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ABOUT OUR CAUSE PACT for Autism is a charity providing support and connection for Autistic children and individuals, neurodiverse families, couples and carers of Autistic people young and old and other Neurodivergent conditions. We are a Neurodiverse community. We support people with or without a diagnosis. The charity was founded in 2012 by a group of parents who wanted to improve education, health and social care services, and provide families with opportunities to thrive within an inclusive society. Parents and lived exsperience remain at the heart of the charity. We provide support and information to enable all to feel empowered to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. Lived experience is at the heart of our board of Trustees, These insights and direct experiences help to shape the charity’s services, which include: Telephone Helpline Support Monthly Information & Support Meetings Family Activities Talks & Training Service for both families & professionals Annual Events to promote awareness, knowledge & strong working relationships (open to the public): Autism Talks Our Charity Ball Our aim is to improve living, working, social and leisure opportunities for autistic people of all ages and their families, where all can feel included and valued . PACT for Autism Promotional video Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share A short video showcase… Being a parent of a child with a disability can be isolating. At PACT for Autism, we pride ourselves on the wonderful friendships that we have formed over the years, giving us all the strength and belief to do the best we can for our children. Here is a short video which showcases our services, to families and will give you an insight into who we are and how we support the community.

Assessment / Diagnosis Rights and Support Health and Well Being Out and About Finance and Housing Resources Family and Carers Employment / Education Finance and Housing Helpful Links and information ​ ​ Benefits online calculator ​ ​ Citizens advice bureau Gov.uk Webpage and links to all benefits and financial help ​ MENCAP – Benefits, clear and easy read guides to benefits. ​ National Autistic Society Benefits advice​ ​ ​ Peabody - Essex outreach support service - support people over 16 who need support, guidance or advice around health, finances and housing. ​ Preparing for Adulthood - Giving Everyone Equal Life chances as they move into Adulthood​ ​

What's on at PACT? Wild 'n' Wacky Art Empower Gamers Cage Cuppa & Catch up Talks and Workshops Fundraising Ball

All PACT Community - Support and Information. Out of Office We will come back to you as soon as we can. 🙏 ​ Other contacts to support. ​ All links in blue will take you to the website described. ​ To learn about Autism. This website is aimed at young people but has clear information accessible for young people and adults. Autism understood ​ National Autistic Society ​ Urgent support ​ Families Crisis support for send families in Essex This opens in a webpage providing numbers and contacts to relevant services including CAMHS and social care. ​ For adults In case of health (physical or mental health) concerns please contact your GP, NHS 111 or if emergency 999 ​ Adult Social care : Telephone: 0345 603 7630 Textphone: 0345 758 5592 (Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 5pm Friday, 8:45am to 4:30pm) Out of hours telephone: 0345 606 1212 Email: socialcaredirect@essex.gov.uk ​ Information, helplines and support For families and young people Contact : Are a national organisation that provide a wide skill set and range of information, they have a chatbot on their website , a helpline and listening ear service , workshops and information around rights, benefits, and much more . 0-25 Freephone: 0808 808 3555 (Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5pm). SENDIASS ; Support and information around education and Social care helpline: 01245 204338. Families Infocus - Benefits and education advice/ support 01245 353575 Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm with a 24 hour answerphone helpline@fifessex.org.uk Supporting your Neurodiverse children – booklet Written by parents for parents and carers ​ West Essex Autism assessment JADES assessment pathway ​ Community 360 family support service ​ Shortbreaks – activities ​ Essex Local offer : Local guide to all services for send families with children and young people under 25years. - ​ For Adults / individuals ​ Local linked support or call 0333 013 0593 Linked support Facebook page , information sharing . ​ Diagnostic pathway and advocacy or call 01255 429778 ​ Peabody Offer support for adults in applying for benefits or housing concerns ​ Autistic Parents uk – peer support and information ​ Citizens advice ​ Adult Learning Disability team

