.

Parent support in Westminster

Make It Happen

Visit Make It Happen (WPPG).

Westminster SEND Local Offer

Westminster SEND Local Offer

Visit the Westminster SEND Local Offer.

Westminster City Council website

Further information about services and support available locally can be found on the Westminster City Council website.

In Deep music therapy

Find out more about In Deep music therapy.