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This board is organised in columns to make it easy to navigate. The first column includes general resources about neurodiversity and understanding different ways of thinking, learning and experiencing the world. The remaining columns are arranged alphabetically by topic. Simply click into the column you need and scroll down to explore the resources listed there.

We will continue to add to this space over time as new information, lived experience and recommendations become available.

If there is something you’ve found helpful, please let us know so we can continue to grow this resource together.

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Neurodiversity Resource Hub Supporting understanding, inclusion and belonging (2)

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Neurodiversity recognises that brains develop in different ways.

Some children experience the world more intensely, think differently, move differently, communicate differently or regulate differently. That isn’t something to fix — it’s something to understand.

This Padlet is here to:
• Reduce isolation
• Increase understanding
• Share practical tools
• Amplify lived experience

Whether you are just starting your journey or have been walking it for years, we hope you find something here that feels helpful.

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Lily Farrington's Amazing Developmental Language Disorder Animation

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Buy The Parents’ Guide to ADHD Medicines by Hill, Peter (ISBN: 9781787755680) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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_Parent Support Programmes  Jan - March 2026 final and approved (2)

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Professional Referral for Sleep Service

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Self Referral form for sleep services- parental referral

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Sleep application- parent or carer referral.docx

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Witherslack ADHD Support Pack

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Attention Difficulties: A short attention span is a common sign of ADHD in young children. They may have trouble paying attention during activities, such as playing with toys or listening to stories, and can become easily distracted.

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Children & Young People’s Mental Health Coalition

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Home | ADD-vance - The ADHD & Autism Trust, Hertfordshire

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ADD-vance is a Hertfordshire based charity that supports families affected by ADHD, Autism or a related condition and the professionals who support them.

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NSPCC resource to support children understand puberty. There are booklets (fully illustrated with Widgit Software symbols) explaning a range of puberty topics in a simple but factual way.

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Resources for parents and carers with advice, guidance and practical tips on how to support children and young people who have learning disabilities through puberty.

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Spectrum Gaming was set up by a group of autistic advocates who wanted to create a friendly and accepting community for autistic people who have a shared passion for gaming. Our main focus is for autistic gamers to have some fun, make some friends and show off what they can do! We run two Discord servers (one for young people and a different one for adults) where people can chat and play games together. We also run regular events and activities for everyone ot get involved with. In addition to our Discord servers, we run a Minecraft Server so everyone can enjoy playing Minecraft together.

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How to Support Neurodivergent People -Spectrum Gaming

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How to Support Neurodivergent People -Spectrum Gaming

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Hello! We empower and advocate for parents, carers and professionals who support children and young people with SEND. How may we help you?

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Special Educational Needs Schools & SEND Support - Witherslack Group

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Witherslack Group is the leading provider of specialist education for young people with special educational needs. Also providing SEND advice and support.

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These valuable, printable resources have been developed over my many years of interoceptive work and research. I offer these as a free resource exclusively…

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Anna Kennedy Online – Forging the path to autism awareness

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The straight-talking parenting podcast in which we shine a light on the particular highs and lows of raising disabled children, acknowledge our triumphs and our mistakes and embrace all of our beautiful differences.

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The SEND Parents Survival Guide is a weekly podcast for special needs parenting. Find episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, or via the provided link. Subscribe to stay up-to-d…

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The conversations will all about Special Education Needs and disability hosted by Arran Smith (SEND Group) Beccie Hawes (Cadmus inclusive)

We will bring together a conversation/podcast of all things special education needs related with insights and ideas related to all areas of interest, knowledge and discussion for everyone working within the education community.

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Life AsPland | Empowering Parent Carers with SEND Support and Resources

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Life AsPland supports parent carers navigating the SEND journey with tools, resources, and guidance. Simplify advocacy, stay organised, and feel confident every step of the way

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Non Violent Resistance (NVR) is a broad based concept presenting an approach to parenting suitable for all families. It supports the creation of deep connective bonds between parent and child. It is equally applicable to families whatever their circumstances and regardless of whether they are experiencing parenting difficulties with their child. The book shares the different aspects of NVR, supplemented with real life examples including those of the author's, and shares tips and strategies parents can implement straight away to start changing the relationship they have with their child.

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Connective Parenting: A guide to connecting with your child using the NVR Approach

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Non Violent Resistance (NVR) is a broad based concept presenting an approach to parenting suitable for all families. It supports the creation of deep connective bonds between parent and child. It is equally applicable to families whatever their circumstances and regardless of whether they are exp...

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Connective Parenting Conference - Connective Family

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The Connective Parenting Conference is back for 2025. 2 days, 10 workshops, all online, all recorded. Why not join us?

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Learn how to explain epilepsy to your child with our helpful guide. Support their understanding and manage their condition effectively.

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Join the #UnderstandMyEpilepsy campaign and help ensure young people with epilepsy get the support they need to be safe and included at school.

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Epilepsy Society | Transforming lives through advocacy, research and care

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We are the UK’s only charity transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.

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Epilepsy Action support for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Action is a charity that improves the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy.

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Resources for Autism - Providing practical support for children and adults with autism

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Resources for Autism is a registered charity. We provide practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism and for those who love and care for them.

We have a team of trained, enthusiastic and kind staff and volunteers offering a wide range of support. All our staff are autism specialists who understand communication and sensory needs.

Read more about our services here.

You can also get involved. We want the very best staff and the keenest volunteers: Find out how here.

We are a registered charity and rely on donations and there are many ways you can help: See how here.

We are supported by some wonderful organisations: Find out about them here.

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Resources for Autism is a registered charity. We provide practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism and for those who love and care for them. We have a team of trained, enthusiastic and kind staff and volunteers offering a wide range of support.

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Buy Autism in Childhood: For parents and carers of the newly diagnosed by Beardon, Luke (ISBN: 9781399805391) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Fern Sussman (Author), Robin Baird Lewis (Illustrator)

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More Than Words: A Parents Guide to Building Interaction and Lanuage Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties

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Buy More Than Words: A Parents Guide to Building Interaction and Lanuage Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties 2 by Sussman, Fern, Lewis, Robin Baird (ISBN: 8601410419967) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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ADHD symptom tests, ADD medication & treatment, behavior & discipline, school & learning essentials, organization and more information for families and individuals living with attention...

