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This page explains different types of health needs and disabilities. Each section helps you understand what those needs might look like, how assessments work, what support may be available for you and your child, and where to find further helpful resources.
Every child and young person’s health needs are unique, and getting the right support can make a huge difference to their daily life, learning and wellbeing.
This page brings together information and guidance on a wide range of health-related topics that parent carers often ask about, including understanding health services, navigating assessments and appointments, getting the right support at home, and working with health professionals.
You don’t need a diagnosis to start accessing support, our aim is to help you understand what’s available, what you can ask for, and how to work with services to get the best outcomes for your child and family.
If you need more personalised help, please get in touch – we’re here to support you.
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ADHD affects attention, impulsivity, activity levels, emotions, and organisation.
Children may:
This is not bad behaviour and it is not caused by parenting.
Every child and young person with ADHD is different.
If you’re wondering whether an ADHD assessment might be helpful, your school or GP can refer your child once they turn 6 years old.
If a school makes the referral, this usually goes to the local NHS assessment service, which in Bristol is Sirona Care & Health.
You also have a choice about who carries out your child’s assessment. If you speak to your GP, you can ask for the referral to go to a specific provider instead of the local service. This is called Right to Choose.
Right to Choose referrals are often faster, and some providers can also support with medication, if that becomes part of your child’s care.
What to ask your GP
You don’t need to use special wording. You could simply say:
“I’d like to use Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment for my child.”
“Can you refer us to a specific ADHD assessment provider?”
“Could you talk me through our Right to Choose options?”
It can help to bring:
If you’re unsure, that’s okay, your GP should explain the options and help you decide what feels right for your family.
The first place to start is with us 💛
Other helpful support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our ADHD playlist by clicking here
Local Support
Come to a Bristol Parent Carers support session: view all the dates by clicking here
National Support
The Brain Charity – https://www.youngminds.org.uk
Anxiety is when worry or fear feels too big to handle.
For children, this can show up as:
This isn’t a child being difficult – it’s their way of trying to stay safe.
There is no formal diagnosis or assessment pathway for anxiety locally.
Support usually starts by:
Talking to school
Or speaking to your GP about worries
You still have the right to be listened to, taken seriously, and supported.
Start with connection 💛
Support often focuses on:
YouTube playlist
View our Anxiety playlist by clicking here
Local Support
National Support
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong difference in how someone experiences the world. It can affect how a person communicates, connects with others, and makes sense of what’s happening around them.
Autism is a spectrum, which means every autistic person is different. Some people may be sensitive to things like noise, light or smells, while others may find planning, organising or focusing more difficult. Some autistic people have strong interests, and others don’t, there’s no one “right” way to be autistic.
An autistic person’s needs can change over time, especially as their environment, routines and support change. All of these different experiences are part of the autistic spectrum.
Autism and overlapping needs
Some autistic people also have other differences or needs, such as dyslexia, a learning disability, or another neurodevelopmental difference. It’s quite common for these to overlap. For example, some autistic people may also be ADHD, dyspraxic (which can affect coordination and movement), or have conditions such as epilepsy, hypermobility, or Tourette syndrome.
While it can be helpful to understand common characteristics of autism, it’s important to remember that every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths, differences and support needs. Neurodiversity recognises that these differences are a natural part of human variation, and that people do best when their environment and support are shaped around them.
To request an autism assessment, you can speak to your child’s school SENDCo or ask your GP to make a referral.
If you go through your GP, referrals can be made to the local NHS provider, Sirona Care & Health. At the moment, waiting times can be long, often between 2 and 7 years; this can vary depending on a child’s needs.
You can also ask your GP about using the Right to Choose scheme instead. This allows you to request an assessment from a different NHS-contracted provider and may reduce waiting times
You don’t have to figure this out alone 💛
Support might include:
Sleep needs
For children pre-school age, contact your health visitor, Bristol North: 0300 125 6278, Bristol South: 0300 125 6264, Bristol East and Central: 0300 125 6274
For children who are 5-25 years old, try Happy Maps,the teen sleep hub or the national sleep charity. If your child is in school, you can also contact the school nurse team (0300 124 5816).
