ASD
Support
The NDP team assesses children and young people for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ASD: Support for Children and Families
Understanding Autism
All Age Autism Support Service
Contact for Families with Disabled Children
A film about what autism is.
Understanding Autism
You may wish to explore some books which may help in considering how best to talk about this new diagnosis; examples include:
- I am Utterly Unique: Celebrating the Strengths of Children with Asperger Syndrome and High-functioning Autism by Elaine Marie Larson
- Different Like Me: My Book of Autism Heroes by Jennifer Elder .
An information sheet for the family regarding sharing an autism diagnosis is also available on the National Autistic Society website.
The website for Autism Education Trust has information in a range of formats, including film blogs of young people's experiences of receiving their diagnosis.
Food and Diet
Autism West Midlands: Food and Diet
BCHC Occupational Therapy Service
Paediatric physiotherapy (PT) is the treatment, by physical means, of conditions seen in children, which affect or compromise normal childhood development.
Sleep
Education
AET is a not for profit programme led by two national autism charities – the National Autistic Society and Ambitious about Autism. Established and supported by the Department for Education, the AET promotes and supports partnerships throughout the education system to improve educational access, experience and outcomes for children and young people with autism.
This is Birmingham City Council's website for all of their SEN services including educational support and information. Here, you will find help, advice and information for children or young people with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND). You can also find information on Education Healthcare Plans (EHCP) and Communication and Autism Team (CAT) on this site. Please note, you can select the language displayed by using the drop-down in the top left-hand corner of the site.
Birmingham Communication and Autism
Resources and support for transitioning children and young people with autism back into their school/ setting after COVID-19 lockdown.
Many autistic children find transitions difficult, especially the transition from primary to secondary school. Careful consideration should be given to what support they may need before, during and after the transition. This can be discussed with the SENCO at your current school and the SENCO at the new secondary school, once this has been identified. Transition support may include extra visits, visual supports, any summer school activities offered etc In relation to secondary transition, there is a very useful document entitled Children with Autism Accessing the Curriculum at Key Stage 3 and 4 , which can be downloaded free and contains subject-specific guidance (this can also be found by a Google search for the document title).
Birmingham SENDIASS offers impartial information, advice and support to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
Children’s Services – Education and Children Social Services
Birmingham Children's Services (0121 303 1888): information about Birmingham schools including school places & regarding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).
South and City Birmingham College
South and City Birmingham College (0121 694 5000 or 0800 111 6311): educational support for young people who have ADHD.
The Prince’s Trust Birmingham – Personal development programme
Prince's Trust (0800 842 842): help for 13 — 25 year olds to work towards their personal goals.
National Citizen Service (0800 197 8010): a four-phase programme for 15-17 year olds designed to provide new experiences.
Queen Alexandra College – a national college for learners with disabilities
Queen Alexandra College (0121 428 5050): support and guidance for students on the Autistic spectrum (including Asperger’s syndrome), with moderate to severe learning difficulties students, with physical disabilities and those with other needs.
Birmingham School Exclusions Team
Birmingham School Exclusions Team (0121 3032 685): learning support when children are excluded.
Pupil and School Support Service (PSS)
The Pupil and School Support Service (PSS) has created a range of free resources to support parents with home education for SEND pupils and they can be contacted directly through the website.
Communication and Autism Team (Birmingham City Council)
Email the Communication & Autism Team that provide support for Birmingham schools and parenting support groups.
Mental Health
Mental Health Support for Young People Leaflet
NCMH (National Centre for Mental Health)
This organisation brings together world-leading researchers to learn more about the triggers and causes of mental health problems. Their website gives information on conditions like ADHD and medication used to manage it.
Mental health charity that makes short films and fact sheets about conditions like ADHD.
Well Being
Help for all families: leaflet with useful advice and links.
All Saints Youth Project (0121 4431842) falls under the umbrella of All Saints Community Projects, whose overall purpose is to provide services and facilities to improve the social welfare and health of people in Birmingham.
Birmingham Carers Hub: info and advice - Tel 0333 006 9711, email info@birminghamcarershub.org.uk.
Online advice guide and community directory.
Anxiety Canada provides self-help resources, programs and services for children, youth, adults and educators on anxiety.
Support Groups
General Health
Health information and advice.