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Access denied | www.additudemag.com used Cloudflare to restrict access

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CANDDID, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and the ADHD Foundation have produced a series of informational videos 'Understanding and Managing ADHD' our topics include: Watch the videos using the drop down menus below:

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CANDDID, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) and the ADHD Foundation have produced a series of informational videos 'Understanding and Managing ADHD' our topics include: Watch the videos using the drop down menus below:

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10 Steps to Reducing Your Child's Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum: The CBT-Based 'Fun with Feelings' Parent Manual

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10 Steps to Reducing Your Child's Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum: The CBT-Based 'Fun with Feelings' Parent Manual

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https://amzn.eu/d/c8pVIMD

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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Find out more about what “challenging behaviour” is and how to respond to it using positive behaviour support.

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An introduction to challenging behaviour

'Challenging behaviour' is how we talk about a range of behaviours which some people with severe learning disabilities may display to get needs met.

Behaviours might be things like:

Hurting others (e.g. hair pulling, hitting, head-butting)

Self-injury (e.g. head banging, eye poking, hand biting)

Destructive behaviours (e.g. throwing things, breaking furniture, tearing things up)

Why do people display challenging behaviour?

Most children without learning disabilities display lots of challenging behaviour during the 'terrible twos,' but usually this doesn't last because most 2-year olds develop a range of communication and social skills which enable them to get what they want and need more easily. Many children with learning disabilities do not develop these skills and are left with the same needs as other children their age but are much less able to get them met - Peter McGill, Tizard Centre, University of Kent

Many challenging behaviours are effective ways for a person with learning disability to control what is going on around them.
Read our position statement to see what the CBF does and how we can support you
How can the Challenging Behaviour Foundation help?
Download formal definitions of the term challenging behaviour
Behaviour described as challenging can have a significant impact, not only on the individual with learning disabilities themselves, but also family and friends caring for that person.
An introduction to challenging behaviour Challenging behaviour - supporting change Short video clips from family carers/professionals about challenging behaviour
More information

Watch our videos

Quick Read Challenging Behaviour Guide
Read or download Quick Read Challenging Behaviour Guide
This quick read challenging behaviour guide gives tips and strategies to help you and your family member during a period of new or increased challenging behaviour.

It will give you a quick start to using Positive Behaviour Support principles to reduce challenging behaviour. In reality there will be times when your best efforts cannot prevent a crisis, so there are also tips to plan how to respond.
Read or download Understanding Challenging Behaviour and Getting Advice and Support
Meeting the Challenge guide

Read the first of our Meeting the Challenge guides on 'Understanding challenging behaviour and getting advice and support', produced by the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, alongside Mencap and Respond. This factsheet provides information and signposting to help you understand challenging behaviour and how to go about getting support for your family member.

CBF's information sheets relating to challenging behaviour

We have a series of three information sheets relating to challenging behaviour. Click on the links below to read the summaries or download the complete information sheets.

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'Challenging behaviour' is how we talk about a range of behaviours which some people with severe learning disabilities may display when their needs aren't being met.

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Helping Your Child with PDA Live a Happier Life

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Drawing on the author’s personal experience of parenting a child with PDA, this insightful and informative guide offers strategies and tips for all aspects of daily life, including sensory issues, education and negotiation.Full of advice and support, this book is not intended to provide information on how to change you

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Communicating the little-understood PDA (pathological demand avoidance) neurotype in a visual way.

Sally Cat is an adult PDA author, illustrator, animator and public speaker. As a visual thinker and trained person-centred counsellor, she communicates the inner experience of the PDA neurotype via creative, graphic memes. Her Facebook page, Sally Cat's PDA page, has over 12,000 followers, including fellow adult PDAers, parents and professionals. Feedback across the board (from professionals to adults querying their neurology) has been that her memes have communicated what dense written documents cannot.

'Pathological Demand Avoidance Explained' is a collection of 75 of these memes adapted for e-book and paperback format.

'PDA by PDAers', published by JKP in 2018, is the first book about adult PDA. Illustrated throughout, the transcript takes the form of discussion carried out by over 70 adult PDAers. Sally chose this round table format to reflect the unconventional, non-hierarchical nature of the PDA neurotype.

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Calendar Girl: The memoirs of a PDA child in a dysfunctional family

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Calendar Girl is the first of Sally Cat's planned series of short memoirs which, book by book, will recount her entire childhood with the aid of her rare photographic, calendar memory. This first book, covering the author's first eight years, includes crystal clear memories of babyhood, toddlerh...

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Buy Understanding PDA: For Kids & Grown Ups by Freeman, Stacey, Freeman, M, Freeman, J (ISBN: 9798398480344) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Buy The PDA-Saurus by Cook, Sophie, Cook, Sophie (ISBN: 9798304494656) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Introduction to PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)

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Buy Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Adults: A Guide for Autistic Wellbeing by Beardon, Luke (ISBN: 9781529394740) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Gillian Harris and Elizabeth Shea (Author)

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Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals

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Buy Food Refusal and Avoidant Eating in Children, including those with Autism Spectrum Conditions: A Practical Guide for Parents and Professionals Illustrated by Gillian Harris and Elizabeth Shea (ISBN: 9781785923180) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Sensory Spectacle | Sensory Processing | Shop | Courses | Podcasts

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Sensory Spectacle offer workshops, online training and immersive learning experiences to give a unique insight into the lives of people with Sensory Processing Difficulties (SPD).

