Whether you are waiting for a formal diagnosis or your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, this provides a list of different types of support available to help meet your child's needs.
Children's Centres and Family Hubs
Children’s Centres and Family Hubs are places where families with children can go to meet other parents and carers in their community. They are free to access for local residents.
They offer support with a range of services for families as well as expectant parents. Staff will work with you and your family to give every child the best possible start in life and give you the support and advice you need, including:
- General parenting and parent’s general wellbeing
- Toilet training
- Safer sleep advice
- Dental care
- Behaviour management
- Support for families with additional needs
- Health services such as baby clinics, and development checks
- Activities to support school readiness, such as stay and play sessions
They are welcoming places where you can go if you need some extra support. They are experts in helping you find the support you need.
More information
Special educational needs and disability (SEND)
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can make it harder for children to develop and learn.
Health Visitors are often the first professionals to be involved in the identification and support of early years SEND.
The Local Offer
You can get some support and financial benefits from your local council. What's available depends on your situation.
For people under 25, ask your council about their "local offer".
This is the name for the support they provide for young people with special educational needs. It includes information from across the local area including education, health and care services.
Every council has to have a local offer.
SENDIASS
SENDIASS is the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service.
It’s a free, impartial, and confidential service offering information to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and to their parents and carers about education, health and social care.
There is a SENDIAS Service in every local authority in England.
You can also get advice about the local offer from your local special educational needs advice service. Find your nearest information, advice and support (IAS) service on the Council for Disabled Children website
Under 5s CAMHS support
The Under 5s Service offers specialist treatment and consultation to both parents and professionals aimed at improving the wellbeing of children under five years old.
The team consists of therapists who usually meet with families in Children’s Centres and Family Wellbeing Centres within Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon.
The service is for families, parents and carers whose children may experience the following issues:
- Difficulties sleeping
- Separation trouble, for example being overly clingy
- Relationship difficulties
- Bed wetting or soiling
- Behavioural difficulties for example excessive tantrums
- Eating issues
- Changes in mood and behaviour
- Being withdrawn or non-communicative
- Disruptive thoughts and worries
- Adjustment to new stages of family life; such as managing your toddlers move to independence and getting ready for nursery or school
- Difficulties feeling connected to your child, and understanding how to communicate with them and what they may be communicating with you
More information
We also work in partnership with other teams and services to support and help young people and their families.