Some children with neurodevelopmental disorders may have physical conditions which require Physiotherapy input please see the Physiotherapy service pages for more details.
Birmingham Forward Steps
Supplies information for all health and wellbeing services for children aged 0-5 in Birmingham. Including Health Visitors. A wide range of services for children. Telephone: 0121 466 6000 (main switchboard, ask for the service you require).
National charity dedicated to improving children's bowel and bladder health.
Other conditions that affect autistic people.
Behaviour
Help with behaviour management. Telephone: 0808 8002222.
Youth Offending Service (Birmingham)
Telephone: 0121 464 0600. Based at Kingsmere, 18 Gravelly Hill North, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6BQ.
Understanding Behaviour in Autistic Children booklet.
National Autistic Association: sensory differences
Information, strategies and tips for coping with sensory differences
Paediatric occupational therapists support children and young people to carry out activities they need, want, or are expected to do, but are prevented from doing due to impairments, injuries or developmental conditions.
Autism and Sensory Issues resource.
Financial Support
A national charity that helps people in financial hardship access support services, benefits and charitable grants.
Can provide families with a once a year payment to help with the purchase of essential items such as a washing machine etc.
Contact for Families with Disabled Children
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Telephone: 0800 1214600.
Other Useful Services
Identifies local amenities that are accessible to children with additional needs.
Tourettes support for young people.
An excellent resource for educators.
Safety Concerns
Support for families. Contact 0121 303 1888 if a child or young person is at risk of harm.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ( NSPCC)
Support for children, young people, parents, families and professionals.
POhWER Advocacy Service (0300 4562370) ensures procedures are followed by health and social care services; offers advice and support with letter writing.
Safety Concerns
Support for families. Contact 0121 303 1888 if a child or young person is at risk of harm.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ( NSPCC)
Support for children, young people, parents, families and professionals.
POhWER Advocacy Service (0300 4562370) ensures procedures are followed by health and social care services; offers advice and support with letter writing.
Suggested reading
- Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals: 3rd Edition by Angie Voss
- Uniquely Human by Barry Prizant
- An Early Start for Your Child with Autism: Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn
- Autism: understanding behaviour by Caroline Hattersley
- It Can Get Better: Dealing with Common Behaviour Problems in Young Children by Paul Dickinson and Liz Hanna
- Autism: Talking About a Diagnosis – A Guide for Parents and Carers of Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by Rachel Pike
- My Family is Different: a W orkbook for Children with a Brother or Sister on the Autism Spectrum
- My Friend Sam: a Story About Introducing a Child with Autism to Nursery School by Liz Hannah
- Food Refusal and Avoid ant Eating in Children by Gillian Harris a n d Elizabeth Shea
Females on the Spectrum
- Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents and Professionals Should Know About the Pre-Teen and Teenage Years by Shana Nichols
- Aspergirls: Empowering Females With Asperger Syndrome by Rudy Simone
- I am Aspien Girl: the Unique Characteristics, Traits and Gifts of Females on the Autism Spectrum by Tania A. Marshall
- Asperger's and Girls: World-Renowned Experts Join Those with Asperger's Syndrome to Resolve Issues That Girls and Women Face Every Day! by Tony Attwood, Temple Grandin et al.
- Life on the Autism Spectrum - A Guide for Girls and Women by Karen McKibbin
- Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Overcoming the Challenges and Celebrating the Gifts by Eileen Riley-Hall
- Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age by Sarah Hendricks
The Girl with The Curly Hair by Alis Rowe. A project to support people on the autistic spectrum and those around them. Alis has written a series of books which include:
- Asperger's Syndrome in 13-16 Year Olds: by the girl with the curly hair: Volume 2 (The Visual Guides)
- Asperger's Syndrome and Anxiety: by the girl with the curly hair: Volume 8 (The Visual Guides)
- Asperger's Syndrome Meltdowns and Shutdowns: by the girl with the curly hair: Volume 3 (The Visual Guides)
- Asperger's Syndrome: Social Energy: by the girl with the curly hair: Volume 5 (The Visual Guides)
If you are worried about your child, please note this is not an emergency or mental health crisis service.
If you notice your child’s health is deteriorating or your child is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.
If you need urgent help for your child's health call 111, contact your GP for further advice or contact Forward Thinking Birmingham Crisis line on 0300 300 0099 for issues relating to mental health.