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Always speak to your child's class teacher first. Ring the school office to make an appointment. Feel free to bring a list of concerns and questions so that you don't forget anything. These could be academic, social, emotional, speech and language, behavioural (both home and school).

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2. SENCO  - Mrs Radmore for YN, YR, Y1 and Y2, Miss Symes for Y5, Mrs Burgess for Y3, Y4 and Y6.

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2. SENCO  - Mrs Radmore for YN, YR, Y1 and Y2, Miss Symes for Y5, Mrs Burgess for Y3, Y4 and Y6.

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Mrs Radmore works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Miss Symes works on a Monday and Mrs Burgess works Monday - Friday.

The SENCOs work closely with the class teachers and will always speak with them in the first instance if any parents raise concerns with them.

If you do wish to speak to the SENCOS you can arrange a phone call by calling the school office or call the Inclusion Office directly using option 3 after you have dialed the main school number.

We can make referrals to the Child Development Centre (CDC) where Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists are based ; Healthy Family Support Practitioners, CAMHS and many other services.

They also work closely with the Educational Psychology Team and Inclusion Partners in Essex.

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SPACE supports parents and carers of children and yound people with SEND.

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SPACE supports parents and carers of children and yound people with SEND.

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Our team of Peer Educators are all parents and carers. They all have lived experience of supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They understand the journey and are her to help you navigate it, wherever you are whatever stage you're at.

We offer a range of accessible, flexible support options.

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NHS England is committed to providing autism peer education for families, carers and support networks of autistic people of all ages.

What does Autism Central offer?

Autism Central provides a supportive learning environment through:

A single national learning platform offering accessible resources and materials

Online group peer-to-peer training and coaching connecting families and carers across England

Timely one-to-one peer support providing personalised guidance when needed

Reflective sessions on neurodiversity and mental health, exploring wellbeing and understanding

Regional virtual and face-to-face meetings bringing together families and carers in local communities

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Autism Central for Parents and Carers | Autism Central

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Autism Central offers a wealth of resources for parents, carers and personal assistants of autistic people in England – from articles and learning materials to signposting you to services and support in your local area.

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These are in person events for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Parent / carers do not need any diagnosis for their chid to be able to come and get help at a roadshow. The may:

be new to SEND and unsure what help is available.

feel their child needs help or have questions about the support they already receive.

want to find out what support there is for them as a parent or carer.

not be sure what support they might need.

What you can get out of a roadshow

There are many different professionals who can help you under one roof. This includes local support groups, education professionals, health teams and social care teams.

You can:

access support and information

understand the different services available

find out about support available in schools

find out about local support, such as parent groups

meet other carers and parents

What to expect on the day

You can drop in when it’s convenient for you, without booking. Groups and teams will have their own stalls.

At the welcome desk, you'll see people wearing purple tops with ‘here to help’ on them. They can help with any access needs and finding the best people for you to speak to. They will ask you to sign in and give you a leaflet with useful contacts and a space to write notes.

You can explore the different stalls, ask questions, have tea and coffee. Quieter areas for discussion are available too.

How often the roadshows happen

These events happen three times a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn. One for every school term.

There are 4 locations to choose from in Mid Essex, North-East Essex, West Essex and South Essex.

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Essex SEND Local Offer Roadshows | Essex Local Offer

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Who the roadshows can help These are in person events for parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Your child does not need a diagnosis for you to come and get help at a roadshow. You may:

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The Essex Local Offer website provides comprehensive information and support for children and young people with SEND in Essex, including education, health, and social care services.

Our aim is to help families find the support they need when they need it. Information is up-to-date and easier to search for. The site will offer advice and guidance if you are new to the SEND system in Essex. It also includes advice on what to do if you have questions about the support your child is receiving.

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New Essex Local Offer website | Essex County Council

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We have improved access to information about Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) support for families.

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Founded in 2005 by a group of parents aiming to connect families and work to improve services along with creating opportunities for all to thrive in an inclusive society. In 2012, PACT became a registered charity. As our community grew and more adults began reaching out we expanded our focus to all ages.

We welcome anyone who identifies as Autistic, is seeking a diagnosis for themselves or a child, or simply wants to learn more about Autism and neurodiversity.

All of our staff, trustees, and volunteers have personal experience of autism and neurodiversity, bringing valuable lived experience to our work.

