Support for neurodevelopmental disorders

Resources and information

These organisations help and support children, young people, and families with Neurodevelopmental Disorders such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyspraxia, Learning Disorders and Disabilities.

A child does not need a medical diagnosis in order to gain support from any service or from education. Services should support a child whilst they are on the assessment waiting list.

You may find the information and advice from these organisations helpful while your child is awaiting their assessment

Autism Anglia (East Anglia)

Supporting families with autistic children to navigate clinical and non-clinical services, including diagnosis, health, educational, social, and financial support.

Autism Anglia website (Opens in a new window).

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (Essex)

Neurodevelopmental Pathway Coordinators support ages 0-25 with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Autism, ADHD, and Dyspraxia, providing consistent individualised information, resources, and support.

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing website (Opens in a new window).

Families in Focus (Essex)

Providing advice, support, and information to families with SEND children on education, disability benefits and other areas of support.

Delivering weekend activity clubs in Colchester and Chelmsford for SEND children and their siblings.

Families in Focus website (Opens in a new window).

The MAZE Group (North East Essex)

The Maze Group have a unique approach to SEND which offers insights into how children with additional needs experience the world. They have free monthly coffee mornings in Colchester, Clacton-on-Sea, Mistley and Harwich. They have a specialist weekly programme available online through a video series and face-to-face in Colchester, Clacton, and Harwich.

The Maze Group also offer a course on navigating the SEND system.

They also provide specialist support for parents who have additional needs. Their aim is to guide, advise and support you for as long as you need.

The MAZE Group website (Opens in a new window)

Essex Family Forum (Essex)

A Parent Carer Forum (PCF) which ensures services in their area meet their needs and improve outcomes of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Share your experiences via the online Graffiti Wall on the website.

Essex Family Forum website (Opens in a new window).

Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child – Essex Family Forum Resource Pack

Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child is a pack that is available to all parents and carers. The pack has  information about Neurodiversity and the process of how it is diagnosed. There is information about support for your child at school, your child’s sensory needs and emotional regulation.

You can download the pack from the Essex Family Forum website, or you can make a request for a paper copy to be delivered to you.