If you have concerns, there may be a physical or mental health reason for poor sleep. Please discuss this with your GP.
Sirona has a leaflet on sleep and medication, which you may find helpful.
Anxiety needs
Many autistic people experience the world as unpredictable and overwhelming, which can lead to ongoing stress or anxiety around uncertainty and unexpected change. Understanding and supporting the underlying causes of this anxiety can make a real difference.
Autism Central have lots of resources on anxiety, which you can view here.
Bristol City Council run a managing anxiety session for families of 6-18 year olds. You can request a space by completing this form.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services give support to children and young people who are finding everyday life difficult to cope with because of mental health issues.
Please see their website to find out more Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Sensory needs
Watch this video on sensory needs and check out these resources from Sirona.
There isn’t currently a local sensory support service. Bristol Parent Carers run free sessions that can help families and schools better understand sensory needs and how to support them. Please take a look at our events to see what’s coming up.
Autism Central have a great sensory podcast here, and the National Autistic Society have 10 sensory tips and other sensory resources.
Behaviour needs
Look at possible reasons behind emotional difficulties and put support in place to help manage them, such as difficulties with sleep, anxiety or mental health, and sensory processing needs.
National autistic Society has a helpful checklist of needs which could cause concers realted to behaviour, view it here.
Remember that in education settings, children and young people should receive the support they need to make progress, whether or not a diagnosis is in place. We explain how SEN support works in education settings in more detail in our Education section.
YouTube playlist
View our Autism playlist by clicking here
Local support
National Support
Behaviour is how children tell us something is wrong when words aren’t enough.
Behaviour may be saying:
“I’m anxious”
“This hurts”
“This is too much”
“I don’t understand”
Behaviour is information.
There is no diagnosis or assessment for behaviour itself.
Instead, professionals should look at:
Families usually start by:
Connection first 💛
Helpful support focuses on:
YouTube playlist
View our Behaviour playlist by clicking here
Local Support
National Support
A Care, Education and Treatment Review (CETR) is a meeting that looks at whether a child or young person is getting the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
CETRs are often used when:
The aim is simple: To keep children out of hospital wherever possible and make sure support is joined up.
If you’ve been told your child needs a CETR, it can feel frightening. Many parents worry that this means things are about to get worse. A CETR is meant to do the opposite.
CETRs are usually arranged through:
Families can:
You have the right to be involved, to ask questions, and to understand what is being decided about your child.
Come to one of our support sessions to talk it through with someone from the Bristol Parent Carers team. You can find out where we are by looking at our event page.
YouTube playlist
View our CETR playlist by clicking here
National Resources
NHS England – CETR guidance
Contact – https://contact.org.uk
Communication isn’t just talking.
Children may:
All communication is valid.
Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) assessments:
Families usually start by:
You can also make a referral to the service yourself or give their advice line a call.
East and Central Bristol
Tuesday: 9:30am – 12 noon
0300 124 6876
South Bristol
Wednesday: 9:30am-12 noon
0300 124 6876
North Bristol
Thursday: 9:30am-12 noon
0300 124 6876
General enquiries
0300 125 5145
Email
sirona.childrensslt@nhs.net.
All infomration on Sirona support for school age children is here
All information for children who are not yet in school can be found here
Start with us 💛
Support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our Communication playlist by clicking here
Local support
National Support
When people say a child has complex medical needs, they usually mean the child has more than one medical need, and that these needs overlap or interact with each other.
This may include a child young person or adult (age 0-25) who:
Families often tell us:
“Everything feels complicated.”
“I don’t know who is supposed to help.”
“I’m exhausted from caring for my child.”
If this is you – you are not alone, and you are not failing.
There isn’t one single assessment for complex needs.
Support usually starts by:
You have the right to ask for joined-up support and to be involved in decisions.
Start with people who understand 💛
Support for your child may include:
Local Resources:
Come along to a peer support session to talk to other fmailies who really get it: book a place with free travel and childcare here
Order a free copy of “Finding Your Way”, a book written by a parent carer living in Bristol with lots of tips and support. More info here
YouTube playlist
View our Complex Medical Needs playlist by clicking here
National Resources:
Some children find physical tasks much harder than others.
