Support for families waiting for a pre-school autism assessment

Support for families on the preschool ASD pathway

On this page

Support for families living in Hammersmith and Fulham

In this section

Support with communication

Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service

The Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) speech and language therapy team sees children who have a GP in Hammersmith and Fulham. They offer assessment and support for children with concerns about communication, language and/or interaction up to 5 years old or until they start school.

The aim of the service is to work with parents and carers and with settings to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to continue supporting the child. Evidence shows that this approach leads to the best outcomes.

The team provides specialist advice and strategies to help you confidently support your child’s needs.

If your child has recently finished a period of speech and language therapy support, and you have been practising the strategies at home, you can contact the service again after three months to discuss whether further support is needed.

Speech and Language Therapy Administration Hub
020 7266 8777 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Resources

While you wait to be seen, you may find these resources helpful:

Support with behaviour and emotional regulation

Cheyne Clinical Psychology EMBRACE group

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology team, along with Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy and Specialist Nurses, runs the EMBRACE group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7. The group focuses on understanding your child and making sense of behaviour.

For further information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Confident Parent Happy Child service

This service supports parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18. It offers evidence-based parenting programmes, information, advice and support. The Stepping Stones Triple P programme is particularly relevant for children with additional needs.

Referrals are accepted from parents, carers and professionals. Learn more about the service at Confident Parent Happy Child (Stepping Stones Triple P) .

Stephen Wiltshire Centre: Monday CAMHS drop-in service

Mondays, 12.30pm to 2.30pm

This is a weekly session for parents, carers and young people to get support with behavioural concerns and emotional wellbeing. It is an informal opportunity to ask questions and explore available services, including signposting to local resources such as parenting groups and workshops.

Please note: you will need to call the Stephen Wiltshire Centre to request an appointment time.

Stephen Wiltshire Centre, Queensmill Road, London SW6 6JR
Telephone: 020 8753 4443
Email: stephenwiltshirecentre@lbhf.gov.uk

National Autistic Society: behaviour guidance

Find evidence-based information and resources on understanding and managing behaviour at the National Autistic Society behaviour guidance pages .

Support with sleep

The Sleep Charity

This charity provides advice and support on sleep. It runs online courses and a telephone helpline (03303 530 541) staffed by specialist trained sleep advisors.

Visit The Sleep Charity: children and sleep information .

Occupational Therapy Support Hub: sleep

Find practical advice from the Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy service at OT Support Hub: sleep .

Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team: sleep workshop

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team runs a sleep workshop for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7, covering common sleep difficulties. Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

Cerebra: sleep advice service

Cerebra provides information and one-to-one support for families. You can access their sleep advice service at Cerebra: sleep advice service .

Cheyne sleep support page

Find more information on the Cheyne sleep support page .

Support with feeding

Occupational Therapy Support Hub: eating

Find practical advice on feeding at OT Support Hub: eating .

Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy: feeding group

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy teams run a group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 to support common feeding difficulties. Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

SOS Approach to Feeding: parent workshop video

This video introduces why feeding can be complex, why some children struggle and how to support eating. Watch the parent workshop at SOS Approach to Feeding: When children won’t eat .

National Autistic Society: eating

Read guidance on eating and feeding difficulties at the National Autistic Society eating pages .

Cheyne feeding support page

Find more information on the Cheyne support with eating page .

Support with toilet training and self-care skills

Support with sensory processing

For more detailed information, visit our sensory processing difficulties page .

Where to get more support

The OT Support Hub includes information on sensory needs. Visit OT Support Hub: sensory needs .

Other helpful links

The websites below explain sensory processing differences and offer practical strategies. Some also include online training.

Nursery and school support

All nurseries and schools have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget to help meet the needs of children with additional needs. Most children’s needs can be met through this level of support. If you have concerns about how your child is coping at nursery or school, speak to your child’s key worker, class teacher or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

Hammersmith and Fulham Inclusion and Specialist Intervention Outreach Service (INSPIRE)

INSPIRE supports settings and schools to meet the needs of children and young people with hearing or vision impairment, autism, language and communication needs, literacy and numeracy difficulties or significant developmental delay. Support can include specialist interventions, assessment, teaching and advice, training and workforce development.

The INSPIRE team also runs weekly online drop-in sessions for parents and carers and for school staff. Find out more on the INSPIRE Hub .

Hammersmith and Fulham Educational Psychology Service

Most schools have access to an educational psychologist who can provide support and advice about meeting individual children’s needs. This service is accessed through referrals from the school SENCo. If you have concerns, speak to the SENCo at your child’s school.

