Support while you wait: Autism resources
Working with our participation groups and the Parent Carer Forum, we have put together a list of resources that you may find helpful while waiting for an autism assessment.
What is autism? | Ambitious about Autism is a useful website to explore and further one’s understanding of Autism.
The National Autistic Society are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. They provide support, guidance and advice on understanding autism, receiving a diagnosis, communication, mental health, education and more.
Leap Workshops: SEND workshops in Devon for Families & Professionals
Neuro Helpline: Neurodiversity pathway advice line – Children and Family Health Devon (Hyperlink)
Parent Carer Forum Devon: Parent Carer Forum Devon
North Devon Forum: North Devon Forum for Autistic Spectrum Conditions and ADHD | Facebook
Esteem Team: Community offer | Esteemteam
Seaton Parent/Carer Autism Support Group meet on the last Monday of the month, 1:30-3:00 pm at the Re:Store Café (formerly Seaton Waffle. For more information, visit the Seaton Parent/Carer & Adult Autism support group page on Facebook or contact Danni directly by emailing her danielle.stapley@hotmail.com
Cranbrook Community Support project is for families with children who have additional needs. The aim is to provide a support group in a safe place where parents can meet other parents, share their experiences, and talk with others in a similar situation. cranbrooksendproject@btinternet.com
Ivybridge, South Brent & Buckfastleigh Parent Carers SEND Coffee Mornings; Drop in any time between 9:30 and 11:30 for a supportive chat and a treasure trove of good advice. For more information please email ivybrentbuck@gmail.com
Neurodiverse Parent Support Group • Community Links SW CIC based in Okehampton, second Thursday of the month run a support group for parents of neurodivergent children including autism in West Devon, and offers face to face meetings.
Early Help (Devon) is the extra support your family can get if you need it. It may be that you want to prevent a problem, or change things for your family before the problem becomes more serious. It is not a specific service or team, it’s an approach that brings together people from a range of services and teams who will work together with your whole family to help improve the situation for everyone. It can offer support to families from pre-birth to adolescents with all sorts of issues from parenting, employment and school attendance to emotional wellbeing or anti-social behaviour.
Devon Graduated Response is an electronic tool to support teachers and SENCO’s to identify, assess and record the needs of children and young people requiring special educational provision. It supports the planning and recording of appropriate provision and provides guidance for reviewing progress.
Autism Central for Parents and Carers | Autism Central has a wide range of useful resources, information and signposting, 1:1 peer support and other events.
SENDIASS (Torbay) provide information, advice and support for young people and parents/carers of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities aged 0-25. Their service is confidential, impartial and free, and can be accessed by parents/carers or children and young people seeking advice and information around all aspects of education, health and social care. More information can be found on their website at http://sendiasstorbay.org.uk/ or you can call the service on 01803 210371.
DIAS Home – Devon Information Advice and Support (devonias.org.uk) Devon Information Advice and Support for Special Educational Needs and Disability (DIAS) have a dedicated team offering legally based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They support children and young people with SEND, and their parents and carers. Their service is impartial and confidential, offering a range of support such as understanding more about SEND support, developing good relationships with professionals, preparing well for meetings, expressing your and your child’s views and support to understand the paperwork. DIAS can be contacted via telephone, 01392 383080 or via email on their webpage, devonias@devon.gov.uk
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) offers free and independent legally based information, resources, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers, professionals and other organisations.
CEDA- Community Equality Disability Action – CEDA, Disability Action (cedaonline.org.uk) supports families and professionals caring for children and young people with Neurological differences such as Autism and ADHD/ADD. Provide groups or 1:1 enabling sessions for children and young people to access. *Please note that this organisation charges for the services it offers but funding is available through social care.
At Your Side (calmerlives.co.uk) – Formerly known as BIS-Net. Support families and professionals caring for children and young people with Neurological differences such as ASC, PDA, ADHD/ADD. Offer consultations to parents and professionals to develop a deeper understanding around the ‘why’ of behaviour and, in turn, be able to effectively support de-escalation and calm through both pro-active and reactive tool kits. *Please note that this organisation charges for some of the services it provides. Funding is available through Early Help.