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Emma Goodall (Author), Charlotte Brownlow (Author)

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Interoception and Regulation: Teaching Skills of Body Awareness and Supporting Connection with Others

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Buy Interoception and Regulation: Teaching Skills of Body Awareness and Supporting Connection with Others by Goodall, Emma, Brownlow, Charlotte (ISBN: 9781787757288) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Dr Prithvi Perepa. Foreword by Professor Rita Jordan (Author)

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Autism, Ethnicity and Culture: Working with Children and Families from Minority Communities

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Buy Autism, Ethnicity and Culture: Working with Children and Families from Minority Communities by Dr Prithvi Perepa. Foreword by Professor Rita Jordan (ISBN: 9781785923609) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning

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Buy Changing Our Minds: How children can take control of their own learning by Fisher, Dr. Naomi (ISBN: 9781472145512) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Buy Untypical: How the world isn’t built for autistic people and what we should all do about it by Wharmby, Pete (ISBN: 9780008529260) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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The Out-Of-Sync Child, Third Edition: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences

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The Out-Of-Sync Child, Third Edition: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Differences

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Steve Silberman (Author), Oliver Sacks (Contributor)

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NeuroTribes: Winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction

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NeuroTribes: Winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Nonfiction : Silberman, Steve, Sacks, Oliver: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens

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Buy The Awesome Autistic Guide for Trans Teens by Purkis, Yenn, Rose, Sam (ISBN: 9781839970764) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Naoki Higashida (Author), David Mitchell (Translator), Keiko Yoshida (Translator) & 0 more Format: Kindle Edition

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The Reason I Jump: one boy’s voice from the silence of autism

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The Reason I Jump: one boy’s voice from the silence of autism

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The Reason I Jump: one boy’s voice from the silence of autism eBook : Higashida, Naoki, Mitchell, David, Yoshida, Keiko: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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Buy NeuroDiversity: The Birth of an Idea by Singer, Judy (ISBN: 9780648154709) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Buy Fingers in the Sparkle Jar: A Memoir Reprint by Packham, Chris (ISBN: 9781785033506) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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"Her years of experience combined with intuition and learning have brought Jo, I think, as close as anyone can, to being able to 'get' what the world is like for sensory beings.

The book starts with 'introducing sensory beings'. This is full of theory with explanations pitched at the less scholarly (like me) but without at any point a single note of condescension. There are sublimely mind-opening explanations, such as in chapter 2, taking us through the 'getting wired group'; 'the 'search & discover group'; the 'explore and connect group' through to the 'specialising group'. They really make sense and ring true. And she's managed to slip in a load of real science of how the brain works without frightening me away!

She enables (for me anyway) a new and different kind of respect for sensory beings, through describing their world. Her analogies (learning the properties of metal; learning the useful sounds for a language) helped my understanding - and that's just two from one page! It's not that I didn't have respect for sensory beings, but this book has given me a better lens through which to see them.

Jo brings many insights into the best practice that should be out there - explaining why I am seeing what I'm seeing when I encounter the very best practice. I got a lot from the 'practitioner insight' boxes which are scattered throughout, as well as the many short case studies - some of them so inspiring!

She uses wonderful phrases and descriptions which made me stop and think. 'Parked time' as an example - something that has long bothered me - but now I have the language for it and more ideas of what to do about it.

Along with the glow I felt, reading Jo's book, the satisfaction of learning and understanding more, there's also the feeling of being pulled up sharply sometimes. She doesn't pull her punches when questioning practice. And this is great too. At my school we have 'The WHY imperative', and Jo's book supports this - asking why we are doing what we are doing at every point. Except Jo knows so much more than me about what works and why it does, and there are pearls of (hard-earned) wisdom throughout.

Chapters 3 to 8 on stimuli for the senses are just astonishing - so many things to think about! However, Jo has made this digestible with a very clever and perceptive way of laying out all the ideas. (My feeling is that she has used her knowledge of the brain to work out what's best for her readers!) Her idea works - there is an order - but, and this is close to my heart - it's 'not that you should seek to push people forwards'. It is that 'in locating one experience tht appeals to an individual, you can look nearby in the sequence to find others also likely to appeal'. Typical Jo, common sense but brilliantly well thought-out common sense!

As you'd expect, the chapters on making resources and facilitating time with sensory beings are creative and insightful - and cheap!!

This book is written by someone with an outstanding intuition - but it's more than that, it's intuition with years of research, experience and a highly developed intelligence behind it. It's a thoroughly human book, personal and thoughtful throughout. It's also, without feeling like it is, a scholarly book, based on research. I feel a better practitioner already just for having read it. Congratulations, Jo." - Simon Yates, Leading Special School Practitioner

"It's an inspired book written by someone who really "gets" it and is also able to share it. The respect she has for all humankind is so evident. I particularly loved Jo's use of language and her terminology. As a linguistic being, she has given me the tools to enable me to develop my thoughts and understanding" - Gill Warren, Special School Teacher

" I enjoyed reading 'Sensory-Being for Sensory Beings' so much it was hard to put down! I read with delight that I, who have spent 30 years in a special school, have read something which puts into words all I believe in when it comes to planning and delivering sensory experiences. Words that can be used when justifying what I want to do, words that can be used to explain to why?, how? when others look at you as if you are from a different planet!

It is a book I will definitely recommend to new staff, particularly those that have little or no experience of SEN or in deed PMLD." - Janet O'Sullivan Special School Teacher

"Sensory Being for Sensory Beings outlines one technique amongst many which might help our learners connect with, learn and feel safe within their environments. It shows the importance of sensory stimulation, using and engaging the senses and being respectful and responsive to our learners' independence and time." - Katherine Shearer, the SLD experience

" With clear boundaries and well-placed words of encouragement, this book is as much a soothing massage for the brain (and the senses!) as it is a brilliant handbook for the classroom or home. Every EYFS setting should be using this daily." - EarlyArts

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Sensory-Being for Sensory Beings: Creating Entrancing Sensory Experiences

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Sensory-Being for Sensory Beings: Creating Entrancing Sensory Experiences : Grace, Joanna: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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As a medical comic, an educational comic, it's really well done, imparting knowledge with ease, simple, clear, effective. Using comics for this (and make no mistake, this is, definitely, a comic), is a perfect fit, getting factual information through to many who simply either wouldn't be able to, or more likely, wouldn't wish to, access it through plain text... When it comes to autism, no matter how aware we think we are, there's always more to discover. Which is just what Camouflage does very well, breaking down the subject with a clarity and simplicity, yet without sparing any factual details or the personal experiences of women with autism. I guarantee that you'll finish Camouflage with a better understanding of an important issue. And in that sense, Camouflage is a hugely successful thing... Hopefully, this will be something that will be embraced by schools, libraries, medical practices, and should be an essential read for anyone with autism, or anyone affected by autism.