Our key services include

Connection - To our team, community and services across all ages individually or in groups

What’s On where you can find our events, drop in sessions, activities and more

Signpost to services, organisations, information and useful resources

Explore from a lived experience perspective

Register with us to receive our regular Community and What's on emails

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Autism Support | PACT For Autism | England

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PACT for Autism is a charity providing support for families and carers of individuals within the autism spectrum and similar conditions. We support people with or without a diagnosis.

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We are the parent carer forum in Essex for families whose children and young people, up to the age of 25, have special educational needs or disabilities.

Sign up as a member now for access to more resources and to join the mailing list to find out first about events and training and receive our exclusive member newsletter.

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We want to hear about the experiences of our SEND Families in Essex.

From NHS waiting times to support in schools, accessing clubs/activities to obtaining equipment to support your child.

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Welcome to the Essex Family Forum - Disabilities Support Community

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The Essex Family Forum will be a well-informed, connected and empowered community of families that includes children and young people up to the age of 25 with disabilities or additional needs. We will work in partnership with organisations, our Local authority and health commissioners aiming for quality outcomes that..

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What we do

All children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have a legal right to an education that meets their individual needs. But many tens of thousands of children and young people with SEND are not getting the support they are legally entitled to.

At IPSEA, we are here to change that.

We are the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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(IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

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IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) - helping children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the education they are entitled to by law

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SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service.

It’s a free, impartial, and confidential service offering information to young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and to their parents and carers.

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About SENDIASS SENDIASS stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service. It’s a free, impartial, and confidential service offering information to young people with special educational…

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Welcome to the Essex ActivAte holiday hub! Here you can access a whole host of free resources to keep your children active and entertained over the school holidays, as well as find out more about our free holiday clubs and how to book a space!

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A couple of weeks before each half term and holiday programme, we will post on our Facebook and Twitter pages when clubs are available to view, so make sure you're following our social media!
Easter, Summer and Winter - Main Holidays
If your child/ren is on benefit based free school meals (BBFSM), you will receive a voucher from your school with your unique booking code. You will receive one code, per child, per main holiday. You must book your child/ren onto a club, using the booking link on your voucher, and not on this website.

For further support on booking your child/ren onto a club using your code, click here.

If your child/ren are not on benefit based free school meals and you feel that they would benefit from attending one of our clubs, click here.

If your child cannot attend a club after they have booked on, please inform the club as soon as possible. Without doing so, you will lose your credits and stop someone else accessing a valuable space.

Take a look at our list of clubs delivering during the main holidays, including specialist SEND, mental wellbeing and secondary clubs.
June, October, February - Smaller Half Terms
To book your child/ren onto one of our clubs for half term, y ou will not receive a voucher from your school, and will need to book through our booking system, which will be live on our homepage ahead of the programme. You will need to select your area, find what clubs are available and book your child on. Depending on the club, you may need to book through our website, or contact them directly. For further information on smaller half term programmes, click here.

To find out if your child/ren are eligible for our programmes, click here.

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Welcome to the Essex ActivAte holiday hub. Here you can book onto FREE holiday clubs, access family support and download fun-filled resources to use at home!

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Supports children and young people with a learning disability and/or autism, children with a physical and/or sensory impairment through sport and leisure activities across West Essex.

How it can help

The Inclusion Project operates across West Essex and runs activities during both term time and school holidays.

Supporting children with a learning disability and/or autism aged 0-14, children with a physical and/or sensory impairment aged 0-14. Activities include soft play, stay and play, sports sessions, holiday programmes and sensory sessions.

The Inclusion Project is one of Essex's Short Break providers.

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West Essex Inclusion Project | Essex Local Offer

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The Inclusion Project operates across West Essex and runs activities during both term time and school holidays.

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Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

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Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

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The Family Hub offer we provide and the outcomes we aim to achieve ensures all families within Essex are supported from before children are born up to the age of 19 or 25 for those with Special Educational needs. We focus on making sure that everyone in Essex has the best possible start in life through having access to Free, high quality and easy access to services in your Community, School, Family Home or within a Family Hub.

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Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

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The Family Hub offer we provide and the outcomes we aim to achieve ensures all families within Essex are supported from before children are born up to the age of 19 or 25 for those with Special Educational needs.

We focus on making sure that everyone in Essex has the best possible start in life through having access to Free, high quality and easy access to services in your Community, School, Family Home or within a Family Hub.

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Welcome to your Family Hub - Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

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The Family Hub offer we provide and the outcomes we aim to achieve ensures all families within Essex are supported from before children are born up to the age of 19 or 25 for those with Special Educational needs.