Further information is available at Educational Psychology Service (Hammersmith and Fulham) .

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

This service provides independent advice, information and guidance to parents and carers about special educational needs and disability.

Contact details:
Hammersmith and Fulham SENDIASS, 141 to 143 King Street, London W6 9JG
Telephone: 020 3886 1582
Website: Hammersmith and Fulham SENDIASS

Parent support and voluntary organisations

Stephen Wiltshire Centre Family Hub

The Stephen Wiltshire Centre is a specialist Family Hub offering services for children with additional needs or disabilities aged 0 to 18. The centre hosts drop-in sessions (for example, Welfare Benefits, SENDIASS and 0 to 5 Little Explorers Play and Stays) and bookable sessions (for example, Housing Clinic and CAMHS).

The centre also provides Short Breaks services, including a weekly term-time 0 to 8 Play and Stay, and after-school, weekend and holiday clubs for children who have the Stephen Wiltshire Centre as part of their assessed Short Breaks package.

The centre runs a duty line Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.30pm, for parents and carers to book sessions and ask for support.

Telephone: 020 8753 4443
Website: Stephen Wiltshire Centre Family Hub

Cheyne Child Development Service coffee mornings

The Cheyne team runs monthly coffee mornings for parents and carers of children and young people who are awaiting assessment or have recently been seen. These sessions give parents a chance to meet other parents and receive advice and signposting to local support.

Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

Parents Active (parent carer forum)

Parents Active is a parent carer forum for Hammersmith and Fulham residents. It is run by parents of children with disabilities and is focused on improving quality of life for disabled children and their families. It offers a support network, coffee mornings, training sessions, events and focus groups.

Telephone: 020 8748 5168
Email: info@parentsactive.org.uk
Website: Parents Active

Centre for ADHD and Autism Support

This organisation supports neurodivergent individuals and their families, both pre- and post-diagnosis.

Telephone: 020 8429 1552
Website: Centre for ADHD and Autism Support

Hammersmith and Fulham SEND local offer

The SEND local offer provides information on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. Visit the Hammersmith and Fulham SEND local offer .

Support for families living in Kensington and Chelsea

In this section

Support with communication

Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service

The Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) speech and language therapy team sees children who have a GP in Kensington and Chelsea. They offer assessment and support for children with concerns about communication, language and/or interaction up to 5 years old or until they start school.

The aim of the service is to work with parents and carers and with settings to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to continue supporting the child. Evidence shows that this approach leads to the best outcomes.

The team provides specialist advice and strategies to help you confidently support your child’s needs.

If your child has recently finished a period of speech and language therapy support, and you have been practising the strategies at home, you can contact the service again after three months to discuss whether further support is needed.

Speech and Language Therapy Administration Hub
020 7266 8777 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Resources

While you wait to be seen, you may find these resources helpful:

Support with behaviour and emotional regulation

Cheyne Clinical Psychology EMBRACE group

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology team, along with Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy and Specialist Nurses, runs the EMBRACE group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7. The group focuses on understanding your child and making sense of behaviour.

For further information, email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net.

Circle of Security Parenting

Circle of Security Parenting is an 8-week programme based on decades of research into secure parent-child relationships. It supports parents and carers to:

  • understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read their emotional needs
  • support your child’s ability to manage emotions
  • build your child’s self-esteem
  • strengthen connection, particularly at times when parenting feels most difficult

(For parents and carers of children aged 4 months to 7 years)

To register or find out more, email familyhub@rbkc.gov.uk or call 020 7938 8400.

RBKC parenting offer

For information about upcoming parenting programmes or workshops, contact Donna Archer (Early Help Parenting Practitioner, RBKC): donna.archer@rbkc.gov.uk.

National Autistic Society: behaviour guidance

Find evidence-based information and resources on understanding and managing behaviour at the National Autistic Society behaviour guidance pages .

Support with sleep

The Sleep Charity

This charity provides advice and support on sleep. It runs online courses and a telephone helpline (03303 530 541) staffed by specialist trained sleep advisors.

Visit The Sleep Charity: children and sleep information .

Occupational Therapy Support Hub: sleep

Find practical advice from the Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy service at OT Support Hub: sleep .

Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team: sleep workshop

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team runs a sleep workshop for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7. Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

Cerebra: sleep advice service

Cerebra provides information and one-to-one support for families. You can access their sleep advice service at Cerebra: sleep advice service .

Cheyne sleep support page

Find more information on the Cheyne sleep support page .

Support with feeding

Occupational Therapy Support Hub: eating

Find practical advice on feeding at OT Support Hub: eating .

Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy: feeding group

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy teams run a group for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 to support common feeding difficulties. Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

SOS Approach to Feeding: parent workshop video

This video introduces why feeding can be complex, why some children struggle and how to support eating. Watch the parent workshop at SOS Approach to Feeding: When children won’t eat .

National Autistic Society: eating

Read guidance on eating and feeding difficulties at the National Autistic Society eating pages .

Cheyne feeding support page

Find more information on the Cheyne support with eating page .

Support with toilet training and self-care skills

Support with sensory processing

For more detailed information, visit our sensory processing difficulties page .

Where to get more support

The OT Support Hub includes information on sensory needs. Visit OT Support Hub: sensory needs .

Other helpful links

The websites below explain sensory processing differences and offer practical strategies. Some also include online training.

Nursery and school support

All nurseries and schools have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget to help meet the needs of children with additional needs. Most children’s needs can be met through this level of support. If you have concerns about how your child is coping at nursery or school, speak to your child’s key worker, class teacher or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

RBKC Bi-borough Inclusion Service (joint service with Westminster)

This service includes advisory teachers who specialise in autism, speech, language and communication needs, hearing support, vision impairment, occupational therapy and inclusion. Find out more on the Bi-borough Inclusion Service page .

Bi-borough Early Years Hub

This platform supports early years practitioners and childminders in Kensington and Chelsea. Visit the Bi-borough Early Years Hub for more information.

Educational Psychology Service

Schools can access an educational psychologist through referrals from the school SENCo. The educational psychologist can consult with you and school staff, observe your child and help develop a support plan.

For referral enquiries and upcoming parent training and courses, contact the Bi-borough Autism Team: AEYIT@rbkc.gov.uk.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

This service provides independent advice, information and guidance to parents and carers about special educational needs and disability. Find out more at RBKC SENDIASS .

Parent support and voluntary organisations

Family hubs

Family hubs bring together support from pregnancy through to young people turning 19, or 25 if they have a disability. Each family hub includes a children’s centre with activities for young children and support for families of children of older ages.

If you live in Kensington and Chelsea and would like to register for a family hub or children’s centre, email familyhub@rbkc.gov.uk.

Cheyne Child Development Service coffee mornings

The Cheyne team runs monthly coffee mornings for parents and carers of children and young people who are awaiting assessment or have recently been seen. Email chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net for further information.

Full of Life (parent carer forum)

Full of Life is a parent carer forum for Kensington and Chelsea residents, run by parents of children with disabilities. It provides a support network and runs coffee mornings, training sessions, events and focus groups.

Telephone: 020 8962 9952
Email: familysupport@fulloflifekc.com
Website: Full of Life

Centre for ADHD and Autism Support

This organisation supports neurodivergent individuals and their families, both pre- and post-diagnosis.

Telephone: 020 8429 1552
Website: Centre for ADHD and Autism Support

Kensington and Chelsea local offer

The local offer provides information on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. Visit the Kensington and Chelsea SEND local offer .

Support for families living in Westminster

In this section

Support with communication

Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service

The Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH) speech and language therapy team sees children whose GP is in Westminster. They offer assessment and support for children with concerns about communication, language and/or interaction up to 5 years old, or until they start school.

The service aims to work with parents and carers and settings so they have the skills and knowledge to continue supporting their child. Evidence shows this approach helps achieve the best outcomes.

If your child has recently finished an episode of speech and language therapy support, with advice to practise strategies at home, you can contact the service after three months to discuss further support.

Speech and Language Therapy Administration Hub

020 7266 8777 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Resources

While you wait to be seen, here are some helpful resources:

Support with behaviour and emotional regulation

Cheyne Clinical Psychology EMBRACE group service

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology team, along with Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy and Specialist Nurses, runs the EMBRACE group for parents with children aged 0 to 7 years. This group focuses on understanding your child and making sense of their behaviour. For further information, please contact: chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net

Westminster parenting support

Westminster parenting support runs a range of parenting groups and courses across the borough. Courses aim to help parents and carers to:

  • Build positive relationships with your child
  • Make parenting and family life more enjoyable and less stressful
  • Grow confidence as a parent
  • Gain a greater understanding of child development
  • Learn new skills and strategies
  • Support your child to learn and grow
  • Reflect on your own experiences of being parented
  • Discover other support and services available to you and your family

South Westminster parenting offer

For further information on upcoming parenting programmes or workshops, please contact: earlyhelpparentingteam@westminster.gov.uk

National Autistic Society: behaviour guidance

Evidence-based information and resources on understanding and managing behavioural challenges associated with autism: National Autistic Society behaviour guidance