And frankly, given that we're all on the spectrum somewhere, you will, definitely, know someone affected by autism. Isn't it time you knew a little more?

-- Richard Bruton ― Comicon This informative work has insights for those familiar with or new to autism studies, and readers will feel the interviews add an important perspective. -- Publishers Weekly

Using a combination of intriguing science facts and moving personal accounts, psychologist Bargiela explains why doctors more rarely identify autism in women than in men. Beginning with the history of autism research, Bargiela shows that studies don't focus enough on the differences between men's and women's brains and skills, such as women's greater talent for 'social mimicry,' and therefore miss the ways autism manifests in women. Bargiela ensures that the medical information is understandable, and when potentially confusing terms arise, quick and concise footnotes are provided. She includes interviews with three autistic women, in which she asked each the same four questions about her life experiences. The responses are revealing; one woman says her assumption that her romantic partners are truthful makes her vulnerable to those who want to take advantage of her. Standing's art is subtle, enhancing the information being shared without distracting from the subject matter. The artwork is reminiscent of art deco, with distinct illustrations and a calming color palette. Happiful

A fantastic, easy-to-digest book for anyone hoping to understand how we can create a safer, more accommodating environment for women on the spectrum. -- Bonnie Gifford ―

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Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women

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Buy Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women Illustrated by Dr Sarah Bargiela (ISBN: 9781785925665) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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ARFID Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Guide for Parents and Carers : Bryant-Waugh, Rachel: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s

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Buy Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s by Robison, John Elder (ISBN: 9780091926335) from Amazon’s Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Buy The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods Illustrated by Robyn Steward (ISBN: 9781785923241) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods eBook : Steward, Robyn: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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This original and imaginative book has been created by five-year-old Heath. In it, Heath illustrates his understanding of his autistic mother Joanna, giving insight into the different ways in which autistic and neurotypical people understand language.

In his simple and uncomplicated style, accompanied by bright and colourful illustrations, Heath explains why his mother's brain understands words at a different rate than his own, and how they communicate in spite of their differences. Heath's work is accompanied by explanatory notes exploring Joanna's own experience of autism and language.

Key features include:

A Foreword by broadcaster, environmentalist and author Chris Packham, on acceptance, understanding, and expressing an autistic reality

A unique exploration of language processing differences told through the eyes and mind of a child.

Bright, colourful pictures and simple language, perfect for inspiring conversations about neurodiversity between people of all ages.

Explanatory text that can be read alongside the story.

Autism portrayed as a positive and permanent neurological difference, not deficit.

The combination of story and commentary makes this book a unique tool for all people seeking to explain and understand difference, regardless of age and experience. Although focusing on autism as an example of neural difference, it can be used to explain and celebrate neurodiversity in all its forms and will help to build relationships across the divide of neurological difference.

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My Mummy is Autistic: A Picture Book and Guide about Recognising and Understanding Difference

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This original and imaginative book has been created by five-year-old Heath. In it, Heath illustrates his understanding of his autistic mother Joanna, giving insight into the different ways in which autistic and neurotypical people understand language.

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The Neurodiversity Reader: Exploring Concepts, Lived Experience and Implications for Practice

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This thought-provoking collection is written for all stakeholders in relation to autism and neurodivergent conditions. Despite having wide impact on a variety of disciplines, neurodiversity and related concepts are often poorly understood, which can lead to uninformed debate and potential tension…

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He﻿lping﻿ fa﻿milies achieve﻿ ﻿stress free mealtimes
​
​ Are you concerned about your child's eating and drinking?

​ Do you work with children who have eating and drinking difficulties?

We offer education and training to help parents and professionals understand how children learn to eat and drink, what can go wrong and how you can help.

When a child refuses foods, mealtimes can become a source of anxiety and dread for parents and an unhappy time for the child. Parents may worry about the child's dietary intake and weight, and fear that they may become ill. Sadly, help and advice from others may make parents feel guilty or inadequate. Birmingham Food Refusal Service may be able to help parents and professionals through its With over 50 years of clinical and academic experience between us, you can be sure that our courses are based on sound clinical practice and research. educational and training courses.

​

We are Dr Gillian Harris, Clinical Psychologist, Sarah Mason, Speech and Language Therapist and Dr Maddy Greville-Harris, Clinical Psychologist.We are professionally registered with hcpc.
We have extensive practical and research experience of working with families who have children who are difficult to feed. Please read our biographies to learn more about our professional backgrounds. You can check our registrations with this link.

Dr Gillian Harris Sarah Mason Dr Maddy Greville-Harris

We believe that when children refuse food it is rarely due to bad behavi﻿our. It is usually linked to complex inborn factors or medical conditions which make it difficult to feed the child and which raise parental anxiety. In the same way, it is not the parents' fault that a child is difficult to feed. We know that many parents feel responsible and judged by others. What parents need is understanding, support and knowledge about why a child is refusing food. Some children have a condition called Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). The condition has been recognised by the American Psychiatric Society (APA) which has published the criteria for diagnosis. We have written a description of the main features that parents may see in their children's pattern of eating.
Why are some children difficult to feed?

Follow this link to find out more information.
​​

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Birmingham Food Refusal Service - Helping families achieve stress free mealtimes

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Home page for Birmingham Food Refusal Service

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With your help, we can keep offering free support to those who need us.

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Auditory Processing & Our 5 Favorite Activities

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We work with a wide range of professionals to enhance the support provided to children with Down syndrome and their families. We also provide training for teachers, teaching assistants and learning support assistants within schools, enabling school staff to focus on 'ability', rather than 'limitations'.

