Online support and helplines for families with neurodivergent children

AFASIC

The AFASIC Parents’ helpline offers help and support for parents around your child’s speech, language and communication needs. It is open on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10:30am and 4pm.

Call 0300 666 9410

SENDIASS

The SENDIASS helpline provides information, advice and support to children and young people and their parents and carers up to the age of 25 who have, or may have, special educational needs and/or disabilities.

• Open Monday to Friday 10.00am – 3.00pm
• Call 0113 378502

If you do not get an answer, leave a voicemail and you will receive a response within 2 working days

National Autistic Society

The National Autistic Society has helplines for various topics including parent-to-parent emotional support, school exclusions, and support for the transition to adulthood. These can be found under ‘phone and email services’. They also house a directory of services supporting autistic people and their families.

Autism and ADHD Parent Support UK CIC

Autism and ADHD Parent Support UK have a ‘Facebook support community’ for parents/carers or a child with Autism or ADHD, as well as pre-diagnosis workshops for tips from fellow parents before or after your child’s neurodevelopmental assessment.

Autism Central

Autism Central offers a wealth of resources for parents, carers and personal assistants of autistic people in England – from articles and learning materials to signposting you to services and support in your local area.

Whole Autism Family

The Whole Autism Family is a charity offering help and support to families of a child who is or may be autistic. The ‘Self-care’ section of their website contains tips and important reminders for taking care of your own mental health and wellbeing

Carers Leeds

Carers Leeds offer advice and support online, via telephone and face-to-face for friends and family members who care for someone with any illness, mental health condition or disability, including neurodevelopmental conditions

Sibling support

YoungSibs provide information and advice for siblings of children with additional needs, through child-friendly articles and the ‘ask a sibling advisor’ feature.

Sleep Charity

Speak with a trained sleep advisor from the Sleep Charity on the National Sleep Helpline, available Sunday-Thursday 7pm – 9pm (excluding bank holidays) on 03303530541.

BBUK

Bladder and Bowel UK’s Bladder and Bowel helpline on 0161 214 4591 can provide general information, advice and signposting for bladder and bowel issues. The helpline can also be accessed online by filling in the form on their website.

Contact

Contact is a charity for families with disabled children. They offer information, workshops, and emotional support for family members. They have a helpline on 08088083555.

Scope

SCOPE has a range of family services including emotional and peer support.

The PACT Programme

The PACT programme (Parents And Children Together) works with mums or female carers who are experiencing a pattern of child to parent violence and abuse from their young people, developed by the Youth Justice Service (YJS).

AutistiCon

AutistiCon: A Leeds Autism Event is a free annual autism information event. It is held in Leeds and was formerly known as Bigger and Better in Leeds and the Leeds Autism Show.

Facebook Support Group

Links Peer Support offers sessions to families who have children with special educational needs and/or disability who experience anxiety-led distress behaviours. This fortnightly group provides a space for parent/carers to connect, share their worries and receive support.