ADHD medication supply disruption:
For the latest updates and information on the national supply shortage of medication prescribed to help manage ADHD symptoms, visit the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System website
Accessing support and resources
There are a wide range of local, national and international resources available for parents and carers who are supporting a child or young person with neurodevelopmental needs.
You may also wish to discuss your child’s needs with the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) at your child’s school or nursery.
Remember, your child does not need a medical diagnosis to access support.
Getting in touch with the Lighthouse: Please download our flyer for details on how you can get in touch with the Lighthouse Child Development Centre for repeat prescription requests or to share any questions or feedback.
Local support
Below is a list of local groups, websites, charities and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families/carers.
Essex Family Forum – Supporting your neurodiverse child: this pack is available to download, or you can request a hard copy: https://essexfamilyforum.org/resources/nd-pack
Essex Local Offer: the Local Offer provides information, advice and guidance on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0 to 25 and their families. https://send.essex.gov.uk/
Essex SENDIASS: SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) offer free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes information and processes related to health and social care. https://www.essexsendiass.co.uk/
Parent Carer Forums (Essex Family Forum): Parent Carer Forums are groups run by parents and carers of children from a local area in England. Their aim is to make sure that services in their area meet the needs of local disabled children and their families. https://essexfamilyforum.org/
Local Support Groups and Charities
Little Heroes: https://littleheroesasd.co.uk/
SEND the Right Message Charity (STRM): https://strmsupport.co.uk/
SAFE (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex): https://safeessex.org.uk/
SNAP Charity: https://www.snapcharity.org/
The MegaCentre Rayleigh: http://www.megacentrerayleigh.co.uk/
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) (Previously known as EWMHs) https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/set-camhs
Essex Family Forum – Supporting your neurodiverse child: this pack is available to download, or you can request a hard copy: https://essexfamilyforum.org/resources/nd-pack
Southend SEND Independent Forum – guide to your neurodevelopmental journey: https://www.southendsendindependentforum.co.uk/ndguide
Livewell Southend Local Offer: the Local Offer provides information, advice and guidance on local services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25 and their families. www.livewellsouthend.com/SENDLocalOffer
Southend SENDIASS: SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service) offer free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support service on issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). This includes information and processes related to health and social care. https://www.sendiasssouthend.co.uk/
Parent Carer Forums (Southend SEND Independent Forum): Parent Carer Forums are groups run by parents and carers of children from a local area in England. Their aim is to make sure that services in their area meet the needs of local disabled children and their families. https://www.southendsendindependentforum.co.uk/
Local Support Groups and Charities
Little Heroes: https://littleheroesasd.co.uk/
SEND the Right Message Charity (STRM): https://strmsupport.co.uk/
SAFE (Supporting Asperger Families in Essex): https://safeessex.org.uk/
SNAP Charity: https://www.snapcharity.org/
The MegaCentre Rayleigh: http://www.megacentrerayleigh.co.uk/
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent’s Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) (Previously known as EWMHs) https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/set-camhs
National support
Below is a list of national and international websites, charities and resources for children and young people with SEND and their families/carers.
Websites
The National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk – for advice on sensory issues visit www.autism.org.uk/sensory
Resources for Autism: a charity providing practical support suggestions for children and adults with ASD. www.resourcesforautism.org.uk
Tony Attwood Website: Useful articles, links to his published works, resources, and research https://tonyattwood.com.au/
Speech and Language UK: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/information-and-support/
Dimensions: a non-profit organisation which supports people with learning disabilities and people with autism to live the life they choose. https://dimensions-uk.org
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
Cerebra Sleep Advice Service: https://cerebra.org.uk/get-advice-support/sleep-advice-service/
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
The Abilities in Me – Gemma Keir and various. A series of picture books focussing on children with a variety of needs: ASD, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, speech delay, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, tube feeding and more.
Websites
ADDitude magazine – Inside the ADHD mind: www.additudemag.com
NHS: Living with ADHD: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/living-with/
The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service (ADDISS): http://www.addiss.co.uk/
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) https://chadd.org/about/
ADHD Kids http://adhdkids.org.uk/
Black Girl Lost Keys: Black Neurodivergent Resources https://blackgirllostkeys.com/
The ADHD Foundation https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
Young Minds – ADHD and mental health: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/adhd-and-mental-health
PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) – PDA Society https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
Smart but Scattered Teens: The “Executive Skills” Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential – Richard Guare and Peg Dawson – Book on how to teach your teenager the skills needed for success in school and beyond
All Dogs Have ADHD – Kathy Hoopmann – This book takes an inspiring and affectionate look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Women With ADHD: A Life-Changing Guide to Overcome the Hidden Struggles of Living with ADHD – Roberta Sanders – includes debunked myths and 15 effective tips to positively transform your live.
My Doctor Says I Have ADHD: A Child’s Journey – Dr C.R. Yemula – An interesting and informative story format, for children aged 6 to 12 years.
The Abilities in Me – Gemma Keir and various. A series of picture books focussing on children with a variety of needs: ASD, sensory processing disorder, ADHD, speech delay, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, tube feeding and more.
Websites
NHS: Tourette’s syndrome:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tourettes-syndrome/
Tourette’s Action: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/
A section specifically put together for young people: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/78-young-people.html
A comprehensive guide to Tourette’s for young people https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/storage/downloads/1487860486_TS–the-simple-truth—A-guide-to-TS-for-children-and-young-people.pdf.
They also have a ‘video wall’ – a collection of videos made by children and young people with Tourette’s syndrome: https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk/23-your-ts-videos.html
Tourette Association of America: https://tourette.org/
Dedicated sections on children (aged 0-12): https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/living-tourette-syndrome/children-with-tourette-0-12/ and teens (aged 13 to 17): https://tourette.org/about-tourette/overview/living-tourette-syndrome/teens-13-17/.
Resources for parents: https://tourette.org/resources/overview/tools-for-parents/
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/conditions-we-treat/tourette-syndrome
Mencap: provides support for people who have a learning disability https://www.mencap.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do
The Incredible Five Point Scale: can be useful for talking about and managing emotions. www.5pointscale.com
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/
Books
Piper Saves a Pigeon – Shannon Kernaghan (ages 6+)
Why do you do that? – Uttom Chowdhury and Mary Robertson (ages 8-16)
Nix your Tics! Eliminate Unwanted Tic Symptoms: A How-to Guide for Young People – Dylan McKinley (ages 10+)
Tic Talk: Living with Tourette Syndrome: A 9-Year-Old Boy’s Story in His Own Words – Dylan Peters (all ages)
The Tourette’s Survival Kit: Tools for Young Adults with Tics – Tara Murphy and Damon Millar (teens)
Can I Tell You About Tourette Syndrome? – Mal Leicester – ideal for people aged 7 and upwards, as well as parents, friends, teachers and other professionals working with children with Tourette’s syndrome.
Cerebra Charity https://www.youtube.com/user/cerebracharity/featured
Down’s Heart Group https://dhg.org.uk/
Down’s syndrome Association https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
Movement Matters www.movementmattersuk.org