Speech and Language Therapy students volunteer with us to practise their skills, taking away what they learn into their future careers.

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Downright Excellent - Enabling children with Down syndrome to maximise their potential

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We work with a wide range of professionals to enhance the support provided to children with Down syndrome and their families. We also provide training for teachers, teaching assistants and learning support assistants within schools, enabling school staff to focus on 'ability', rather than 'limitations'.

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Dr Naomi Fisher is a clinical psychologist, author and speaker specialising in parenting, mental health issues in children, autism and trauma. She runs EMDR Basic Training and Refresher Day courses. Dr Abigail Fisher is an education psychologist specialising in Special Educational Needs (SEN), EHCPs, EOTAS. We create courses and webinars for parents and professionals.

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This leaflet is for anyone who wants to know more about bipolar disorder

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This leaflet is for anyone who wants to know more about bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar affective disorder). It is especially written for anyone who has bipolar disorder, their friends and relatives.

This leaflet describes:

The signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Some of the problems you may encounter.

Some ways of coping.

Evidence-based treatments.

There are other resources on this website on bipolar disorder for young people and parents and carers.

Disclaimer

This leaflet provides information, not advice.

The content in this leaflet is provided for general information only. It is not intended to, and does not, mount to advice which you should rely on. It is not in any way an alternative to specific advice.

You must therefore obtain the relevant professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action based on the information in this leaflet.

If you have questions about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider without delay.

If you think you are experiencing any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Although we make reasonable efforts to compile accurate information in our leaflets and to update the information in our leaflets, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in this leaflet is accurate, complete or up to date.

It used to be called 'manic depressive illness'. As this phrase suggests, you have severe mood swings.These usually last several weeks or months and are far beyond the emotional ups and downs that most of us experience. They can be: ¹

Low or 'depressive'

You feel intensely low, depressed and even despairing.

High or 'manic'

You feel extremely happy, elated, and become very overactive. You may develop very grandiose, delusional ideas about yourself and your abilities.

Hypomanic

Your mood is high, but not so extreme as in mania

Mixed

You have a mixture of mania and depression - for example, you feel very depressed, but also have the restlessness and overactivity of mania.

These mood states are described in more detail below.

About 1 in every 50 adults will have bipolar disorder at some point in their life. It usually starts between the ages of 15 to 25 - and rarelyafter the age of 50 ¹.

The following types exist ²:

Bipolar I

You have had at least one high or manic episode, which has lasted for longer than one week - usually far longer.

You may only have manic episodes, although most people with Bipolar I also have periods of deep depression.

Untreated, a manic episode will generally last 3 to 6 months.

Depressive episodes last rather longer - 6 to 12 months without treatment.

Bipolar II

You have more than one episode of severe depression, but only mild manic episodes - this is called 'hypomania'.

Rapid cycling

You have four mood or more episodes in a 12-month period. This affects around 1 in 10 people with bipolar disorder and can happen with both types I and II.

Cyclothymia

The mood swings are less severe than those in full bipolar disorder but can be longer. This can, in time, develop into full bipolar disorder.

Similar genetic 'risk factors' are involved in whether someone develops bipolar disorder, severe depression or schizophrenia. There are also environmental risk factors, and these can interact with genetic risk factors to increase or decrease your risk of developing these conditions.

For example, you might have genetic risk factors that mean you are more likely to develop bipolar disorder. However, if you grow up or live in a stable and positive environment this may reduce your risk of developing a serious mental illness.

Having a parent with a serious mental illness like bipolar is the strongest known risk factor for developing a serious mental illness yourself. Children with a parent who has a serious mental illness have a 1 in 3 chance of developing a serious mental illness themselves.

When thinking about the causes of developing bipolar disorder, it is important to remember that lots of different things are involved, and that no single risk factor causes bipolar disorder. ³

Depression

We all experience feelings of depression from time to time ⁴. It can even help us to recognise and deal with problems in our lives. However, in major depression or bipolar depression, these feelings are much more intense 5 6. They go on for longer and makes it difficult or impossible to deal with the normal things of life ⁵. If you become depressed, you will notice some, or all of these things:

Emotional changes

feelings of unhappiness that don't go away.

feeling that you want to burst into tears for no reason.

losing interest in things.

being unable to enjoy things.

feeling restless and agitated.

losing self-confidence.

feeling useless, inadequate and hopeless.

feeling more irritable than usual.

thinking of suicide.

Difficulties with your thinking

Physical symptoms

You don't want to eat and lose weight.

It's hard to get to sleep.

You wake really early - and can't get back to sleep again.

You feel utterly tired.

You get constipated.

You lose interest in sex.

Behaviour

Mania

You feel intensely well, energetic and optimistic - so much so that it affects your thinking and judgement. You can start to believe strange things about yourself, make bad decisions, and behave in embarrassing, harmful and - occasionally - dangerous ways.

Like depression, it can make it difficult or impossible to deal with day-to-day life. Mania can badly affect both your relationships and your work.

When it isn't so extreme, it is called 'hypomania'. It can still affect your judgement, and how you get on with other people ¹.

When you are manic, you may notice that you are:

Emotional

Thinking

Physical

Behaviour

Making plans that are grandiose and unrealistic.

Very active, moving around very quickly.

Behaving unlike your normal self.

Talking very quickly - so quickly that other people may find it hard to understand what you are talking about.

Making odd decisions on the spur of the moment, sometimes with disastrous consequences.

Recklessly spending your money.

Over-familiar or recklessly critical with other people.

Less inhibited in general.

If you are in the middle of a manic episode for the first time, you may not realise that there is anything wrong - although your friends, family or colleagues usually will. You may even feel annoyed if someone tries to point this out to you. You start to lose touch with day-to-day issues - and with other people's feelings.

Psychotic symptoms

If an episode of mania or depression becomes very severe, you may develop delusional ideas ¹.

In a manic episode - these will tend to be grandiose beliefs about yourself - that you are on an important mission or that you have special powers and abilities.