This might include difficulties with:
Children are often described as “clumsy” – but there is usually more to it than that.
There is no local NHS assessment pathway for DCD in Bristol.
What families can do:
You may need to pay privately for a formal DCD assessment.
However, Bristol Occupational Therapy services can still advise on functional difficulties if coordination is affecting your child’s everyday life.
You have the right to support based on need, not just diagnosis.
You’re not expected to work this out on your own 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free training on motor skills, dyspraxia, and school adjustments
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Coordination Difficulties playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Bristol Occupational Therapy Services – click here
National Resources
Dyspraxia Foundation – https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
Going to the dentist can be hard for lots of children — and for children with SEND, it can feel overwhelming or impossible.
Difficulties might include:
If dentist visits have been stressful or haven’t worked before, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Some children need specialist dental support, and that is okay.
Some children with special educational needs and disabilities are entitled to use a specialist dental service.
In Bristol, this is provided through the
University of Bristol Dental Hospital – Primary Care Dental Service (PCDS).
Families usually start by:
You have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments and to explore whether a specialist dental service would better meet your child’s needs.
Referrals are required for this service.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own 💛
Come along to one of our support sessions to talk through dental worries you can find all the dates on our events page
Other helpful support can include:
It’s okay if progress is slow; don’t add any additional pressure.
YouTube playlist
View our Dentist playlist by clicking here
This playlist includes short, gentle videos to help children and families:
Local Resources
Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition that affects learning, development, and health.
Children with Down’s syndrome may:
Every child with Down’s syndrome is unique.
Children with Down’s syndrome usually receive:
Families can:
You have the right to coordinated, long-term support.
Connection with other families really matters 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for training on learning disabilities and inclusive education
Support for your child often includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Down’s Syndrome playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Down’s Syndrome Association – https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Dyscalculia affects how a child understands numbers.
This can include difficulties with:
Children with dyscalculia are not bad at maths because they aren’t trying. Their brain processes numbers differently.
There are currently no local NHS or local authority assessment pathways for dyscalculia.
However, schools should still recognise that difficulties with number and maths are affecting your child, put appropriate support in place, and talk with you about what is helping.
Dyscalculia assessments, where families choose to pursue them, are usually carried out privately by:
These assessments look at how a child understands numbers, not how quickly they work.
Families often start by:
You have the right to ask about assessment options and to be involved in decisions about your child’s support.
You don’t need to wait until things fall apart 💛
Come along to one of our support sessions to talk it through and check our events page to see if we have free dyscalculia or maths-support training
Support might include:
YouTube playlist
View our Dyscalculia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Dysgraphia affects writing.
This may include difficulties with:
Children often know what they want to say, they just can’t get it down.
Parents often tell us:
“They can explain it out loud, but writing is a battle.”
Difficulties with writing are often explored through:
These services can usually talk about writing needs and recommend support, but they may be unwilling or unable to give a formal diagnostic label.
If a diagnosis is important for your family, you may need to consider a private assessment.
Families often start by:
You have the right to ask about assessment options and to understand what support should be put in place.
Writing shouldn’t hurt or feel impossible 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free handwriting, fine motor, or assistive technology training
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Dysgraphia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Bristol Occupational Therapy Services can be found here
National Resources
Understood – Dysgraphia – https://www.understood.org
PATOSS – https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Dyslexia affects how a child:
It has nothing to do with intelligence.
Many dyslexic children are:
But school can feel exhausting.
There is no local NHS or local authority pathway for a formal dyslexia diagnosis.
Schools, teachers, and Educational Psychologists can identify and describe learning needs – for example, difficulties with reading, spelling, memory, or processing.
However, they may be reluctant to use the label “dyslexia”, even when a child’s profile is consistent with it.
A formal dyslexia diagnosis is usually only available through a private assessment.
Families often start by:
You have the right to:
Support can make a huge difference 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free dyslexia-friendly learning training
Support for your child often includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Dyslexia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
British Dyslexia Association – https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Made By Dyslexia – https://www.madebydyslexia.org
Executive function is the brain’s management system.