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Big emotions are part of childhood. Anxiety, frustration, disappointment, anger, and overwhelm are all natural responses to a world that feels big, fast, and often confusing. But when those emotions show up at home through meltdowns, shutdowns, power struggles, or constant tension, families can begin to feel exhausted, unsure, and disconnected.

For many caregivers, the hardest part isn’t the feelings themselves, it’s not knowing how to respond in a way that actually helps. Emotional regulation is not something children are born knowing how to do. It’s a skill that develops over time, through repeated experiences of safety, support, and connection within the family.

Understanding how children express big feelings ,and how caregivers can support regulation together, can reduce stress at home and strengthen family relationships.

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When Big Feelings Show Up at Home: Helping Children Regulate Emotions as a Family

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Big emotions are part of childhood. Anxiety, frustration, disappointment, anger, and overwhelm are all natural responses to a world that feels big, fast, and often confusing. But when those emotions show up at home through meltdowns, shutdowns, power struggles, or constant tension, families can begin to feel exhausted, unsure, and disconnected.For many caregivers, the hardest part isn’t the feelings themselves, it’s not knowing how to respond in a way that actually helps. Emotional regulation is

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The Zones of Regulation is a trusted, research-based framework that builds emotional regulation and behavioral skills for life. Grounded in cognitive behavioral science, it gives individuals and communities a common language for navigating emotions—and the practical strategies to do it well.

Why It’s Different:
✔ Supports neurodivergent and neurotypical learners alike
✔ Enhances learning, focus, and resilience
✔ Builds capacity for co-regulation and connection

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Teach Kids to Manage Big Feelings Through Effective Social Emotional Learning

Over 80% of U.S. public schools reported in 2022 on the negative impact of the pandemic on child well-being and self-regulation. Kids are:

Struggling to manage their feelings and mental health

More disruptive in the classroom

Needing additional social, emotional, and behavioral support

(source: National Center for Education Statistics)

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The Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control.

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7 Fun Deep Breathing Exercises for Kids

Deep breathing helps kids calm down by slowing their heart rate and reducing stress.

Teaching kids these skills early helps them handle big emotions with confidence.

Fun techniques like bunny breathing, rainbow breathing, and star breathing.

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Breathing exercises for kids are an excellent way to overcome stress and overwhelming feelings. Here are a few exercises to try.

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Attention Deficit Disorder

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

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Autism spectrum condition / disorder

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Children and Adolescent mental Health services - emotional wellbeing mental health services

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Child Development Centre

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Education Health and Care Plan

# data[].attributes.body
Educational Psychologist

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Local Authority

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Oppositional Defiant Disorder

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Occupational Therapist

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Pathological Demand Avoidance

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Picture Exchange Communication System

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Speech and Language Therapy

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Special Educational Needs

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Journey of Autism Diagnosis and Early Support

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There is separate information about ADHD in adults.

Symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Symptoms of ADHD usually start before the age of 12. They involve a person's ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive).

A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

being easily distracted

finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions

forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks

They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:

having high energy levels

fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet

talking noisily

feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they're supposed to sit still

finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations

Most children and young people with ADHD have symptoms of both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive type. Some only show signs of one type.

ADHD is thought to be recognised less often in girls than boys. This may be because girls with ADHD more commonly have inattentive symptoms and these can be harder to recognise.

Many children are easily distracted, impulsive and have high energy levels, particularly if they're under the age of 5. This does not mean they have ADHD. It could be a sign of something else, like being tired, anxious or stressed.

Getting help for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If you're worried that ADHD may be affecting your child, talk to one of their teachers. An older child or teenager may choose to speak to a teacher themselves.

The teacher will usually make a referral to the school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).

The SENCO can discuss support in the classroom or with homework, or help with building confidence and friendships.

If you're still worried or you think your child needs additional support, you may want to make an appointment with a GP.

At the GP appointment, the doctor will ask about the child or young person's symptoms and how these affect their life. They may consider other conditions that could cause these symptoms, such as autism, Tourette's or anxiety.

People with ADHD may often have other conditions too, such as depression, anxiety or addictions, or a learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The GP or SENCO may recommend support groups or training for parents in your area.

Asking for an ADHD assessment

If support at home and at school is not helping your child, you may want to ask for an ADHD assessment. Speak to a GP or SENCO to request a referral for an ADHD assessment.

While waiting for a referral or assessment, the child or young person should continue to get support at home and in school. You can also contact your local council for advice, and to ask if there's a family hub in your area.

