Resources that Support Children and Young People of All Ages

Essex Family Forum

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child is a comprehensive, parent‑led guide, written by parents, for parents, and supported by Essex County Council. It brings together practical advice, lived experience, and trusted information to help families understand, support and advocate for their neurodivergent children from early childhood through to adulthood.

Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child

The Henen Centre

The Hanen Centre is an international, not‑for‑profit organisation that supports parents and professionals to help young children develop communication, social and early literacy skills through everyday interactions. Their approach is grounded in research and focuses on empowering parents as their child’s most important communication partners.

While Hanen is not autism‑only, many of its programmes and resources are widely used with autistic and other neurodivergent children, particularly in the early years.

The Hanen Centre

The Donaldson Trust

The Donaldson Trust offers clear, inclusive information to help families understand neurodiversity, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodivergent differences. Their neurodiversity pages explain what neurodiversity means, promote a strengths‑based approach, and recognise that support can be helpful with or without a formal diagnosis. The content is informed by neurodivergent people, families and professionals and focuses on understanding, acceptance and inclusion.

The Donaldson Trust /Neurodiversity

BBC - Newsround

Let's learn more about Neurodiversity videos, stories and ideas to help children with a neurodiversity.

BBC Newsround - What is neurodiversity, how do we celebrate it, and what does neurodivergent mean?

Parent Club Scotland

Parent Club Scotland offers clear, reassuring information to help parents understand neurodiversity and talk to children about differences in the way people think, learn and experience the world. Their guidance covers common neurodivergent profiles, how to spot possible signs, how to explain neurodiversity to your child, and how to get the right support at school. The content is practical, positive and suitable for parents who are just starting to explore these conversations.

Parentclub - Children and Neurodiversity

Parenting Special Children (PSC)

Parenting Special Children supports parents and carers of children and young people with neurodiversity, SEND or early life trauma. PSC is largely parent‑led, combining lived experience with professional expertise. Support includes a telephone helpline, parent courses, workshops, support groups and practical resources, all focused on building understanding, reducing crisis and promoting family wellbeing.

Parenting Special Children

Action for Children (Parent Talk)

Action for Children (Parent Talk) offers clear, practical advice to help parents understand neurodiversity and support children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other SEND needs. Their guidance includes recognising when a child may need extra support, understanding diagnosis pathways, and practical help with school support, EHCPs and everyday family life. The information is easy to read and designed to support parents at every stage.

Parents Action for Children / Neurodiversity

Hampshire SENDIASS

Hampshire SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice for parents and carers of children who are neurodivergent. Their neurodiversity resources explain different neurodivergent profiles, promote a neuro‑affirming approach, and offer practical guidance on SEN support in school, reasonable adjustments and EHCPs. Support is available whether or not your child has a formal diagnosis.

Hampshire SENDIASS Neurodiversity

Hampshire Libraries - Books to help children understand disability and neurodiversity

Hampshire Libraries have put together a thoughtful list of children’s books about disability and neurodiversity, organised by age. Sharing stories can help children understand differences, feel less alone, and open up conversations about autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences in a gentle, age‑appropriate way. The books are available to borrow from local libraries.

When a Book Might Help / Disability and Neurodiversity

Essex Family Forum

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child is a comprehensive, parent‑led guide, written by parents, for parents, and supported by Essex County Council. It brings together practical advice, lived experience, and trusted information to help families understand, support and advocate for their neurodivergent children from early childhood through to adulthood.

Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child

The Henen Centre

The Hanen Centre is an international, not‑for‑profit organisation that supports parents and professionals to help young children develop communication, social and early literacy skills through everyday interactions. Their approach is grounded in research and focuses on empowering parents as their child’s most important communication partners.

While Hanen is not autism‑only, many of its programmes and resources are widely used with autistic and other neurodivergent children, particularly in the early years.

The Hanen Centre

The Donaldson Trust

The Donaldson Trust offers clear, inclusive information to help families understand neurodiversity, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodivergent differences. Their neurodiversity pages explain what neurodiversity means, promote a strengths‑based approach, and recognise that support can be helpful with or without a formal diagnosis. The content is informed by neurodivergent people, families and professionals and focuses on understanding, acceptance and inclusion.