In a depressive episode - you can feel that you are uniquely guilty, that you are worse than anybody else, or even that you don't exist.

As well as these unusual beliefs, you might experience hallucinations - when you hear, smell, feel or see something, but there isn't anything (or anybody) there to account for it.

Between episodes

Some people with bipolar disorder feel that they recover completely in between their mood swings - but many do not. You can continue to feel depressed and to have problems in thinking, even when you appear (to other people) to be better.

An episode of bipolar disorder may mean that you have to stop driving for a while - you must tell the DVLA if you have bipolar disorder. The Government website has information about this.

Who will I see?

You may see your GP at first, particularly if you have a depressive episode. But, if they make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, they will have to refer you to a specialist - a psychiatrist. NICE guidance suggest that mood-stabilisers need to be started by a specialist ⁷, even if your care is later taken over by a GP.

When you see a psychiatrist, you will also meet other members of the community mental health team (CMHT). They will be able to help with emotional support, information, psychological interventions, and help with sorting out practical matters.

Once any medication you are taking seems to established and effective, your GP can take over most of your care, although they will usually want you to stay in touch with a psychiatrist and the CMHT.

Medications for bipolar disorder

There are some things that can help to control mood swings, so that they stop short of becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression. These are mentioned below, but medication is still often needed to:

keep your mood stable (prophylaxis)

treat a manic or depressive episode.

There are several mood stabilisers, some of which are also used to treat epilepsy or to help with schizophrenia ⁸. Your psychiatrist may need to use more than one medication to control mood swings effectively ⁹.

Lithium

Lithium has been used as a mood stabiliser for decades - but how it works is still not clear. It is still the first choice for long-term treatment of bipolar disorder and can be used to treat both manic and depressive episodes.

Treatment with lithium should be started by a psychiatrist. The difficulty is getting the level of lithium in the body right - too low and it won't work, too high and it can harm you. So, you will need regular blood tests in the first few weeks to make sure that you are getting the right dose 1 10. Once the dose is stable, your GP can prescribe your lithium and arrange regular blood tests for the longer term.

The amount of lithium in your blood is very sensitive to how much, or how little, water there is in your body. If you become dehydrated, the level of lithium in your blood will rise, and you will be more likely to get side-effects, or even toxic effects ¹. So, it's important to:

drink plenty of water - more in hot weather or when you are active

be careful with tea and coffee - they increase the amount of water you pass in your urine.

It can take three months or longer for lithium to work properly. It's best to carry on taking the tablets, even if your mood swings continue during this time.

Side-effects

These can start in the first few weeks after starting lithium treatment. They can be irritating and unpleasant, but often disappear or get better with time.

They include:

Less common side-effects are:

blurred vision.

slight muscle weakness.

occasional diarrhoea.

fine trembling of the hands.

a feeling of being mildly ill.

These can usually be improved by lowering the dose of lithium.

The following signs suggest that your lithium level is too high. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice:

you feel very thirsty.

you have bad diarrhoea or vomiting.

obvious shaking of your hands and legs.

twitching of your muscles.

you get muddled or confused.

Blood and urine tests

At first you will need blood tests every few weeks to make sure that you have the right level of lithium in your blood. You will need these tests for as long as you take lithium, but less often after the first few months.

Long-term use of lithium can affect the kidneys or the thyroid gland. You will need to have blood and urine tests every few months to make sure that these organs are still working properly. If there is a problem, you may need to stop lithium and discuss an alternative with your doctor.

Taking care of yourself⁵

Eat a well-balanced diet.

Drink unsweetened fluids regularly. This helps to keep your body salts and fluids in balance. Steer clear of colas and soft drinks with a lot of sugar in them.

Eat regularly - this will also help to maintain your fluid balance.

Watch out for caffeine - in tea, coffee or cola. This makes you urinate more, and so can upset your lithium level.

Other mood stabilisers

There are other medications, apart from lithium, that can help. How these are used will depend on whether it is for a manic or depressive swing, or to stop these from happening - and whether the person is already taking an antidepressant.

Anti-epileptic medications/anticonvulsants:

Sodium valproate, an anti-convulsant, may work just as well as lithium, but we don't yet have enough evidence to be sure. If it is taken during pregnancy it can harm an unborn baby, so it should not be prescribed to anyone who could become pregnant. Readour resource on Valproate to find out more.

Carbamazepine and lamotrigine are also effective for some people.

Antipsychotic medications: Haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone.

When to start a mood stabiliser

After just one episode, it's difficult to predict how likely you are to have another. Some people don't want to start a mood stabiliser at this stage, but episodes of mania can be severe and very disruptive.

If you have a second episode, there is a strong chance of further episodes. So, at this point, a mood stabiliser would be more strongly recommended.

For how long should someone take a mood stabiliser?

For at least:

If you do decide to stop your medication, you should discuss this with your doctor. It's usually best to carry on seeing your psychiatrist for 2 years after stopping medication for bipolar disorder, so that they can check you for any signs of relapse.

If you continue to have troublesome mood episodes, you may need to continue medication for longer.

You need to discuss this with your doctor, but there are some general principles.

Lithium is usually the first choice; sodium valproate a second choice, although it can also be prescribed with lithium. Olanzapine can be tried if lithium and sodium valproate have not helped.

Quetiapine can also be used, particularly where someone remains depressed between manic episodes⁸.

Lamotrigine may be suggested for bipolar II disorder or bipolar depression, but not for mania.

Sometimes a combination of these drugs is needed.

Much depends on how well you get on with a particular medication. What suits one person may not suit another.

Lithium reduces your chance of relapse by 30-40% ⁸, but the more manic episodes you've had, the more likely you are to have another one.

As you get older, the risk of having further episodes stays much the same. Even if you have been well for a long time, you still run the risk of having another episode.

You should discuss any pregnancy plans with your psychiatrist. Together, you can arrange how to manage your mood during the pregnancy and for the first few months after the baby arrives. Lithium and sodium valproate should not be prescribed if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

If you become are pregnant while taking lithium, it's best to discuss with your psychiatrist whether you need to stop lithium. Although lithium is safer in pregnancy than the other mood stabilisers, there is a significant risk to the baby of heart problems. This risk will need to be weighed against the risk of you becoming depressed or manic.

