FAQ’S

Navigating the world as the parent of a neurodivergent child comes with incredible joys, unique triumphs, and, let’s be honest, a lot of questions. Whether your child has a new diagnosis, you’re looking for practical daily strategy shifts, or you just want to know you aren’t alone—you’re in the right place.

We’ve gathered the questions we hear most often from parents just like you. No judgment, no rigid "one-size-fits-all" advice—just real, compassionate, and actionable answers to help your family thrive.

If you have a question that’s not covered here, please feel free to get in touch and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Contact Us Here.

EDUCATION

  • No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. Schools must provide support based on your child's identified learning needs, not a medical label. If they are struggling to access the curriculum compared to their peers, the school is legally required to make "reasonable adjustments" to support them.

  • SEN Support is the extra help a mainstream school provides using its own internal budget.

    • Assess: The teacher and the SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) analyse your child’s struggles.

    • Plan: You, the teacher, and the SENDCo agree on specific interventions and goals.

    • Do: The school puts the adjustments into action (e.g., visual timetables, speech therapy groups, or sensory breaks).

    • Review: Everyone meets after a set period (usually 6 to 10 weeks) to check if the plan is working and alter it if necessary.

  • An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document issued by your Local Authority. It is designed for children with more complex or severe needs that require more resources or funding than a mainstream school’s standard budget can provide.

    • The Trigger: You or the school can request an "EHC Needs Assessment" if regular SEN Support isn't helping your child make progress.

    • The Timeline: The Local Authority has up to 6 weeks to decide whether to assess, and the whole process from request to final plan takes a maximum of 20 weeks.

SOCIAL

  • Absolutely. Two of the most effective tools used by specialists that you can easily use at home are:

    • Social Stories: Short, personalized stories (using simple drawings or photos) that walk your child through exactly what will happen in a specific scenario. For example: "When I go to the park, I might see other kids. I can say hello. If they are playing a game, I can ask 'Can I play?' If they say no, that is okay, I can play on the swings."

    • Role-Playing with Alternative Endings: Practice conversations using their favorite stuffed animals or action figures. Practice what to do when things don't go as planned, like a friend wanting to play a different game or saying "not right now."

  • You aren't doing anything wrong! Traditional playdates can be a sensory minefield. To set them up for success, try the "Low and Slow" approach:

    • Keep it brief: A 45-minute successful playdate is much better than a two-hour one that ends in a meltdown.

    • Host at home: Children usually feel safest in their own environment.

    • Structure the time: Use a simple visual timeline so they know what to expect (e.g., Arrival → 20 mins of LEGO → Snack → Saying Goodbye).

  • The most successful way to encourage socializing is to work around their specific interests. If your child loves LEGO, trains, drawing, or gaming, look for small groups focused entirely on that hobby.

    When children have a shared activity to focus on, the pressure to maintain direct eye contact or make small talk disappears. They are interacting through the object, which is much less stressful.