Where do I begin? Where do I begin? Education Health & Wellbeing Family Support / Care Financial & Benefits Resources Other Useful Links If you have concerns about the development of your child or young person. ​ Begin by collecting together your own observations and concerns together with reports from nursery/school or any other people involved. Then speak with your G.P, Health visitor, Speech Therapist or other Health professional and ask them to refer your child or young person to the local Child Development Team. You can also call us at PACT on our Support line . If your child is in education you do not need a diagnosis to get support for them, your school or nursery should be working with you to record their strengths and needs and to provide support. Please scroll down to the Education section for further information. ​ Click below for further information on the JADES Diagnostic pathway: Journey of Autism Diagnosis and Early Support (JADES) ​ Our top websites to find a wide range of support, services and activities? . Local Offer - This is the local government run directory of Information about all services and local opportunities and activities for Children and young people up to 25 years with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). To find your Local Offer, type your county name and Local Offer into your search engine. Alternatively, click on one of the local links Essex Local Offer Hertfordshire Local Offer ​ National Autistic Society - All the most up to date information from diagnosis through to all sorts of services and useful information from Child to Adult. ​ Short Breaks - The Short Breaks programme is open to all children and young people who are aged between 0-25 (Please note some services post 19 will require a personal budget) and have a diagnosis of Special Educational Needs and/or a Disability. Providing support and a wide range of activities. Essex Short Breaks Hertfordshire Short Breaks ​ Contact - A national organisation with a wealth of information supporting families of Children and young people with SEND, from benefits through to education and clothing. Essex Child and Family wellbeing - Virgin care manages the Children’s Health and developmental health needs along with the family hubs/Children’s centres in Essex, the site has a wealth of information on therapy, services and ways to help your child/young person. ​ SNAP (Special needs and Parents) - An excellent easy to use resource to find activities, Parent and Professional courses/talks, and the services SNAP offers as well as an extensive local directory for Essex, aimed at families of children with SEND 0-25. ​ SPACE - a Hertfordshire based Charity supporting Parents/Carers of Children and young people on the Autistic Spectrum or a related condition ​ ​

Essex Short Breaks Clubs and Activities Please click on the links below in order to view/open/download the appropriate Forms. Essex Short Breaks Clubs and Activities

Kevin Gay Charity Manager Kevin joined the team in August 2019 as the new charity Manager. Although taking on a new role he is not a stranger to PACT Having been on the board of trustees for many years and fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve as Chair of the board, up to the time he took on his exciting new role. Married to Lisa, who was a founding member of PACT for Autism in 2005, they have two children. Kevin is the father to Callum who is now 21. Callum was diagnosed on the Autistic Spectrum when he was 5 and also has sensory processing challenges along with a learning disability. We have since found out, through a Genome project, that Callum also has a rare genetic syndrome ADNP Prior to working for PACT, Kevin spent 30 years working as a police officer with Essex police, finishing his career as a Police Inspector and building up 10 years of supervision and management skills and experience. Kevin is passionate about ensuring the Autistic community has a voice and is represented in all areas. He has worked hard to renew working partnerships and connections with other service providers, charities and organisations.

Please note that the following events are not run by PACT for Autism Continue to the event page and details of contact and booking details will be displayed. Thank you

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Health & Wellbeing Education Health & Wellbeing Family Support / Care Financial & Benefits Resources Other Useful Links ​ ​ Anna Freud Centre - The overarching aim of services is to build resilience and to help children, young people and families who are in distress. ​ Essex Child and Family Wellbeing HCRG care group manages the Children’s health and developmental health needs along with the family hubs/children’s centres in Essex, the site has a wealth of information on therapy, services and ways to help your child/young person. West Essex NHS Diagnostic service JADES If you are in West Essex this is the team that you will be referred to for assessment and therapy support for your child, the link is also a useful resource of information for anyone to use. Princess Alexandra Hospital (01279 444455) - You can contact the hospital in advance of your child attending appointments and ask for support/ seek advice on how the appointment can be best managed by asking to speak with the Children’s Matron or the Adults Autism and Learning difficulties team. ​ CAMHS – The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties If you have concerns about mental health of a young person then you can self-refer to this service. CAHMS – Hertfordshire – Child and Adolescent Mental Health service ​ Community 360 Family support service ​ SLAM / NHS South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust - Child and adolescent services relating to Autistic Spectrum conditions. Essex Children's Learning Disability service The Children’s Learning Disability Service (CLDS) is a multi-professional healthcare team who assess and treat children with moderate to severe learning disabilities who exhibit difficult to manage behaviours. There is also some excellent positive behaviour information leaflets on their webpage. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Assessment / Diagnosis Health and Well Being Rights and Support Out and About Employment / Education Resources Finance and Housing Family and Carers Assessment and Diagnosis If you would like to speak with or email someone then we have Support and Information Officers at PACT, who will be happy to chat with you on our Helpline or by email to help signpost you in the right direction or just to talk things through. ​ Your first step on a journey to seeking a diagnosis is to visit your GP, you could complete the Autism Quotient Form AQ-10 and take it with you. ​ You can call us to talk through what you may need to take with you or discuss with the GP Helpful Links and information ​ ​ The National Autistic Society - Dedicated area of their website to answer all your questions, it will tell you step by step what to do and what support you can get. The NHS - Clear information about Autism and guidelines of how to seek and what to expect from a diagnosis. ​ ​ ​​

Assessment / Diagnosis Rights and Support Health and Well Being Out and About Finance and Housing Resources Family and Carers Employment / Education Family and Carers Helpful Links and information ​ ​ Essex Carers Network ​ ​ National Autistic Society / Parents and Carers – Information for Parents and Carers ​ ​ National Autistic Society / Partners of Autistic Adults - Information for Partners of Autistic people. ​ NHS - The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over.