Autism support for parents and carers

Advice, guidance, online resources and organisations related to autism.

Share the following links with parents to signpost them to SLCN advice and guidance:

Online resources and organisations

Share the following online resources and organisations with parents.

Autism Central Peer Education Programme

Autism Central is a free service for parents, carers and personal assistants of autistic individuals of any age.

Its offer includes a range of information and guidance and online group sessions including the following:

  • drop-in sessions where parents and carers can talk about anything relating to autism
  • themed sessions covering topics such as anxiety, holiday survival strategies, sensory processing and eating, sleeping and toileting

Parents and carers can request one-to-one support via a phone or Teams call.

Children do not need to have a diagnosis for parents and carers to use this service.

To find out more and book visit The Autism Central Peer Education Programme - East of England Hub.

Autism Services Directory

Run by the National Autistic Society, helps autistic people, their families and the professionals who work with them find local and national services including:

  • employment support
  • diagnostic services
  • residential, supported living and respite
  • schools and nurseries
  • social groups and leisure activities
  • solicitors and advocacy organisations

To find out more and search visit The Autism Services Directory.

Community Cafes

Aims to open cafes in different parts of London to provide a safe space for the entire autistic community to meet up in person.

Run by the London Autistic Group (LAG) Charity.

To find out more visit Community Cafes - Meeting the needs of the London autistic community.

Essex Local Offer website

Find out about help available for children and young people (aged 0 to 25 years).

You can use the website to do the following:

  • understand what to do if you're new to SEND
  • browse for local support such as support groups, fun activities or specialist healthcare
  • find out what to do in a complex situation, for example, if you need to appeal a decision
  • get advice for young adults with SEND such as housing and employment support

To find out more visit The Essex Local Offer website. 

Essex Family Forum

The parent carer forum in Essex is for families whose children and young people (up to the age of 25) have special educational needs or disabilities.

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

To find out more and sign up visit Essex Family Forum.

Essex Local Offer Roadshows

In-person events for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

To find out more visit Essex Local Offer Roadshows.

Essex Mums and Dads

Listings for clubs for children with disabilities and special needs.

To find out more visit Clubs for children with disabilities and special needs.

Essex Short Break Clubs and Activities

Provides services for children and young people who have a disability or special education need (SEN).

Works closely with 23 approved service providers to deliver a wide range of fun clubs and activities.

To find out more visit Essex Short Break Clubs and Activities.

Essex Talk Listen Cuddle (TLC)

Campaign helping parents, carers and families give their young children the best start to life by developing their communication skills through playful learning at home.

To find out more visit TLC.

Families in Focus Essex

Parent-led charity, supporting families who have children or young people up to the age of 25 with any SEND.

Provided advice and support for over 25 years on:

  • accessing appropriate education
  • applying for EHC plans
  • disability benefits
  • SEND tribunal appeals
  • social care issues

They also run weekend activity clubs In Colchester and Chelmsford for SEND children and their siblings and are piloting a peer-to-peer family support service.

To find out more visit Supporting Essex families.

AirHop - previously Jump Street

AirHop Chelmsford is Essex’s biggest trampoline arena offering SEN trampolining sessions to help develop body awareness, coordination, balance and motor skills in a fun and safe environment.

To find out more and book visit SEN sessions.

Parents, Adults and Children Together (PACT)

A small charity that connects a neurodiverse community of parents, carers, autistic individuals and families with the wider community, organisations and services.

Based in West Essex, we listen, explore, explain, plan, signpost and connect you with organisations, services and others.

To find out more visit PACT for Autism.

POP Essex

Based in Braintree, it looks to fulfil the needs of SEND families through the power of play (POP).

The mission is to create a safe and secure environment for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities to play and experience childhood activities they often struggle to access.

Offers stay-and-play and respite sessions in Braintree for 0 to 19 year olds with SEND, their parents, carers and loved ones.

To find out more and book visit Community 360 - Power of Play helping SEND families in Essex.

Active Essex - SEND clubs

To find clubs across 4 key categories and levels of care ranging from ‘Level 1’ (mild-moderate needs, fairly independent) through to ‘Level 4’ (more severe needs, dedicated support needed) visit Active Essex.

SNAP Centre

No formal diagnosis or professional referral is necessary to access SNAP services. Available to families of children and young people aged 0 to 25.

The charity’s SNAP Centre offers a wide range of services including:

  • counselling
  • education advice sessions
  • email and telephone helplines
  • face-to-face parent support
  • specialist holiday sessions
  • support for siblings
  • training talks and activities for parents

To find out more visit SNAP - Essex support.

SEND IASS

Essex Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) provides free, confidential and impartial SEND information, advice and support for children and young people (0 to 25 years) and parents and carers.

To find help in your local area visit SEND Information Advice and Support Service (IASS).

We are purple

Bringing disabled people and businesses together to change the conversation from one of disadvantage and inequality to one about potential and value.

To find out more visit We are purple.