The risk is greatest during the first three months of pregnancy. Lithium is safe after the 26th week of pregnancy, although you should not breastfeed your baby if you are taking lithium as it can be toxic for your baby ¹².

It will be worth the discussing the possibility of starting some of the psychological treatments mentioned above.

During pregnancy, everyone involved - the obstetrician, midwives, health visitors, GP, psychiatrist, and community psychiatric nurse - need to keep in close touch with each other.

During a depressive episode, or in between episodes of mania and depression, psychological treatments can be helpful 1 5 11. These can include:

psycho-education - learning more about bipolar disorder

mood monitoring -you learn to recognise when your mood is starting to swing.

help to develop general coping skills

cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depressive episodes, as well as in between such episodes (treatment usually involves around 16 to 20 one-hour sessions over a period of 3 to 4 months)

interpersonal therapy (IPT)

couples therapy

family meetings.

Find out more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

Depressive episodes

If your depression is at least moderately severe, your doctor may suggest:

fluoxetine (an SSRI antidepressant) with olanzapine (an antipsychotic medication that acts as a mood stabiliser)

quetiapine

other options if the above choices have not helped.

If you are already taking lithium or sodium valproate, adding quetiapine can help.

If you have had a recent manic episode or have a rapid-cycling disorder, an antidepressant may push you into a manic swing. It may be safer to increase the dose of the mood stabiliser, without an antidepressant.

Antidepressants can take between two and six weeks to improve your mood, but sleep and appetite often improve first. Antidepressants should be continued for four weeks after the depression has improved. Then, you and your doctor can discuss how to continue medication or whether to try a talking treatment. If your antidepressant is to be stopped, it will need to be cut down slowly before you stop completely.

If you have repeated depressive episodes, but have never switched to mania on antidepressants, you can continue on both a mood stabiliser and an antidepressant to prevent further episodes.

If you have had manic episodes, you should not take antidepressants long-term.

Mania and mixed depressive episodes

Any antidepressant should be stopped. Haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone can be used to treat a manic episode. If these do not work well, Lithium can be added.

Once the treatment has started, symptoms usually improve within a few days, but it may take several weeks for a full recovery. You should check with your doctor if you want to drive while taking this sort of medication.

Other help

If you run into trouble from, say, spending too much when you are high, your mental health team should help you to negotiate with your bank or people you owe money to. If this has happened, it may be worth thinking about giving power of attorney over your affairs to a carer or relative whom you trust.

Self-monitoring

Learn how to recognise the signs that your mood is swinging out of control so you can get help early. You may be able to avoid both full-blown episodes and hospital admissions. Keeping a mood diary can help to identify the things in your life that help you - and those that don't.

Knowledge

Find out as much as you can about your illness - and what help there is. There are sources of further information at the end of this leaflet. See below for support groups and caring organisations.

Stress

Try to avoid particularly stressful situations - these can trigger off a manic or depressive episode. It's impossible to avoid all stress, so it may be helpful to learn ways of handling it better. You can do relaxation training with CDs or DVDs, join a relaxation group, or seek advice from a clinical psychologist.

Relationships

Depression or mania can put a lot of strain on friends and family - you may find that you have to rebuild some relationships after an episode.

It's helpful if you have at least one person that you can rely on and confide in. When you are well, try explaining the illness to people who are important to you. They need to understand what happens to you - and what they can do for you.

Activities

Try to balance your life and work, leisure, and relationships with your family and friends. If you get too busy you may bring on a manic episode.

Make sure that you have enough time to relax and unwind. If you are unemployed, think about taking a course, or doing some volunteer work that has nothing to do with mental illness.

Exercise

Reasonably intense exercise for 20 minutes or so, three times a week, seems to improve mood.

Fun

Make sure you regularly do things that you enjoy and that give your life meaning.

Continue with your medication

You may want to stop your medication before your doctor thinks it is safe - but this can lead to another mood swing. Talk it over with your doctor and your family when you are well.

If you have been admitted to hospital for bipolar disorder, you may want, with your doctor and family, to write:

an 'advance statement', to set out how you want to be treated if you become ill again (it can include any information that you feel is important for your health or care)

an 'advance decision' if there are particular treatments you do not want to have.

If you are taking Lithium or any other medication for your bipolar disorder, your GP is now expected to give you an annual physical health check.1 This will check your:

Blood pressure.

Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Smoking and alcohol use.

Blood sugar levels.

Lipid levels - for all patients over the age of 40.

If you are taking Lithium, you will need:

a Lithium level check every 3-6 months.

A blood test for thyroid and kidney function every 6 months. If there are any problems, you may need to have these blood tests more often.

Mania or depression can be distressing - and exhausting - for family and friends.

Dealing with a mood episode

Depression
It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is very depressed. They see everything in a negative light and may not be able to say what they want you to do. They can be withdrawn and irritable, but at the same time need your help and support. They may be worried, but unwilling or unable to accept advice. Try to be as patient and understanding as possible.

Mania
At the start of a manic mood swing, the person will appear to be happy, energetic and outward-going - the 'life and soul' of any party or heated discussion. However, the excitement of such situations will tend to push their mood even higher. So, try to steer them away from such situations. You can try to persuade them to get help - or maybe get them some information about the illness and self-help.

Practical help is very important - and much appreciated. Make sure that your relative or friend is able to look after themselves properly - and that practical, everyday tasks, like paying bills, are not forgotten.

Helping your loved ones stay well

In between mood episodes, find out more about bipolar disorder. It may be helpful to go with your friend or loved one to any appointments with the GP or psychiatrist.

Your local psychiatric service should be able to provide your family with support, family meetings and information about bipolar disorder.

Staying well yourself

Give yourself space and time to recharge your batteries. Make sure that you have some time on your own, or with trusted friends who will give you the support you need. If your relative or friend has to go into hospital, share the visiting with someone else. You can support your friend or relative better if you are not too tired.