It helps us:
When this is tricky, children might:
Many parents feel frustrated and guilty at the same time when their children ahve executive functioning needs. That’s really common.
Executive function isn’t usually assessed on its own.
It’s often explored through:
Families usually begin by:
You have the right to ask for support, even without a diagnosis.
Support starts with understanding 💛
Helpful support includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Executive Function playlist by clicking here
National Resources:
Understood – https://www.understood.org
FASD is a brain-based condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth.
It can affect:
Many children with FASD are misunderstood and blamed for things outside their control.
FASD assessments are:
Families usually start by:
You deserve informed support 💛
Come to a support session to talk openly and check our events page for FASD-informed or neurodevelopmental training
Support works best when it:
YouTube playlist
View our Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
A hospital passport is a simple document that tells hospital staff:
It helps staff understand your child as a person, not just a patient.
Hospital passports can be used:
Families can:
You have the right to reasonable adjustments in healthcare.
YouTube playlist
View our Hospital Passport playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Mencap – Hospital Passports – https://www.mencap.org.uk/help-and-advice/health/getting-help-your-health
A learning disability affects:
This is lifelong, and support needs can change over time.
Children with learning disabilities still:
Assessments usually involve:
Families often begin by:
You don’t need to figure this out alone 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Learning Disability playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Medical needs can be:
Medical needs can be stable, change over time, or be unpredictable. They might include:
Every child’s experience is different.
Medical needs affect more than health
Medical needs can affect learning, behaviour, sleep, attendance, and family life, not just appointments or treatment.
Support often needs to look at the whole child and whole family. You may be eligible for support form socila care if your child has these types of needs. You can read more here.
Medical needs are usually managed through:
Families can:
You don’t need to explain everything from scratch 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Medical Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Neurodiversity is the idea that:
Neurodivergent describes people whose brains work differently from what society expects (for example autistic people, ADHDers, dyslexic people).
Language matters – and families may hear different words used in different places.
There is no assessment for “neurodiversity” itself.
Families usually:
You have the right to respectful language and to choose what feels right for your family.
You don’t need to have the language perfect 💛
Support for your child may be:
YouTube playlist
View our Neurodiversity playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Physical needs affect how a child:
This can be visible or invisible – and it can change over time.
Assessments may involve:
Families usually start by:
You don’t need to push for perfection 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Physical Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Selective mutism is an anxiety-based difficulty, not a choice.
Children may:
They are not being rude or stubborn – their anxiety is stopping speech.
Assessment usually involves:
Families start by:
Gentle support matters most 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Selective Mutism playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Sensory needs affect how children experience:
Children may be over-sensitive, under-sensitive, or both.
Sensory needs are often explored through Occupational Therapy, but there is no sensory support service in Bristol. You can talk to your school who may have some ideas, or see our videos in the resource section below.
If your child has sensorry needs, you have the right to adjustments, even without a diagnosis.
Understanding changes everything 💛
Support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our Sensory Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Sleep difficulties can include:
Poor sleep affects everyone in the family.
Sleep doesn’t usually have a diagnosis on its own.
Families can:
You have the right to be taken seriously; sleep deprivation is hard.
You deserve rest too 💛
YouTube playlist
View our Sleep playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Toileting difficulties are very common, especially for SEND children.
This can include:
This is not laziness or defiance.
Support may involve:
Families can:
Families should not have to collect children from their education setting due to toileting needs. You have the right to dignity and support for your child.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed 💛
Come to a support session and check our events page for toileting and personal care training
YouTube playlist
View our Toileting playlist by clicking here
National Resources
The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity ERIC – https://eric.org.uk/children-with-additional-needs/
Tourette syndrome causes tics.
Tics are:
Children cannot control tics, even if they can suppress them briefly.
Assessment usually involves:
Families start by:
You have the right to understanding and reasonable adjustments.
Understanding reduces stigma 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for training on tics, Tourette’s, and school support
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Tourettes playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Tourettes Action Bristol – https://www.facebook.com/groups/302552363191756/
National Resources
Tourettes Action – https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk
ADHD affects attention, impulsivity, activity levels, emotions, and organisation.
