Suffolk ND Pathway

If you are wondering whether your child may be neurodivergent, you are not alone. There is a wealth of information, guidance and support available to help you understand your child’s unique strengths and needs and to support your family’s journey.

Supporting your Neurodivergent Child – Resource Pack

Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child is a comprehensive, parent‑led resource created by parents, for parents, to help families understand and support children and young people who experience the world in different ways. Drawing on lived experience, the resource brings together practical guidance, reassurance, helpful strategies and evidence‑based information from trusted sources, shared by families across Suffolk and Essex.

The pack explains neurodivergence in a strengths‑based and accessible way, covering autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, specific learning differences, Tourette’s syndrome, OCD and foetal alcohol spectrum conditions, including how these can overlap. It also explores identity, language and neurodiversity, supporting parents to better understand how their child thinks, learns and communicates.

Designed to support you wherever you are on your journey, the resource guides families through:

• early concerns, diagnostic pathways and what to expect
• talking with your child about neurodivergence and diagnosis
• support in early years, schools and further education
• day‑to‑day family life, including routines, sensory differences, sleep, eating and emotional wellbeing
• communication, sensory processing and emotional regulation
• health, mental wellbeing and self‑care for both children and parents
• transitions into adolescence and adulthood
• useful local and national services, resources and further reading

Throughout, the focus is on recognising each child’s unique strengths, understanding their individual support needs, and helping families feel informed, confident and less alone.

The original content was developed collaboratively by Essex Family Forum, Send the Right Message and MyOTAS. With their permission, Suffolk has adapted the resource by replacing Essex‑specific information with local Suffolk services, support and resources. This work has been informed by a wide range of sources and supported by the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum, ensuring the information reflects local knowledge and real parent experience.

Please note that written permission from Essex Family Forum is required for any distribution or duplication of this material that would commercially exploit the content. Graphic design by Essex County Council.

Parent and Carer Workshops: Psychology in Schools Team

The NSFT Psychology in Schools Team offers a free programme of online workshops for parents and carers focused on childhood neurodivergence. These sessions reflect the topics families have told us they find most helpful.

The workshops include:

• Understanding and supporting sensory needs
• Childhood neurodivergence: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Family
• Childhood Neurodivergence: What you need to know as a Parent/Carer
• Childhood Neurodivergence: Managing big feelings (including Anxiety and Low Mood)
• Childhood Neurodivergence: Building Understanding and Supporting your Child with Tourette’s/Tics
• Childhood Neurodivergence: Understanding and supporting sleep difficulties
• Navigating the diagnostic Journey
• Childhood Neurodivergence: Supporting your Child’s Education
• Childhood Neurodivergence: Understanding and Supporting Eating Difficulties
• As well as out conditions such as Tourette’s, OCD and a range of mental health topics.

Noticing differences

You may notice that some of your child’s reactions or development feel different from what you might expect. Trust your instincts — you know your child best. Sometimes others may not share your concerns, and that can be hard. If this happens, it can help to speak with a GP, health visitor, school nurse or a trusted member of school or early years staff.

It’s also okay if you weren’t the first to notice differences. Many parents naturally adapt to their child’s needs without realising, and for some families’ concerns are first raised by others. This is never your fault.

Thinking about assessment and diagnosis

Not all families choose to seek a diagnosis, and that choice is entirely up to you. Some families feel a diagnosis is helpful, while others focus on meeting their child’s needs without one — both approaches are valid.

A diagnosis of autism and/or ADHD is usually considered when a child or young person has ongoing differences across several areas, such as communication, interaction, attention, emotions or behaviour, and when these differences have a significant impact on everyday life. If your child has needs in only a small number of these areas, an autism or ADHD assessment may not be the right next step, but support can still be explored in other ways.

Whatever you decide, support is available to help you and your child, and you do not need to face this journey alone.

To access the Suffolk Neurodevelopmental Pathway, families need to work with a professional who knows your child and can support the referral. This is called a Lead Professional and is most often someone from your child’s school, such as a teacher or SENDCO.

Referrals can also be made by other professionals, including a health visitor, school nurse, GP, social worker or mental health practitioner. If the lead professional is not from your child’s school, we recommend that the referral is completed together with the school, so your child’s learning and education needs are fully included.

At the moment, families cannot make referrals on their own — a professional must submit the referral.

If your child is home educated or not currently in school, a referral can still be made by a professional who knows your child well. There is a separate Alternative Education referral form to make sure all children and young people can access the pathway.

Part One - for parents or caregivers to complete to capture details and insights into your child's or young person’s needs at home

Part Two - for professionals to complete to capture their understanding of your child's or young person’s needs.

What happens next?

Once the forms are sent:

• They are checked to make sure all the information is included
• If anything is missing, the forms will be returned so they can be completed
• Completed referrals are reviewed by clinicians to decide whether an assessment recommended

If an assessment is not recommended, the referrer will be told and next steps explained.
If an assessment is appropriate, your child will be added to the waiting list, and you will be informed.

Every family’s journey is different. The services below offer support at different stages, depending on your child’s age, needs and where you are in the neurodivergence journey.

If you want support while you’re waiting for assessment or diagnosis

• KIDS – Support for parents, carers and children, including sensory groups, sleep support, Lego Therapy, wellbeing sessions and parent workshops.
• Home‑Start – One‑to‑one and group support for parents of children aged 5–12, including peer support and help with routines, behaviour and wellbeing.
• Suffolk Family Carers – Emotional support, advice and guidance for parent carers, including 1:1 support, workshops and family activities.