Support with sleep

The Sleep Charity

This charity provides advice and support on sleep. It runs online courses and a telephone helpline (03303 530 541) run by specialist trained sleep advisers: The Sleep Charity (children)

OT Support Hub

The Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy service provides online advice on sleep: OT Support Hub: sleep

Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology Team runs a sleep workshop for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 7, covering common sleep issues. For further information, contact: chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net

Cerebra

Cerebra provides information and one-to-one support through its sleep advice service: Cerebra sleep advice service

Cheyne sleep support webpage

For more information on sleep support, visit: Cheyne sleep support

Support with feeding

OT Support Hub

The Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy service provides online advice on feeding: OT Support Hub: eating

Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy Team

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy Team runs a group to help parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 with common feeding issues. For further information, contact: chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net

SOS Approach to Feeding (parent workshop)

This video gives an introductory overview of why feeding can be difficult and how to support children: SOS parent workshop: when children will not eat

National Autistic Society: eating

Information on feeding and eating difficulties: National Autistic Society: eating

Cheyne feeding support webpage

Please visit the Cheyne feeding support page: Cheyne support with eating

Support with toilet-training and self-care skills

OT Support Hub

Online advice on toileting: OT Support Hub: toileting

Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy Team

The Cheyne Clinical Psychology and Occupational Therapy Team runs a group to help parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 with common toileting issues. For further information, contact: chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net

ERIC: The Children’s Bowel and Bladder Charity

Advice and information on toilet training and common toileting problems: https://eric.org.uk/

National Autistic Society: toileting

Information on toilet training autistic children: National Autistic Society: toileting

Cheyne toileting support webpage

Further information is available here: Cheyne toilet training and continence support

Support with sensory processing

Please see our webpage on sensory processing difficulties for more detailed information: Sensory processing difficulties

Where to get more support

The OT Support Hub has more information on sensory needs: Sensory needs: OT Support Hub

Other helpful links (trusted, easy to read)

These websites explain sensory processing differences and provide practical strategies. Some include online training and local parent groups.

Nursery and school support

All nurseries and schools have a Special Educational Needs (SEN) budget to help meet the needs of children with additional needs. Most children’s needs can be met with this level of support. If you have concerns about how your child is coping at nursery or school, speak to your child’s key worker, class teacher or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo).

South Westminster Bi-Borough Autism Advisory Team

This team of specialist advisory teachers and an advisory occupational therapist works within educational settings in Westminster, including nursery, primary, secondary schools and colleges. They also provide input for private, voluntary and independent nurseries.

The team supports autistic children and young people by providing advice and support for schools and parents. They also support children and young people who are currently on the social communication pathway.

Training and booking queries

Please contact Saara Saarnio (BIS Service Development Officer): ssaarnio@westminster.gov.uk

Educational psychology service

Most schools have access to an educational psychologist who can provide support and advice around meeting individual children’s needs. This service is accessed via referrals from the school SENCo. If you have concerns, speak to the SENCo at your child’s school. The educational psychologist may consult with you and school staff and may observe and meet with your child, then jointly develop a support plan with the school.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

This service provides independent advice, information and guidance to parents on issues relating to Special Educational Needs and Disability. For further information, visit https://westminsteriass.co.uk/ or call 0207 641 5355. You can also email iass@westminster.gov.uk.

Parent support and voluntary organisations

Family hubs

Family hubs bring together support for families from pregnancy through to young people turning 19 (or 25 if they have a disability). There is a children’s centre in each family hub with activities for very young children and support for families with children of older ages.

Find your local family hub in Westminster: Westminster Family Hubs

South Westminster Bessborough Family Hub
1 Bessborough Street, London SW1V 2JD
Tel: 0207 641 5923

Things to do for under 5s: Activities for under 5s (Westminster)

Cheyne Child Development Service coffee mornings

The Cheyne team runs monthly coffee mornings for parents and carers of children and young people who are awaiting assessment or have recently been seen in the service. For further information, contact: chelwest.ccds.psychology@nhs.net

Make It Happen (parent carer forum)

Make It Happen (formerly Westminster Parent Participation Group, WPPG) provides a support network for parents of disabled children in Westminster, helping families gain and share information locally and nationally.

Visit https://wppg.org.uk/ or call 0207 641 2314. You can also email chair@wppg.org.uk or info@wppg.org.uk.

Centre for ADHD and Autism Support

Supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families pre- and post-diagnosis. Telephone: 020 8429 1552 Website: https://www.adhdandautism.org/

Westminster SEND Local Offer

The Westminster Local Offer provides information on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. Visit: Westminster Local Offer (SEND)