The Donaldson Trust /Neurodiversity

BBC - Newsround

Let's learn more about Neurodiversity videos, stories and ideas to help children with a neurodiversity.

BBC Newsround - What is neurodiversity, how do we celebrate it, and what does neurodivergent mean?

Parent Club Scotland

Parent Club Scotland offers clear, reassuring information to help parents understand neurodiversity and talk to children about differences in the way people think, learn and experience the world. Their guidance covers common neurodivergent profiles, how to spot possible signs, how to explain neurodiversity to your child, and how to get the right support at school. The content is practical, positive and suitable for parents who are just starting to explore these conversations.

Parentclub - Children and Neurodiversity

Parenting Special Children (PSC)

Parenting Special Children supports parents and carers of children and young people with neurodiversity, SEND or early life trauma. PSC is largely parent‑led, combining lived experience with professional expertise. Support includes a telephone helpline, parent courses, workshops, support groups and practical resources, all focused on building understanding, reducing crisis and promoting family wellbeing.

Parenting Special Children

Action for Children (Parent Talk)

Action for Children (Parent Talk) offers clear, practical advice to help parents understand neurodiversity and support children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other SEND needs. Their guidance includes recognising when a child may need extra support, understanding diagnosis pathways, and practical help with school support, EHCPs and everyday family life. The information is easy to read and designed to support parents at every stage.

Parents Action for Children / Neurodiversity

Hampshire SENDIASS

Hampshire SENDIASS provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice for parents and carers of children who are neurodivergent. Their neurodiversity resources explain different neurodivergent profiles, promote a neuro‑affirming approach, and offer practical guidance on SEN support in school, reasonable adjustments and EHCPs. Support is available whether or not your child has a formal diagnosis.

Hampshire SENDIASS Neurodiversity

Hampshire Libraries - Books to help children understand disability and neurodiversity

Hampshire Libraries have put together a thoughtful list of children’s books about disability and neurodiversity, organised by age. Sharing stories can help children understand differences, feel less alone, and open up conversations about autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent experiences in a gentle, age‑appropriate way. The books are available to borrow from local libraries.

When a Book Might Help / Disability and Neurodiversity

Autism Central

Autism Central is England’s National Peer Education Programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages. It’s core purpose is to provide education, coaching and connection for families.

Autism Central is designed to be a consistent, trusted source of support across England. A defining feature of Autism Central is that support is peer‑led. This means education and coaching are delivered by people with lived or family experience of autism,

Autism Central offers confidential, personalised one‑to‑one coaching sessions with trained peer guides. These sessions can support parents and carers to:

talk through current challenges,
reflect on family dynamics,
understand options and next steps,
receive practical guidance and signposting.

Autism Central - England's Peer Education Programme

National Autistic Society (NAS)

The UK’s leading autism charity, providing advice, information, advocacy, and services for autistic children, young people, and their families. NAS also runs a directory of local autism services, specialist schools, and support groups.

National Autism Society

Ambitious about Autism

Supports autistic children and young people aged 0–25, focusing on education, employment, and independence. They provide schools, colleges, youth networks, and guidance for parents and carers.

Ambitious about Autism

Child Autism UK

Provides practical support, advice, training, and a helpline for families of autistic children, including those awaiting a diagnosis. They support parents, schools, and professionals across the UK.

Child Autism UK

Autism Central

Autism Central is England’s National Peer Education Programme for families and support networks of autistic people of all ages. It’s core purpose is to provide education, coaching and connection for families.

Autism Central is designed to be a consistent, trusted source of support across England. A defining feature of Autism Central is that support is peer‑led. This means education and coaching are delivered by people with lived or family experience of autism,

Autism Central offers confidential, personalised one‑to‑one coaching sessions with trained peer guides. These sessions can support parents and carers to:

talk through current challenges,
reflect on family dynamics,
understand options and next steps,
receive practical guidance and signposting.