• KIDS – Parent workshops (sleep and sensory), training and peer support.
• Home‑Start – Personalised parent support and peer groups.
• Suffolk Family Carers – 1:1 advice, action planning, workshops and respite opportunities.

• KIDS – Lego Therapy, Draw and Talk, sensory groups and ‘Understanding Me’ sessions.
• 4YP – Counselling and social groups for young people aged 7–18.
• Home‑Start parent and child groups – Relaxed sessions for children to play while parents connect.

• Family Action – Teen Life Programme – Post‑diagnostic support for parents of autistic teenagers.
• The Maze – Specialist parenting programmes focused on understanding neurodevelopment and navigating SEND and education systems.
• Suffolk Family Carers – Ongoing advice, guidance and support following diagnosis.
• Family Action (Teen Life Programme) – A structured course for parents of autistic young people aged 10–16.

• The Maze – Parenting programmes, videos and guidance on SEND and navigating education systems.
• Suffolk Family Carers – Information, advice and signposting.

That’s okay. Many families access more than one service as their needs change. Professionals can help guide you to the right support at the right time, and services will talk with you about what’s most appropriate based on where you are on your journey.

These support services are available to help children, young people and families in Suffolk at specific points in their neurodevelopmental journey.

You and your child may be able to access this support if your child or young person is aged 5-18, registered with a Suffolk GP and meets one of the following criteria:

• You have received written confirmation that your child has been added to the NHS autism and/or ADHD assessment waiting list.
  This means the referral has been reviewed through triage and clinicians have agreed that an assessment is the appropriate next step.
• You have received written confirmation that your child has been added to a Right to Choose autism and/or ADHD assessment waiting list with a Suffolk accredited provider.
  This also means the referral has been reviewed and an assessment has been agreed as the next step.
• Aged 5–18 and your child has received an autism and/or ADHD diagnosis, either through the NHS or through an accredited Right to Choose provider.
• Your child or young person is a child in care or a care leaver supported by Suffolk social care and has been accepted for an NHS or Right to Choose autism and/or ADHD assessment or has already received an NHS or Approved Right to Choose provider diagnosis. Even if they live outside the Suffolk area.

If you’re unsure whether your child is eligible, a professional involved in your child’s care can help guide you to the right support.

At the moment, these support services are not available for:

• Children under 5 or young adults aged 18 and over
• Children or young people awaiting confirmation of acceptance onto the pathway for assessment (via their letter)
• Referrals that have been reviewed at triage where an assessment is not recommended
• Children and young people who are accessing or have received a private autism and/or ADHD assessment or diagnosis
• Children using a Right to Choose provider that is not on Suffolk’s accredited framework
• Children who are not registered with a Suffolk GP
• Children registered with School Lane Surgery or Grove Surgery in Thetford, who should access support through Just One Norfolk and the Norfolk Local Offer

If your child isn’t eligible for these services right now, you’re not alone — and there is still support available.

You may want to:

• Speak to your GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse or school SENDCO, who can help you explore other support options for your child
• Ask about Early Help, school‑based support or local voluntary and community services
• Look at your local SEND Local Offer, which lists services, advice and support available in your area
• If your child’s needs change, ask whether a new or updated referral might be appropriate in the future

Even without meeting the eligibility criteria for these services, many families can still access valuable support. A professional who knows your child can help guide you to the right help at the right time.

Why have the support services changed?

The neurodevelopmental support services in Suffolk have recently been re‑commissioned. This means that when previous contracts ended, new organisations were chosen to continue providing support. This helps make sure services meet the current needs of children, young people and families across Suffolk.

Can I choose which service to use?

Yes. Each service offers something slightly different, so you can choose the one that feels right for your family. If you contact a service and they feel another provider would better meet your needs, they will help guide or refer you to the most appropriate support. Though it is important to remember the services offer support at different stages, depending on your child’s age, needs and where you are in the neurodivergence journey.

Will I be involved in decisions about support?

Yes. Families and children are involved in shaping services, and your views and preferences will be listened to when your needs are discussed. Support is planned with you, not for you.

What type of support is available?

Support may include:

• Parent and peer support groups
• Mentoring and emotional support
• Workshops and training
• Practical strategies to support sleep, sensory needs, emotions and wellbeing

The exact support offered may vary between services.

Are the new services similar to the previous ones?

The new services offer a range of support tailored to the needs of children and young people who have been accepted onto the assessment pathway, with a strong focus on wellbeing and family support.

Will support be available outside school hours?

Yes. While opening times may vary, services will offer support during evenings, weekends and school holidays, depending on demand, to help families access support when they need it.

How long can we access support for?

Support may be available while waiting for an assessment and after diagnosis.
If your child does not receive a diagnosis following assessment, services will help signpost or refer you to other appropriate universal support so support can continue.

Will support be available near where I live?

Yes. Services are available across Suffolk, usually within 60 minutes of where you live, with good transport links. Many services also offer online options.

Are the services inclusive and accessible?

Yes. Services are expected to be inclusive, age‑appropriate and accessible. This includes offering easy‑read materials and translated information where needed.

Have families and young people helped shape these services?

Yes. These services were developed using feedback from parents, carers, children and young people, and will continue to evolve through co‑production.
If you would like to share feedback, you can do so through the Suffolk Parent Carer Forum.

What happens if my child doesn’t receive a diagnosis?

If a diagnosis is not given, you will be signposted to universal support, such as webinars, workshops, resource packs and services listed on the Suffolk SEND Local Offer. Support and information remain available even if your child is not on the assessment pathway.