Neurodiversity
An online hub has been created where neurodivergent people living in Kent and Medway can find information and links to local and national support.
Focussing on learning disability, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the hub is split into sections for adults, children and young people, making it easy to navigate. There is also a section on Right to Choose which answers frequently asked questions.
As well as links to local support groups and support available in schools, the hub features advice on everyday life – including sensory differences and sleep – education, employment and volunteering, and keeping safe and well.
Visit the support hub at www.NDKentAndMedway.co.uk
This Is Me
‘This is Me’ is a new tool being rolled out in schools that looks at a child’s strengths and needs, focussing on neurodivergence. It will help everyone to understand a child’s differences and meet their needs at home and at school. A neurodivergent child’s brain processes information in a different way to others. They may have sensory differences, difficulty sleeping or adapting to a change in routine. They could find it hard to sit still, make friends or say how they feel. All of these things can make school very challenging.
Working with schools, families and children, a trained professional will complete a ‘This is Me needs summary’ after observing the child and talking to them. This will not result in a diagnosis but will help the child to get the support they need.
The ’This is Me needs summary’ looks at nine different areas. They are: speech and language; energy levels; attention and impulse control; emotional regulation ability; motor skills; sensory skills; adaptability and flexibility; empathising and systemising; and cognitive abilities.
You can access resources, strategies, and advice for each of the nine areas on the 'This is Me' resource hub. These are designed to be used with a 'This is Me needs summary' but you may find them useful even if you are not completing 'This is Me'.
If a child is waiting for an assessment for autism or ADHD, they will not lose their place on the waiting list by taking part in ‘This is Me’.
When ‘This is Me’ has been introduced in a school, it will be the primary method of referral for an autism or ADHD assessment. This means a child will get access to support from a new community team long before they have an assessment, which may not be needed once the support is in place. Prior to ‘This is Me’, families who requested a diagnosis from a GP would also need a report from the school (requested via the GP) so education has always had a high level of input.
Many children may not need a diagnosis as ‘This is Me’ provides personalised support based on a child’s needs.
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Caring for your Teeth
ToothPASTE is a resource that offers advice and support for families of young autistic children to care for their teeth. To find out more, go to the parents of children with special needs tab on our webpage and click on the toothPASTE link as shown below.