Family hubs support children and young people aged 0 to 19 (and up to 25 for people with special educational needs or a disability).

What happens at an ADHD assessment

The assessment will be with one or more ADHD specialists, such as a paediatrician, or a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

The specialist will talk with you and your child to find out more about any symptoms, and about family life. They'll also ask about your child's development, such as how old they were when they learned to do things like walking or reading.

There may be some forms to fill in before the appointment or as part of the assessment.

The ADHD specialist will usually contact a SENCO or teacher, or both, to see how your child is doing at school.

They may also ask your child to do a computer-based test to help assess their symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, the specialist will discuss what this means and what happens next, including what treatment and support may be available.

Waiting times for ADHD assessments

Waiting times vary and your child may have to wait several months or years for an ADHD assessment.

You may be able to find a clinic with shorter waiting lists through your GP using the Right to Choose scheme. Read about Right to Choose and your choices in the NHS.

You can ask for an NHS appointment at any clinic, including a private clinic, if it provides ADHD services for the NHS in England.

Find out more about diagnosis pathways for children on the ADHD UK website.

How to manage ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

There are different ways to support a child or young person with ADHD, including lifestyle changes, changes at school and at home, or medicines.

It depends on their symptoms, and not every child needs help or support from a health professional.

Talk to a SENCO (special educational needs coordinator), or a school nurse where available, about changes that could help a child or young person.

Finding out more about ADHD can also help parents, children and young people better understand the condition.

If your child or teenager has been referred to an ADHD service, a specialist will be able to give you more information and advice about how to help them.

Lifestyle

There are things you can do to help support a child or young person with their ADHD symptoms.

Support at school and at home

Discuss with a SENCO what adjustments or support may help at home and school.

This may include:

splitting up tasks, like doing homework or sitting down to eat, into 15 to 20 minute slots with a break in between each slot

giving clear and simple instructions one at a time in a calm voice

writing a to-do list and putting it somewhere easy to see

giving praise when a child or young person does well, or making a reward chart

Medicine

ADHD medicines must be started and monitored by an ADHD specialist. This includes:

medicine to help with ADHD symptoms, such as methylphenidate

melatonin for problems sleeping, when other methods for improving sleep have not worked

Children and teenagers may need to try more than one medicine to find out what works for them.

A GP may be able to take over prescribing ADHD medicines, but only if there is a "shared care agreement" between the GP and the ADHD specialist. To find out more, talk to your ADHD specialist or GP. Not everyone with ADHD needs to or wants to take medicine.

Talking therapies

Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) might be recommended to help a child or young person with ADHD with problem solving and expressing their feelings.

ADHD and mental health

People with ADHD may be more likely to have mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression.

They are also at higher risk of suicide.

If you're concerned about a child or young person, help and support is available right now if they need it. They do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone.
Find out about mental health support for children and young people

What causes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

The cause of ADHD is not always known. ADHD may be caused by genetic differences and often runs in families.

There are several other things linked to ADHD, including being born premature (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), having epilepsy, a brain injury or being autistic.

Some people with ADHD call themselves neurodivergent. Neurodiversity describes the range of different ways our brains work.

Help and support for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

If your child or teenager has ADHD, there are ways you can help them manage their symptoms with support from their school or a doctor.

There are ADHD support groups locally and online.

There are also a number of organisations and charities that offer information and support about ADHD.

ADHD UK

Information and support for anyone affected by ADHD.

ADHD Foundation

Information for anyone affected by a neurodivergent condition, including ADHD.

ADHD Adult UK

Information and peer support for parents of children with ADHD, and for adults with ADHD.

Young Minds

Mental health support for young people.

AADD-UK

Charity which lists support groups across the UK, including groups for adults, parents and carers.

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Find out about ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children and teenagers, the symptoms of ADHD, how to get a diagnosis and how to manage it.

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Just like adults, children and young people feel worried and anxious at times.
But if your child's anxiety is starting to affect their wellbeing, they may need some help.

What makes children anxious?

Children can feel anxious about different things at different ages. Many of these worries are a normal part of growing up.

From the age of around 6 months to 3 years it's very common for young children to have separation anxiety. They may become clingy and cry when separated from their parents or carers. This is a normal stage in a child's development and should stop at around age 2 to 3.

It's also common for preschool-age children to develop specific fears or phobias. Common fears in early childhood include animals, insects, storms, heights, water, blood and the dark. These fears usually go away gradually on their own.

There may also be other times in a child's life when they feel anxious. For example, many children feel anxious when going to a new school or before tests and exams. Some children feel shy in social situations and may need support with this.