Children may:
This is not bad behaviour and it is not caused by parenting.
Every child and young person with ADHD is different.
If you’re wondering whether an ADHD assessment might be helpful, your school or GP can refer your child once they turn 6 years old.
If a school makes the referral, this usually goes to the local NHS assessment service, which in Bristol is Sirona Care & Health.
You also have a choice about who carries out your child’s assessment. If you speak to your GP, you can ask for the referral to go to a specific provider instead of the local service. This is called Right to Choose.
Right to Choose referrals are often faster, and some providers can also support with medication, if that becomes part of your child’s care.
What to ask your GP
You don’t need to use special wording. You could simply say:
“I’d like to use Right to Choose for an ADHD assessment for my child.”
“Can you refer us to a specific ADHD assessment provider?”
“Could you talk me through our Right to Choose options?”
It can help to bring:
If you’re unsure, that’s okay, your GP should explain the options and help you decide what feels right for your family.
The first place to start is with us 💛
Other helpful support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our ADHD playlist by clicking here
Local Support
Come to a Bristol Parent Carers support session: view all the dates by clicking here
National Support
The Brain Charity – https://www.youngminds.org.uk
Anxiety is when worry or fear feels too big to handle.
For children, this can show up as:
This isn’t a child being difficult – it’s their way of trying to stay safe.
There is no formal diagnosis or assessment pathway for anxiety locally.
Support usually starts by:
Talking to school
Or speaking to your GP about worries
You still have the right to be listened to, taken seriously, and supported.
Start with connection 💛
Support often focuses on:
YouTube playlist
View our Anxiety playlist by clicking here
Local Support
National Support
What is autism?
Autism is a lifelong difference in how someone experiences the world. It can affect how a person communicates, connects with others, and makes sense of what’s happening around them.
Autism is a spectrum, which means every autistic person is different. Some people may be sensitive to things like noise, light or smells, while others may find planning, organising or focusing more difficult. Some autistic people have strong interests, and others don’t, there’s no one “right” way to be autistic.
An autistic person’s needs can change over time, especially as their environment, routines and support change. All of these different experiences are part of the autistic spectrum.
Autism and overlapping needs
Some autistic people also have other differences or needs, such as dyslexia, a learning disability, or another neurodevelopmental difference. It’s quite common for these to overlap. For example, some autistic people may also be ADHD, dyspraxic (which can affect coordination and movement), or have conditions such as epilepsy, hypermobility, or Tourette syndrome.
While it can be helpful to understand common characteristics of autism, it’s important to remember that every autistic person is unique, with their own strengths, differences and support needs. Neurodiversity recognises that these differences are a natural part of human variation, and that people do best when their environment and support are shaped around them.
To request an autism assessment, you can speak to your child’s school SENDCo or ask your GP to make a referral.
If you go through your GP, referrals can be made to the local NHS provider, Sirona Care & Health. At the moment, waiting times can be long, often between 2 and 7 years; this can vary depending on a child’s needs.
You can also ask your GP about using the Right to Choose scheme instead. This allows you to request an assessment from a different NHS-contracted provider and may reduce waiting times
You don’t have to figure this out alone 💛
Support might include:
Sleep needs
For children pre-school age, contact your health visitor, Bristol North: 0300 125 6278, Bristol South: 0300 125 6264, Bristol East and Central: 0300 125 6274
For children who are 5-25 years old, try Happy Maps,the teen sleep hub or the national sleep charity. If your child is in school, you can also contact the school nurse team (0300 124 5816).
If you have concerns, there may be a physical or mental health reason for poor sleep. Please discuss this with your GP.
Sirona has a leaflet on sleep and medication, which you may find helpful.
Anxiety needs
Many autistic people experience the world as unpredictable and overwhelming, which can lead to ongoing stress or anxiety around uncertainty and unexpected change. Understanding and supporting the underlying causes of this anxiety can make a real difference.
Autism Central have lots of resources on anxiety, which you can view here.
