Support for parents of autistic children

Diagnosis

If your child has not yet been diagnosed with autism but you want to pursue a formal diagnosis please see more information below:

Information, advice and support for parents/carers

Gateshead's Local Offer gives children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs or disabilities, including autism, and their families information about what support services are available in and around Gateshead. It contains a section specifically written for parents/carers, a searchable online service directory, information about the SEND support and what support is available.

There are a number of services, organisations and people in Gateshead that can provide you with independent information and advice:

This service directory highlights local, regional and national services and organisations, some of which are autism-specific:

Gateshead Autism Service Directory (PDF, 749 KB)(opens new window)

Getting an autism diagnosis for your child can be long and overwhelming, here are some of the things other parents and carers have found helpful.

Advice from parents and carers when your child receives an autism diagnosis

Support hubs and groups

Autism Parent Support Group

Gateshead Autism Hubs parent support groups are for parents and carers of children who display traits associated with, or have a diagnosis of autism.

These sessions will provide a safe space for parents and carers to meet others in a similar situation and provide the opportunity for peer support, enabling parents to support each other, share experiences and ideas. These groups are facilitated by a Gateshead Autism Hubs team member. The aim is to provide a supportive and empowering environment for parents and carers.

Parent support groups are designed to be relaxed and informal, providing you with the opportunity to meet other parents/carers in similar situations and discuss any topics or situations that you might be finding challenging, as well as sharing positive stories, top tips, strategies and information. A member of the Gateshead Autism Hubs team will always be present at these drop-ins to provide support and facilitate the group.

Some sessions take place face-to-face and some take place online. More information on the family support groups (opens new window).

Gateshead Autism Hubs

Gateshead Autism Hubs offer parents and carers of autistic children and young people (0 to 25 years) information, advice and support on a range of challenges that can impact autistic young people and their families.

The Hubs provide:

multi-agency drop-in sessions
peer support groups (online and in person)
training for parents, carers, and professionals

The Hubs can also offer information and signposting on related co-occurring conditions, such as: FASD, ADHD, Sensory Differences, Social and Communication Differences, Mental Health, and Learning Disabilities. Gateshead Autism Hubs are free to access for parents and carers. An autism diagnosis is not required to access support.

Find out more on the Daisy Chain Project website.

Join the Gateshead Autism Hub Information Group on Facebook (opens new window)

Support available within Education Services

SEND thresholds

Provides a framework for education settings for identifying need and putting in appropriate support. SEND thresholds can be found on the Local Offer.

Portage

Portage is a home-based teaching service for pre-school children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. Portage staff are experienced Early Years practitioners who have expertise and understanding in recognising and developing the individual needs of every child. They support children and families living within the Gateshead area and staff working in pre-school and nursery settings.

Early Years Team

The Early Years Team consists of a team of specialist Early Years teachers and teaching assistants. They work closely with children and families, schools and settings and with other professionals and are skilled and experienced in working with children with special educational needs and disabilities. The team may offer assessments, interventions, support and reviews for children experiencing barriers to their development and learning, and for whom specialist intervention may be recommended.

Early Years Area SENDCos

The Area SENCo Team in Gateshead provides support, advice, training and information to PVI settings and schools on inclusive practice for children aged 0-5 years with special educational needs and /or disabilities (SEND) to help to make sure that all children are fully included within the setting.

High Incidence Needs Team (HINT)

The team provides advice, guidance and support to primary schools and secondary schools across Gateshead to meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). HINT has four specialist teams: Complex Social Communication; Speech Language Communication Needs; Cognition and Learning (for Specific Learning Difficulties); Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs.

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

The local authority employ two EBSA Learning Mentors who provide support for pupils in primary and secondary schools presenting with emotionally based school avoidance.

Educational Psychology Services

Educational psychologists provide a unique service that applies psychology and knowledge of children's development to help identify and meet the needs of children and young people 0-25 to improve the learning, wellbeing and mental health.

Support available within Health

NHS Little Orange Book

The The Little Orange Book (PDF, 6 MB)(opens new window) contains tips and advice on how to manage common illnesses and problems that babies and young children often experience in the first five years of their lives. It also has more information on more serious conditions, what to look out for and how to get help.

Visiting the dentist

The National Autism Society has published some really useful information about preparing for a dentist visit (opens new window), in recognition that this can be a stressful time for both children with autism and their parents.

Childcare, out of school clubs, parent support groups and social/leisure opportunities

The SEND activities directory has been developed to provide free and impartial information to families about activities suitable for those with SEND within the local and surrounding area and offered online.