Autism Central - England's Peer Education Programme

National Autistic Society (NAS)

The UK’s leading autism charity, providing advice, information, advocacy, and services for autistic children, young people, and their families. NAS also runs a directory of local autism services, specialist schools, and support groups.

National Autism Society

Ambitious about Autism

Supports autistic children and young people aged 0–25, focusing on education, employment, and independence. They provide schools, colleges, youth networks, and guidance for parents and carers.

Ambitious about Autism

Child Autism UK

Provides practical support, advice, training, and a helpline for families of autistic children, including those awaiting a diagnosis. They support parents, schools, and professionals across the UK.

Child Autism UK

Pathological Demand Avoidance, often shortened to PDA, is a profile of autism where a child experiences an overwhelming sense of anxiety when they feel demanded, pressured, or controlled – even by everyday things they might actually want to do.

This isn’t about being naughty, stubborn or manipulative. It’s about how their nervous system reacts to feeling unsafe or trapped.

What does PDA look like in real life?

Children and young people with a PDA profile may:

Struggle with everyday requests like getting dressed, going to school, or brushing teeth
Appear very sociable but find expectations in relationships overwhelming
Use distraction, humour, negotiation, or refusal to avoid demands
Have intense emotional reactions when pressured
Want control over their environment and decisions
Avoid even things they enjoy if they feel expected to do them

Often, these behaviours get labelled as “defiance” or “oppositional”, when they are actually panic responses.

Why do demands feel so hard?

For a child with PDA, demands trigger anxiety, and anxiety triggers avoidance.

This can include:

Direct demands (“Put your coat on”)
Indirect demands (“It’s cold outside…”)
Even internal demands (“I need the toilet”, “I’m hungry”)

When anxiety rises too high, the child’s brain goes into survival mode – they are not able to reason, comply, or “try harder” in those moments.

What helps a child with PDA?

PDA support focuses on reducing pressure, building trust, and increasing a sense of choice and safety, rather than enforcing compliance.

Helpful approaches often include:

Using indirect, low‑pressure language
Offering real choices and collaboration
Reducing unnecessary demands
Prioritising emotional regulation over behaviour
Focusing on relationship and trust first
Accepting flexibility rather than rigid routines

Traditional reward and consequence systems usually don’t work and can increase distress.

Children with PDA are often:

Creative, empathetic and insightful
Deeply sensitive to others’ emotions
Strong‑willed because they are protecting themselves
Able to thrive when they feel safe, understood and respected

With the right understanding and support, things really can improve – both at home and in school.

Where can I find out more?

PDA Society - Pathological Demand Avoidance

The PDA Society is the only UK charity specialising in a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile of autism. Its mission is to make life easier for people with a PDA profile by building awareness and understanding, and by providing information, training and personalised support for families and professionals.

The organisation is widely recognised as a key source of support for families whose children struggle with extreme demand avoidance, anxiety and loss of autonomy, often misunderstood as defiance or poor behaviour.

National Autistic Society (NAS)

NAS provides balanced, evidence-informed guidance on demand avoidance.
Helpful for schools needing reputable, cautious guidance that still acknowledges PDA experiences.

Neurodiversity Support UK

Offers trauma-informed, neuroaffirming PDA coaching and family support.
Strong focus on nervous‑system safety rather than behaviour management.
Particularly useful for parents feeling blamed or misunderstood.

Action for Children – Parent Talk (PDA guidance)

Accessible, parent‑friendly advice around recognising and supporting children with PDA traits.
Well aligned with SEND and family support services.

PDA Resources (international)

Curated resources for families and professionals including EHCP, DLA and education guidance.
Practical rather than diagnostic.

Pathological Demand Avoidance, often shortened to PDA, is a profile of autism where a child experiences an overwhelming sense of anxiety when they feel demanded, pressured, or controlled – even by everyday things they might actually want to do.

This isn’t about being naughty, stubborn or manipulative. It’s about how their nervous system reacts to feeling unsafe or trapped.

What does PDA look like in real life?

