Information for parents and carers

What to expect when your child has been referred?

Preparing for the assessment – A social story

Closer to the time of the assessment, you may find it helpful to give your child some information about the assessment. We have provided further information on preparing your child for the assessment through a social story here. 

What can I do while I am waiting for an assessment for social communication difficulties?

This information has been developed for parents and carers of children awaiting a social communication difficulties/autism assessment. The number of referrals to our service is steadily increasing, which has led to longer waiting times. This is a national problem affecting services across the UK. We know that this can be a stressful time for parents/carers, waiting for their child to be assessed. We have put together some information for you to support your child’s development while you wait.  We have included below some resources for specific concerns.

Understanding your child’s needs and seeking appropriate support

You may find it helpful to read about difficulties that your child is experiencing or attend workshops and courses. We have included below some resources for specific concerns.  

General advice and resource:

Local resources

• The borough has a dedicated Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service within the local council that provides advice and support for families. This includes signposting to appropriate services, individual support for families, and educational guidance for schools. Children and families on the pathway can access their workshops, coffee mornings and advice. Please note that the service only accepts referrals from schools / settings for targeted support Family Information Service | Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS)
• SEND in Mind is a local Wandsworth charity, which can help with advice for parents and carers. They are open to all children with additional needs Website/Contact – https://www.bwwmind.org.uk/send-in-mind/
• The Wandsworth Local Offer (Family Information Service | SEND Local Offer (wandsworth.gov.uk) https://fis.wandsworth.gov.uk/kb5/wandsworth/fsd/localoffer.page;jsessionid=F887004AEA793002E5738D8C164B3CEA?newfamilychannel=2 is a dedicated website to find out what other support/services are available locally. Many services are inclusive and do not require a diagnosis to be able to access them. There is lots of useful services and information on the Local Offer.
• If your GP is in Wandsworth, but you live in a different borough, you can look at your borough’s Local Offer, instead of Wandsworth. For example, the Merton Local offer, the Richmond & Kingston Local Offer

National Resources
There are several national charities and groups that have valuable information and resources.

• The National Autistic Society: The leading UK charity for people with Autism and their families. They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for people. Telephone: 0808 800 4104; website:  autism.org.uk
• Ambitious about Autism: The national charity for children and young people with autism. Their parent hub provides practical information and resources about autism. They also have an online community for adults with autism, parents and professionals. Website:  ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
• Autism Central is another resource that provides peer support as well as workshops. https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/

 Support for parents and carers

It is important to think about your own needs. This can be a stressful and lonely time for parents. Try to seek support from friends and family. If you are more isolated and do not have a not have a supportive social network, there are other services available that can provide support.

• The Wandsworth Autism Advisory Servies provides parent training and coffee mornings for parents of children diagnosed with autism or on the pathway. Further information can be found at Family Information Service | Parents and Carers
• The Wandsworth Parent Forum is run by a group of local parents and carers who all have children with special education needs or disabilities. The Forum helps to signpost parents to appropriate services and shares information through events such as coffee mornings sendpcwandsworth.org.uk

Education support

Speak to your child’s school about your concerns. Ask how your child is progressing and what support they have in place for your child. They may also be able to advise you on what approaches they have found useful at nursery or school, which you can try at home

Schools have a duty to support children and young people with emerging needs. Many supports and resources are available as part of the Ordinarily Available Provision Ordinarily Available Provision – Parent and carers guide | Wandsworth | Services for Schools

• If you require further support, WIASS provides confidential, impartial, information, advice and support to parents of children and young people (aged 0-25) on special educational needs and/or disability (SEND). Telephone: 020 8871 8065 (24-hour confidential answer machine), Email: wiass@wandsworth.gov.uk Services and websites that can help – Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service

Behaviour

If you are struggling with your child’s behaviour or other issues:

• Speak to your GP
• Contact your local children’s centre or the Early help team to support you in accessing a local parenting course: Early Help Services | Wandsworth | Services for Schools,  Family Information Service | Children’s Centres and Family Hubs
• CAMHS under 5’service Family Information Service | NHS CAMHS Under 5s Therapy
• Ask your school SENCO for advice on other resources and whether there are concerns in school and any methods/strategies that the school feels work for your child.
• You can refer yourself to WAAS (Wandsworth autism Advisory Service). Children and families on the pathway can access their workshops, coffee mornings and advice. Your child’s school also may wish to refer to WAAS for support in school: WAAS – Family Information Service | Wandsworth Autism Advisory Service (WAAS)
• The Challenging Behaviour Foundation: A charity for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges. They offer information about challenging behaviour both online and over the phone or email. Website:  challengingbehaviour.org.uk

Communication & language difficulties

• The Speech and Language Therapy team provide a service to pre-school children with speech, language, communication and/or swallowing difficulties.
• If your child is school age, please speak to their class teacher or the school’s special educational needs co-ordinator about supporting your child’s language and communication skills
• There are other websites you may find helpful but please remember we don’t control these sites, and their advice might not always be right for your child
  • The Hanen Centre – TalkAbility™ Program for Parents of Autistic Children
  • Home – Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
  • Home – Child Autism
  • ICAN CHARITY

Sleep

• Home – The Sleep Charity

Feeding

• A health professional, your child’s school SENCO or your GP can refer to the Wandsworth Community Feeding Service, if there are significant concerns about your child’s feeding. Our local feeding team provide Workshops and other services for children with feeding issues. Wandsworth Community Feeding Service – St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (stgeorges.nhs.uk)
• There are other websites you may find helpful but please remember we don’t control these sites, and their advice might not always be right for your child
  • childfeedingguide.co.uk
  • Parents | Child Feeding Guide

Toileting

• https://eric.org.uk/children-additional-needs/
• If your child is school age and not yet fully toilet trained, contact your child’s school nurse to access further support.