Bristol City Council run a managing anxiety session for families of 6-18 year olds. You can request a space by completing this form.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services give support to children and young people who are finding everyday life difficult to cope with because of mental health issues.
Please see their website to find out more Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Sensory needs
Watch this video on sensory needs and check out these resources from Sirona.
There isn’t currently a local sensory support service. Bristol Parent Carers run free sessions that can help families and schools better understand sensory needs and how to support them. Please take a look at our events to see what’s coming up.
Autism Central have a great sensory podcast here, and the National Autistic Society have 10 sensory tips and other sensory resources.
Behaviour needs
Look at possible reasons behind emotional difficulties and put support in place to help manage them, such as difficulties with sleep, anxiety or mental health, and sensory processing needs.
National autistic Society has a helpful checklist of needs which could cause concers realted to behaviour, view it here.
Remember that in education settings, children and young people should receive the support they need to make progress, whether or not a diagnosis is in place. We explain how SEN support works in education settings in more detail in our Education section.
YouTube playlist
View our Autism playlist by clicking here
Local support
National Support
Behaviour is how children tell us something is wrong when words aren’t enough.
Behaviour may be saying:
“I’m anxious”
“This hurts”
“This is too much”
“I don’t understand”
Behaviour is information.
There is no diagnosis or assessment for behaviour itself.
Instead, professionals should look at:
Families usually start by:
Connection first 💛
Helpful support focuses on:
YouTube playlist
View our Behaviour playlist by clicking here
Local Support
National Support
A Care, Education and Treatment Review (CETR) is a meeting that looks at whether a child or young person is getting the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
CETRs are often used when:
The aim is simple: To keep children out of hospital wherever possible and make sure support is joined up.
If you’ve been told your child needs a CETR, it can feel frightening. Many parents worry that this means things are about to get worse. A CETR is meant to do the opposite.
CETRs are usually arranged through:
Families can:
You have the right to be involved, to ask questions, and to understand what is being decided about your child.
Come to one of our support sessions to talk it through with someone from the Bristol Parent Carers team. You can find out where we are by looking at our event page.
YouTube playlist
View our CETR playlist by clicking here
National Resources
NHS England – CETR guidance
Contact – https://contact.org.uk
Communication isn’t just talking.
Children may:
All communication is valid.
Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) assessments:
Families usually start by:
You can also make a referral to the service yourself or give their advice line a call.
East and Central Bristol
Tuesday: 9:30am – 12 noon
0300 124 6876
South Bristol
Wednesday: 9:30am-12 noon
0300 124 6876
North Bristol
Thursday: 9:30am-12 noon
0300 124 6876
General enquiries
0300 125 5145
Email
sirona.childrensslt@nhs.net.
All infomration on Sirona support for school age children is here
All information for children who are not yet in school can be found here
Start with us 💛
Support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our Communication playlist by clicking here
Local support
National Support
When people say a child has complex medical needs, they usually mean the child has more than one medical need, and that these needs overlap or interact with each other.
This may include a child young person or adult (age 0-25) who:
Families often tell us:
“Everything feels complicated.”
“I don’t know who is supposed to help.”
“I’m exhausted from caring for my child.”
If this is you – you are not alone, and you are not failing.
There isn’t one single assessment for complex needs.
Support usually starts by:
You have the right to ask for joined-up support and to be involved in decisions.
Start with people who understand 💛
Support for your child may include:
Local Resources:
Come along to a peer support session to talk to other fmailies who really get it: book a place with free travel and childcare here
Order a free copy of “Finding Your Way”, a book written by a parent carer living in Bristol with lots of tips and support. More info here
YouTube playlist
View our Complex Medical Needs playlist by clicking here
National Resources:
Some children find physical tasks much harder than others.
This might include difficulties with:
Children are often described as “clumsy” – but there is usually more to it than that.
There is no local NHS assessment pathway for DCD in Bristol.
What families can do:
You may need to pay privately for a formal DCD assessment.
However, Bristol Occupational Therapy services can still advise on functional difficulties if coordination is affecting your child’s everyday life.
You have the right to support based on need, not just diagnosis.
