Parents and Families

This page is for you if you are :

Parent or Carer
Grandparent or other family member or friend
An Ally (An Ally is a person who amplifies Autistic rights for either an individual Autistic person they know, or for the Autistic community at large). You might be a grandparent, sibling, friend, colleague, neighbour, partner, other family member, or have many other roles in an Autistic person’s life.

If your family member is over 18 please take a look at our Adults and Allies page

What do PACT offer for Parents and Neurodiverse Families

Signpost will save you time and guide you to many useful services and organisations
Explore shares links and relevant information to develop your understanding from a lived experience perspective
What’s On at PACT page where our events, sessions and activities across all age ranges can be booked. We offer Parent / Care connect sessions, workshops , activities and more please feel welcome, siblings are welcome at our activities too
Connection opportunities

If you would like a more individual connection we can start with where you are now and explore together with you by connecting through email, phone or video, Contact PACT team to arrange this.

Looking after the whole family

Taking time for you and understanding how to balance family life alongside connecting with services, siblings and more this booklet is the best place to start - Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child. An invaluable introduction to understanding Neurodiversity and the services and support around you and your family.

Supporting Your ND Child Booklet

Essex Local Offer is a central online resource and signpost to a wide range of services for SEND families across Essex, including education, activities, and much more.

Autism Central Autism Central offers peer support and learn as you go resources.

Autistic Parents UK Autistic Parents UK are a great resource of information and peer support if you are Autistic or are considering if you are. with peer to peer support, a facebook group and webinars.

Education and Support

If your child is in education, you do not need a diagnosis to get support for them. Your school or nursery or education provider should be working with you to record their strengths and needs and to begin to provide support where needed. Every provider has a SENDCO ( special educational needs and disability co-ordinator). This is the person who co-ordinates support for your child / young person

If your child is out of school be that unable to attend school,home educated, EOTIS/C (Education other than in school/college) or through lack of school place or reduced timetable there are still ways to support.

Essex SEND IASS Offer impartial advice and guidance around education and social care

Families In Focus Offer guidance and support around education and benefits

Seeking Autism / ADHD assessment for a child under 18 years

If you're noticing differences in your child's or young person’s development, it's important to gather your own observations, along with any reports/ information from their nursery, school, or other people involved.
Once you have this information, speak with your GP, health visitor, school nurse,school, speech therapist, or another healthcare professional and request a referral to your local Assessment team - in West Essex this is known as the JADES pathway.

Journey to Autism Diagnostic Service (JADES) Essex Child & Family Wellbeing Service Information on what happens, services and support along the way.

ADHD Assessment in West Essex The provider for the NHS children’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Service in West Essex which includes Harlow, Epping and Uttlesford District

Assessment and Diagnosis National information on right to choose, NHS and private assessments.