Children and young people with a PDA profile may:

Struggle with everyday requests like getting dressed, going to school, or brushing teeth
Appear very sociable but find expectations in relationships overwhelming
Use distraction, humour, negotiation, or refusal to avoid demands
Have intense emotional reactions when pressured
Want control over their environment and decisions
Avoid even things they enjoy if they feel expected to do them

Often, these behaviours get labelled as “defiance” or “oppositional”, when they are actually panic responses.

Why do demands feel so hard?

For a child with PDA, demands trigger anxiety, and anxiety triggers avoidance.

This can include:

Direct demands (“Put your coat on”)
Indirect demands (“It’s cold outside…”)
Even internal demands (“I need the toilet”, “I’m hungry”)

When anxiety rises too high, the child’s brain goes into survival mode – they are not able to reason, comply, or “try harder” in those moments.

What helps a child with PDA?

PDA support focuses on reducing pressure, building trust, and increasing a sense of choice and safety, rather than enforcing compliance.

Helpful approaches often include:

Using indirect, low‑pressure language
Offering real choices and collaboration
Reducing unnecessary demands
Prioritising emotional regulation over behaviour
Focusing on relationship and trust first
Accepting flexibility rather than rigid routines

Traditional reward and consequence systems usually don’t work and can increase distress.

Children with PDA are often:

Creative, empathetic and insightful
Deeply sensitive to others’ emotions
Strong‑willed because they are protecting themselves
Able to thrive when they feel safe, understood and respected

With the right understanding and support, things really can improve – both at home and in school.

Where can I find out more?

PDA Society - Pathological Demand Avoidance

The PDA Society is the only UK charity specialising in a PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) profile of autism. Its mission is to make life easier for people with a PDA profile by building awareness and understanding, and by providing information, training and personalised support for families and professionals.

The organisation is widely recognised as a key source of support for families whose children struggle with extreme demand avoidance, anxiety and loss of autonomy, often misunderstood as defiance or poor behaviour.

National Autistic Society (NAS)

NAS provides balanced, evidence-informed guidance on demand avoidance.
Helpful for schools needing reputable, cautious guidance that still acknowledges PDA experiences.

Neurodiversity Support UK

Offers trauma-informed, neuroaffirming PDA coaching and family support.
Strong focus on nervous‑system safety rather than behaviour management.
Particularly useful for parents feeling blamed or misunderstood.

Action for Children – Parent Talk (PDA guidance)

Accessible, parent‑friendly advice around recognising and supporting children with PDA traits.
Well aligned with SEND and family support services.

PDA Resources (international)

Curated resources for families and professionals including EHCP, DLA and education guidance.
Practical rather than diagnostic.

ADHD UK

ADHD UK is a national UK charity dedicated to supporting people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan, including children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. Its work focuses on information, community support, advocacy and awareness‑raising, with a strong emphasis on lived experience and reducing stigma.

ADHD UK does not provide diagnosis or clinical treatment; instead, it helps families understand ADHD, navigate systems, and feel less alone.

ADHD UK

ADHD and You

ADHD and You is a UK‑based information website designed to help people understand ADHD across the lifespan, including children, young people, adults, parents, carers and educators. The site provides clear, structured educational information about ADHD, how it presents, and why diagnosis and treatment can be important.

ADHD and You

Healthier Together (NHS)

Healthier Together provides clear, reassuring information about ADHD written specifically for young people. The page explains what ADHD is, common signs and strengths, ways to manage day‑to‑day challenges, and how to get help from school or health services. It can be helpful for parents who want a trusted NHS resource to share with their child, or to support conversations about focus, emotions and wellbeing.

Healthier Together / ADHD

Hampshire CAMHS

Hampshire CAMHS provides detailed information about ADHD, including how difficulties are understood at different levels of need, what support can be offered before referral, and when an ADHD assessment through CAMHS may be appropriate. Although this page is written for professionals, it can help parents understand the local ADHD pathway, what schools and services are expected to do, and what support should be in place while waiting for assessment.

Hampshire CAMHS / ADHD

ADHD UK

ADHD UK is a national UK charity dedicated to supporting people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan, including children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. Its work focuses on information, community support, advocacy and awareness‑raising, with a strong emphasis on lived experience and reducing stigma.