When is anxiety a problem for children?

Anxiety becomes a problem for children when it starts to get in the way of their everyday life.

If you go into any school at exam time, all the children will be anxious, but some may be so anxious that they do not manage to get to school that morning.

Severe anxiety like this can harm children's mental and emotional wellbeing, affecting their self-esteem and confidence. They may become withdrawn and go to great lengths to avoid things or situations that make them feel anxious.

What are the signs of anxiety in children?

When young children feel anxious, they cannot always understand or express what they are feeling. You may notice that they:

become irritable, tearful or clingy

have difficulty sleeping

wake in the night

start wetting the bed

have bad dreams

In older children you may notice that they:

lack confidence to try new things or seem unable to face simple, everyday challenges

find it hard to concentrate

have problems with sleeping or eating

have angry outbursts

have a lot of negative thoughts, or keep thinking that bad things are going to happen

start avoiding everyday activities, such as seeing friends, going out in public or going to school

Find out more about the symptoms of anxiety on our page about anxiety disorders in children.

Why is my child anxious?

Some children are more likely to have worries and anxiety than others.

Children often find change difficult and may become anxious following a house move or when starting a new school.

Children who have had a distressing or traumatic experience, such as a car accident or house fire, may have anxiety afterwards.

Family arguments and conflict can also make children feel insecure and anxious.

Teenagers are more likely to have social anxiety than other age groups, avoiding social gatherings or making excuses to get out of them.

Find out more about social anxiety.

How to help an anxious child

If a child is experiencing anxiety, there are things that parents and carers can do to help.

First and foremost, it's important to talk to your child about their anxiety or worries. Reassure them and show them you understand how they feel.

If your child is old enough, it may help to explain what anxiety is and the physical effects it has on our bodies. It may be helpful to describe anxiety as being like a wave that builds up and then ebbs away again.

As well as talking to your child about their worries and anxiety, it's important to help them find solutions.

For example, if your child is worried about going to a sleepover, it is natural to want to tell them not to go. However, this could mean your child feels that their anxiety will stop them from doing things.

It's better to recognise their anxiety and suggest solutions to help them, so they can go to the sleepover with a plan in place.

Other ways to ease anxiety in children

teach your child to recognise signs of anxiety in themselves

encourage your child to manage their anxiety and ask for help when they need it

children of all ages find routines reassuring, so try to stick to regular daily routines where possible

if your child is anxious because of distressing events, such as a bereavement or separation, look for books or films that will help them to understand their feelings

if you know a change, such as a house move, is coming up, prepare your child by talking to them about what is going to happen and why

try not to become overprotective or anxious yourself

practise simple relaxation techniques with your child, such as taking 3 deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of 3 and out for 3.

distraction can be helpful for young children. For example, if they are anxious about going to nursery, play games on the way there, such as seeing who can spot the most red cars

turn an empty tissue box into a "worry" box. Get your child to write about or draw their worries and "post" them into the box. Then you can sort through the box together at the end of the day or week

Find out more

When should we get help?

If your child's anxiety is severe, persists and interferes with their everyday life, it's a good idea to get some help.

A visit to a GP is a good place to start. If your child's anxiety is affecting their school life, it's a good idea to talk to their school as well.

Parents and carers can get help and advice about children's mental health from Young Minds' free parent helpline on 0808 802 5544, from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.

Find out more about treatments on our page about anxiety disorders in children.

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How to help your child deal with anxiety about things such as going to school or socialising with friends. Also, how to tell when it's time to get medical help.

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Autistic people may act in a different way to other people

Autistic people may:

find it hard to communicate and interact with other people

find it hard to understand how other people think or feel

find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable

get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events

take longer to understand information

do or think the same things over and over

If you think you or your child may be autistic, get advice about the signs of autism.

Autism is not an illness

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people.

It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.

If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.

Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure". But some people need support to help them with certain things.

Autistic people can live a full life

Being autistic does not have to stop you having a good life.

Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.

Being autistic does not mean you can never make friends, have relationships or get a job. But you might need extra help with these things.

Autism is different for everyone

Autism is a spectrum. This means everybody with autism is different.

Some autistic people need little or no support. Others may need help from a parent or carer every day.

Some people use other names for autism

There are other names for autism used by some people, such as:

autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the medical name for autism

Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence

More about Asperger's

People with Asperger's do not have the same learning disabilities that many people with autism have, but they might have a specific learning difficulty.

Some people call this "high-functioning" autism.