Dealing with an emergency

In severe mania, a person can become hostile, suspicious and verbally or physically explosive.

In severe depression, a person may start to think of suicide.

If you find that someone is:

Get medical help immediately. There may be a crisis number to ring for the mental health trust or an emergency team. A&E departments with have a psychiatrist available 24 hours a day.

Keep the name of a trusted professional (and their telephone number) who you can call in any such emergency. A short admission to hospital may sometimes be needed.

If you become manic or depressed, you may not be able to look after your children properly for a while. Your partner, or another family member, will need to do this while you are unwell. It may help to make plans for this in advance, when you are well.

Your child may feel anxious and confused when you are not well. If they cannot express their distress in words, toddlers can become difficult or clingy. Older children will show it in other ways.

Children will find it helpful if the adults around them are sensitive, understanding, and can respond to their difficulties and questions in a calm, consistent and supportive way. An adult can help them to understand why their parent is behaving differently. Questions will need to be answered calmly, factually and in language they can understand. They will feel better if they can keep to their usual daily routine.

Explaining bipolar disorder to children

Older children sometimes worry that they have caused their parent's illness. They need to be reassured that they are not to blame, but also given time and support for themselves. When an older child finds themselves caring for a sick parent, they will need particular understanding and practical support.

More information about helping children cope with a sick parent is provided in our factsheet When a parent has a mental illness.

Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK provide support, advice and information for people with bipolar disorder, their friends and carers.

Peer support line: 07591375544 (ansaphone and call back)

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland provide information, support and advice for people affected by bipolar disorder and all who care for them. They promote self-help throughout Scotland and informs and educates about the illness and the organisation.

Phone: 0141 560 2050

Side by Side - MIND online community

Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can feel at home talking about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you are going through.

MIND Helplines

MIND provide several helplines to discuss mental health.

Samaritans

Samaritans provide confidential, non-judgmental support 24 hours a day by telephone and email for anyone who is worried, upset, or suicidal.

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org.

Further reading

Fast A. J., Preston J. D. Loving someone with bipolar disorder: understanding and helping your partner. New Harbinger Publications; 2012.

Geddes, J. (2003) Bipolar disorder. Evidence Based Mental Health, 6 (4): 101-2.

Goodwin, G.M. (2009) Evidence-based guidelines for treating Bipolar disorder: revised third edition - recommendations from The British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(6); 495-553.

Kay Redfield Jamison. An unquiet mind. Alfred A. Knopf; 1995.

NICE information for the public
NICE quality standards for bipolar disorder
Morriss, R. (2004). The early warning symptom intervention for patients with bipolar affective disorder. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 10: 18 - 26.

Persaud R., Royal College of Psychiatrists. The Mind: A User's Guide. Bantam; 2007.

NICE CG185: Bipolar Disorder: the assessment and management of bipolar disorder in adults, children and adolescents, in primary and secondary care (2014)

1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Bipolar disorder: assessment and management. NICE Clinical Guideline (CG185). 2020.

2. American Psychiatric Association (APA). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5, 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

3. Sandstrom A, Sahiti Q, Pavlova B, Uher R. Offspring of parents with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, Psychiatric Genetics: October 2019. 29.5, 160-169

4. Haller H, Anheyer D, Cramer H, Dobos G. Complementary therapies for clinical depression: An overview of systematic reviews. British Medical Journal. 2019;9:1-15.

5. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Depression in adults: recognition and management. NICE Clinical Guideline (CG90). 2009.

6. Perlis RH, Brown E, Baker RW, Nierenberg AA. Clinical features of Bipolar Depression Versus Major DepressiveDisorder in Large Multicentre Trials. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163:225-231.

7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Bipolar disorder: assessment and management. Clinical guideline [CG185] 2020.

8. Butler M, Urosevic S, Desai LPP, Sponheim SR, Popp J, Nelson VA, et al. Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Comparative Effectiveness Review: 208, 2018.

9. Thase, ME. Quetiapine monotherapy for bipolar depression. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2008; 4(1): 21-31.

10. Geddes JR, Burgess S, Hawton K, et al. Long-term lithium therapy for bipolar disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161:217-22.

11. Oud M, Mayo-Wilson E, Braidwood R, Schulte P, Jones SH, Morriss R, et al. Psychological Interventions for Adults with Bipolar Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2016;3:213-222.

12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance. NICE Clinical Guideline (CG192).2020.

Credits

Produced by the RCPsych Public Engagement Editorial Board

Series Editor: Dr Phil Timms
Series Manager: Thomas Kennedy

Published: Aug 2020

Review due: Aug 2023
© Royal College of Psychiatrists

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Our information about bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar affective disorder or manic depression) in adults.

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Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with the much misunderstood and devastating condition of bipolar, their families and carers.

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Meeting the needs of children with sensory differences-Waltham Forest

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Meeting the needs of children with sensory differences-Waltham Forest

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An Affirming Approach to Supporting Interoception, Feeding Challenges & ARFID

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WHO WE ARE

We are the UK's only registered charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. As a not-for-profit, we work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

We want to empower parents and carers to feel confident about being advocates for the children in their care.

OUR MISSION

We want to remove the uncertainty, ambiguity and frustration experienced by parents, carers and individuals over obtaining a diagnosis and treatment by providing general advice that may improve their journey.

Equally, we are committed to supporting medical professionals across varying specialities, by equipping them with the information they need to ensure that their patients receive an early diagnosis and have access to appropriate care.

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OUR VISION

We want to make ARFID universally known, and understood.

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We are the UK's only charity dedicated to raising awareness and furthering information about ARFID. A not-for-profit, we work to provide individuals, parents, carers and medical professionals with up-to-date relevant information, research and support.

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Watch me bloom when I have big feelings: A coping story for children with autism on how to manage emotions, practice social skills and navigate big feelings.: 1 (Daily Bloom coping stories) : Ledden, Grace: Amazon.co.uk: Books

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Different Types of Tics (All You Need to Know About Tourette's)