ADHD UK does not provide diagnosis or clinical treatment; instead, it helps families understand ADHD, navigate systems, and feel less alone.

ADHD UK

ADHD and You

ADHD and You is a UK‑based information website designed to help people understand ADHD across the lifespan, including children, young people, adults, parents, carers and educators. The site provides clear, structured educational information about ADHD, how it presents, and why diagnosis and treatment can be important.

ADHD and You

Healthier Together (NHS)

Healthier Together provides clear, reassuring information about ADHD written specifically for young people. The page explains what ADHD is, common signs and strengths, ways to manage day‑to‑day challenges, and how to get help from school or health services. It can be helpful for parents who want a trusted NHS resource to share with their child, or to support conversations about focus, emotions and wellbeing.

Healthier Together / ADHD

Hampshire CAMHS

Hampshire CAMHS provides detailed information about ADHD, including how difficulties are understood at different levels of need, what support can be offered before referral, and when an ADHD assessment through CAMHS may be appropriate. Although this page is written for professionals, it can help parents understand the local ADHD pathway, what schools and services are expected to do, and what support should be in place while waiting for assessment.

Hampshire CAMHS / ADHD

Hampshire Dyslexia Association

The Hampshire Dyslexia Association (HDA) offers information, advice and local support for children, young people and adults with dyslexia, as well as their families. Support includes a parent helpline, guidance about dyslexia at school, EHCPs and assessments, and links to trusted local tutors and assessors. HDA also provides resources for parents to better understand dyslexia and support their child’s learning and wellbeing.

Hampshire Dyslexia Association

British Dyslexia Association (BDA) – National charity providing information, helplines, resources, and campaigning to improve outcomes for people with dyslexia, including children and young people.

British Dyslexia Association

The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust – A collaboration of leading organisations funded by the Department for Education, providing reliable guidance for parents, carers, and educators of children with SpLDs.

The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust

Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD) – Maintains a register of schools and services supporting children with SpLDs and offers guidance to families.

Crested

Springboard for Children – Provides one‑to‑one literacy support to children at risk of falling behind, including those with dyslexia and other SpLDs.

Springboard for Children

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity – Offers specialist assessments, one-to-one tuition, advice, and training for children with dyslexia and other SpLDs.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

Dyspraxia Foundation – Supports children, young people, and families affected by dyspraxia through information, resources, helplines, and local groups.

Dyspraxia Foundation

Hampshire Dyslexia Association

The Hampshire Dyslexia Association (HDA) offers information, advice and local support for children, young people and adults with dyslexia, as well as their families. Support includes a parent helpline, guidance about dyslexia at school, EHCPs and assessments, and links to trusted local tutors and assessors. HDA also provides resources for parents to better understand dyslexia and support their child’s learning and wellbeing.

Hampshire Dyslexia Association

British Dyslexia Association (BDA) – National charity providing information, helplines, resources, and campaigning to improve outcomes for people with dyslexia, including children and young people.

British Dyslexia Association

The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust – A collaboration of leading organisations funded by the Department for Education, providing reliable guidance for parents, carers, and educators of children with SpLDs.

The Dyslexia-SpLD Trust

Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD) – Maintains a register of schools and services supporting children with SpLDs and offers guidance to families.

Crested

Springboard for Children – Provides one‑to‑one literacy support to children at risk of falling behind, including those with dyslexia and other SpLDs.

Springboard for Children

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity – Offers specialist assessments, one-to-one tuition, advice, and training for children with dyslexia and other SpLDs.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity

Dyspraxia Foundation – Supports children, young people, and families affected by dyspraxia through information, resources, helplines, and local groups.

Dyspraxia Foundation

Beat - Eating disorder support and helplines

Beat is the UK’s national charity for eating disorders. They offer free, confidential helplines for children, young people and adults who are struggling with eating issues, as well as for parents and carers who need advice or support. Trained advisors provide a safe, non‑judgemental space to talk, share information, and explore next steps, with or without a diagnosis.