Active Kidz

Gateshead Council's Play Service runs the Active Kidz Holiday Play Scheme during school holiday periods, some of which are available for children with autism to access. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. Phone 0191 433 7117 for more information.

Baby Sensory

Baby Sensory is for babies aged 0 to 13 months. These classes aim to help your child with their learning and sensory development.

You'll get ideas for creative play, massage, tummy time and more. Learn to use songs and rhymes to help your baby develop early speech and language skills. Or try sensory signing activities to help you and your baby communicate from birth.

Get in touch by calling 07710 161 671 or emailing gateshead@babysensory.co.uk

Find out more about Baby Sensory in Gateshead (opens new window).

Calvert Trust at Kielder

The Calvert Trust enables people with disabilities, together with their families and friends, to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure in the countryside.

For more information phone 01434 250 232 or visit the website (opens new window).

Citizens Advice

Citizens' Advice provide advice and information that you can trust. Their support is free and impartial. Advisers help figure out the best things for you based on what you need. They have a new service for people living with neurodiversity. Visit the Citizens Advice website (opens new window).

FACETS - specialist short breaks scheme for children and young people with Autism

Gateshead Council commissions a specialist short breaks scheme for children and young people with autism and associated learning disabilities/behaviours that challenge. This scheme is called FACETS (Families and Children Empowered Through Specialist Support).

The holiday scheme runs 9.30am - 3.30pm Monday to Friday during all school holidays (excluding the Christmas period and bank holidays). The service caters for children and young people aged five-17 with autism and associated learning disabilities/behaviours that challenge. All children who access the scheme have undergone a Child In Need (social care) assessment which has identified that they require specialist service provision.

For more information you can contact your child's social worker (if they currently have one).

Family Information Service

Gateshead's Family Information Service offers free, confidential and impartial advice and guidance to parents and carers on childcare (registered and un-registered) and early years services in Gateshead, free entitlement to early years provision and about childcare settings that have experience in offering services to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

For more information phone 0191 433 5118 or email fis@gateshead.gov.uk

Gateshead Children and Young People's Primary Care Mental Health Service

Gateshead's Children and Young People's Primary Care Mental Health service run drop-in sessions with children's therapists and wellbeing practitioners. They can offer you advice and information.

Sessions take place on different days and times. They run in local venues, such as the Baltic. You do not need to book. Your child does not need to have used mental health services before.

Find more information on the NHS website (opens new window). You can also email stsft.gatesheadcyppcn@nhs.net

Gateshead Parent Carer Forum

Gateshead Parent Carer Forum is a group of parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.

Parents and carers can meet together in a relaxed atmosphere.

They offer:

drop-in coffee mornings
information sessions
training events

Find out more on the Gateshead Parent Carer Forum website (opens new window).

Gateshead's Family Hubs

Our Family Hubs offer a variety of activities for children, young people and families. Our Hubs are accessible, welcoming venues for children with SEND. Most centres also have designated spaces for sensory facilities. Phone 0191 433 6310 for more information or preview our daily activities.

Gateshead Network of Children with Disabilities

Registering your child on the Gateshead Network of Children with Disabilities provides them with discounted access to leisure centres, swimming pools and cultural and historic places of interest in Gateshead.

Gateshead school directory

Many schools and academies offer out of school clubs, some of which may be open to children that don't attend that particular school. You can contact schools and academies directly to find out what's on offer and whether they are able to provide appropriate support for your child.

View the directory

The Toby Henderson Trust

The Toby Henderson Trust provides relevant, appropriate and accessible support for autistic young people from 2 to 20 years old, while also empowering parents, families and carers by sharing knowledge, experience and understanding.

The charity's focus is early pre-school intervention (age 2 to 7) to improve the long-term quality of life for both the autistic child and their family and carers.

For more information phone 01670 789 753, email info@ttht.co.uk or visit the website. (opens new window)

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company makes entertaining, accessible and informative drama about issues that are important to the company and to people with learning disabilities. They offer a range of arts projects, accessible to people with learning disabilities and autism including:

Spectrum - an autism theatre group based at Northern Stage for adults with autism spectrum disorders who live or work in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Fee-based academies for people aged 16+ with learning disabilities and/or autism, including Band Academy, Dance Academy, Performing Arts Academy and DJ Academy.

There is also a bi-monthly theatre night and film night and a monthly gig night and live karaoke at Dance City on the third Tuesday of each month. A club night called 'Fresh' also runs at World Headquarters in Newcastle on the 1st Tuesday every month.

For more information phone 07925 167 775 or email www.thetwistingducks.co.uk

See the Gateshead Autism Strategy 2025 - 2030