Doctors do not diagnose people with Asperger's anymore because it's now thought of as part of autism spectrum disorder. But if you were diagnosed with it before, this will stay as your diagnosis.

It's not clear what causes autism

Nobody knows what causes autism, or if it has a cause.

It can affect people in the same family. So it may sometimes be passed on to a child by their parents.

Autism is:

not caused by bad parenting

not caused by vaccines, such as the MMR vaccine

not linked to diet

not an infection you can spread to other people

Autistic people can have any level of intelligence

Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence.

Some autistic people have a learning disability. This means they may find it hard to look after themselves and need help with daily life.

Autistic people may have other conditions

Autistic people often have other conditions, such as:

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

dyslexia

anxiety

depression

epilepsy

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Find out what autism is and how it affects people.

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Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.
It's a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing.

Unlike a learning disability, intelligence isn't affected.

It's estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia.

Dyslexia is a lifelong problem that can present challenges on a daily basis, but support is available to improve reading and writing skills and help those with the problem be successful at school and work.

What are the signs of dyslexia?

Signs of dyslexia usually become apparent when a child starts school and begins to focus more on learning how to read and write.

A person with dyslexia may:

read and write very slowly

confuse the order of letters in words

be confused by letters that look similar and write letters the wrong way round (such as "b" and "d")

have poor or inconsistent spelling

understand information when told verbally, but have difficulty with information that's written down

find it hard to carry out a sequence of directions

struggle with planning and organisation

But people with dyslexia often have good skills in other areas, such as creative thinking and problem solving.

Read more about the symptoms of dyslexia.

Getting help

If you think your child may have dyslexia, the first step is to speak to their teacher or their school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) about your concerns.

They may be able to offer additional support to help your child if necessary.

If your child continues to have problems despite extra support, you or the school may want to consider requesting an in-depth assessment from a specialist in assessing specific learning difficulties (SpLD), an educational psychologist or a speech and language therapist.

This can be arranged through the school, or you can request a private assessment by contacting:

Adults who wish to be assessed for dyslexia should contact a local or national dyslexia association for advice.

Read more about how dyslexia is diagnosed.

Support for people with dyslexia

If your child has dyslexia, they'll probably need extra educational support from their school.

With appropriate support, there's usually no reason your child can't go to a mainstream school, although a small number of children may benefit from attending a specialist school.

Techniques and support that may help your child include:

occasional 1-to-1 teaching or lessons in a small group with a specialist teacher

phonics (a way of teaching children to identify and process the smaller sounds that make up words) combined with other techniques

technology like computers and speech-recognition software that may make it easier for your child to read and write when they're a bit older

Schools and colleges must offer support to students with a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, and have access to specialist staff who are trained in helping students with special education needs.

Assistive technologies such as speech-recognition software, word processors and electronic organisers can be useful for adults, too.

Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace to help people with dyslexia, such as allowing extra time for certain tasks.

Read more about how dyslexia is managed.

Support groups

As well as national dyslexia charities such as the British Dyslexia Association (BDA), there are several local dyslexia associations listed on the BDA website.

These are independently registered charities that run workshops and help to provide local support and access to information.

What causes dyslexia?

People with dyslexia find it difficult to recognise the different sounds that make up words and relate these to letters.

Dyslexia isn't related to a person's general level of intelligence. Children and adults of all intellectual abilities can be affected by dyslexia.

The exact cause of dyslexia is unknown, but it often appears to run in families.

It's thought certain genes inherited from your parents may act together in a way that affects how some parts of the brain develop during early life.

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Read about dyslexia, a common type of learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

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Find out about auditory processing disorder, a condition where you have difficulty understanding sounds including spoken words.

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Dyslexia can present in many different ways, not just reversed letters and difficulties in reading.

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ADHD is not just children who can't sit still.

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Although autism is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls it can affect both. Not all children with autism have an area of extreme strength (like in Rainman).
Autism is a spectrum and can range from some people who exhibit stereotypical behaviours (non-verbal, spinning, flapping, only one interest) to others who you may not realise have a diagnosis - "Mild autism doesn’t mean one experiences autism mildly . . . It means YOU experience their autism mildy. You may not know how hard they’ve had to work to get to the level they are.” – Adam Walton

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Children with sensory processing disorders may react unexpectedly to some sounds, tastes, smells.

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Sensory Processing Disorder Mind Map (1)

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Dyscalculia is a difficulty understanding numbers and other mathematical concepts including sequencing e.g. days of the week.