Helplines are available by phone, email and webchat. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Beat / Eating Disorders

First Steps ED

A charity offering practical, compassionate support to children, young people, adults, and families affected by eating difficulties and eating disorders. Services include support groups, one‑to‑one help, resources for carers, and education workshops.

First Steps ED

Young Minds

Provides accessible information and advice for parents and carers concerned about a child or young person’s eating behaviours or an eating disorder. Their guides cover signs to look out for, how to seek help, and how to support recovery.

Young Minds / Eating Disorders

Childline

Offers confidential support for children and young people up to age 19 who may be struggling with eating or body image concerns, via phone and online chat.

Childline

NHS – Eating Disorder Support

Provides guidance on recognising eating disorders, accessing GP support, and referral to specialist children and young people’s eating disorder services (CYP‑EDS).

NHS - Eating Disorders Overview

Beat - Eating disorder support and helplines

Beat is the UK’s national charity for eating disorders. They offer free, confidential helplines for children, young people and adults who are struggling with eating issues, as well as for parents and carers who need advice or support. Trained advisors provide a safe, non‑judgemental space to talk, share information, and explore next steps, with or without a diagnosis.

Helplines are available by phone, email and webchat. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

Beat / Eating Disorders

First Steps ED

A charity offering practical, compassionate support to children, young people, adults, and families affected by eating difficulties and eating disorders. Services include support groups, one‑to‑one help, resources for carers, and education workshops.

First Steps ED

Young Minds

Provides accessible information and advice for parents and carers concerned about a child or young person’s eating behaviours or an eating disorder. Their guides cover signs to look out for, how to seek help, and how to support recovery.

Young Minds / Eating Disorders

Childline

Offers confidential support for children and young people up to age 19 who may be struggling with eating or body image concerns, via phone and online chat.

Childline

NHS – Eating Disorder Support

Provides guidance on recognising eating disorders, accessing GP support, and referral to specialist children and young people’s eating disorder services (CYP‑EDS).

NHS - Eating Disorders Overview

Re:Minds is a Hampshire‑based organisation that provides peer-led, specialist support to parents and carers of children and young people with autism, ADHD and related mental health needs. Their support combines professional training with lived experience, meaning families receive help from people who understand both the systems and the realities of day‑to‑day life.

All Re:Minds staff are themselves parents or carers of neurodivergent children. They are trained in autism, ADHD and mental health and use their lived experience alongside professional knowledge to support families in a practical, non‑judgemental way.

Re:Minds offers individual support to help parents:

understand their child’s needs
navigate health, education and neurodiversity services
explore realistic strategies that work for their family
feel more confident advocating for their child, including with schools and services

This support is available at different stages, including early years and transition to adulthood (16–25).

Re:Minds run free adult‑only support groups where parents and carers can as well as courses and workshops for parents. These are structured courses and workshops, shaped by lived experience and professional collaboration:

Autism and ADHD courses for different age ranges
Evidence‑based, practical strategies
Support for understanding behaviour, communication, sensory differences, anxiety, and resilience

Visit Reminds.org.uk

Re:Minds is a Hampshire‑based organisation that provides peer-led, specialist support to parents and carers of children and young people with autism, ADHD and related mental health needs. Their support combines professional training with lived experience, meaning families receive help from people who understand both the systems and the realities of day‑to‑day life.

All Re:Minds staff are themselves parents or carers of neurodivergent children. They are trained in autism, ADHD and mental health and use their lived experience alongside professional knowledge to support families in a practical, non‑judgemental way.

Re:Minds offers individual support to help parents:

understand their child’s needs
navigate health, education and neurodiversity services
explore realistic strategies that work for their family
feel more confident advocating for their child, including with schools and services

This support is available at different stages, including early years and transition to adulthood (16–25).

Re:Minds run free adult‑only support groups where parents and carers can as well as courses and workshops for parents. These are structured courses and workshops, shaped by lived experience and professional collaboration:

Autism and ADHD courses for different age ranges
Evidence‑based, practical strategies
Support for understanding behaviour, communication, sensory differences, anxiety, and resilience

Visit Reminds.org.uk