You’re not expected to work this out on your own 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free training on motor skills, dyspraxia, and school adjustments
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Coordination Difficulties playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Bristol Occupational Therapy Services – click here
National Resources
Dyspraxia Foundation – https://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
Going to the dentist can be hard for lots of children — and for children with SEND, it can feel overwhelming or impossible.
Difficulties might include:
If dentist visits have been stressful or haven’t worked before, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Some children need specialist dental support, and that is okay.
Some children with special educational needs and disabilities are entitled to use a specialist dental service.
In Bristol, this is provided through the
University of Bristol Dental Hospital – Primary Care Dental Service (PCDS).
Families usually start by:
You have the right to ask for reasonable adjustments and to explore whether a specialist dental service would better meet your child’s needs.
Referrals are required for this service.
You don’t have to figure this out on your own 💛
Come along to one of our support sessions to talk through dental worries you can find all the dates on our events page
Other helpful support can include:
It’s okay if progress is slow; don’t add any additional pressure.
YouTube playlist
View our Dentist playlist by clicking here
This playlist includes short, gentle videos to help children and families:
Local Resources
Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition that affects learning, development, and health.
Children with Down’s syndrome may:
Every child with Down’s syndrome is unique.
Children with Down’s syndrome usually receive:
Families can:
You have the right to coordinated, long-term support.
Connection with other families really matters 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for training on learning disabilities and inclusive education
Support for your child often includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Down’s Syndrome playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Down’s Syndrome Association – https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Dyscalculia affects how a child understands numbers.
This can include difficulties with:
Children with dyscalculia are not bad at maths because they aren’t trying. Their brain processes numbers differently.
There are currently no local NHS or local authority assessment pathways for dyscalculia.
However, schools should still recognise that difficulties with number and maths are affecting your child, put appropriate support in place, and talk with you about what is helping.
Dyscalculia assessments, where families choose to pursue them, are usually carried out privately by:
These assessments look at how a child understands numbers, not how quickly they work.
Families often start by:
You have the right to ask about assessment options and to be involved in decisions about your child’s support.
You don’t need to wait until things fall apart 💛
Come along to one of our support sessions to talk it through and check our events page to see if we have free dyscalculia or maths-support training
Support might include:
YouTube playlist
View our Dyscalculia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Dysgraphia affects writing.
This may include difficulties with:
Children often know what they want to say, they just can’t get it down.
Parents often tell us:
“They can explain it out loud, but writing is a battle.”
Difficulties with writing are often explored through:
These services can usually talk about writing needs and recommend support, but they may be unwilling or unable to give a formal diagnostic label.
If a diagnosis is important for your family, you may need to consider a private assessment.
Families often start by:
You have the right to ask about assessment options and to understand what support should be put in place.
Writing shouldn’t hurt or feel impossible 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free handwriting, fine motor, or assistive technology training
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Dysgraphia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Bristol Occupational Therapy Services can be found here
National Resources
Understood – Dysgraphia – https://www.understood.org
PATOSS – https://www.patoss-dyslexia.org
Dyslexia affects how a child:
It has nothing to do with intelligence.
Many dyslexic children are:
But school can feel exhausting.
There is no local NHS or local authority pathway for a formal dyslexia diagnosis.
Schools, teachers, and Educational Psychologists can identify and describe learning needs – for example, difficulties with reading, spelling, memory, or processing.
However, they may be reluctant to use the label “dyslexia”, even when a child’s profile is consistent with it.
A formal dyslexia diagnosis is usually only available through a private assessment.
Families often start by:
You have the right to:
Support can make a huge difference 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for free dyslexia-friendly learning training
Support for your child often includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Dyslexia playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
British Dyslexia Association – https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
Made By Dyslexia – https://www.madebydyslexia.org
Executive function is the brain’s management system.
It helps us:
When this is tricky, children might:
Many parents feel frustrated and guilty at the same time when their children ahve executive functioning needs. That’s really common.
Executive function isn’t usually assessed on its own.
It’s often explored through:
Families usually begin by:
You have the right to ask for support, even without a diagnosis.
Support starts with understanding 💛
Helpful support includes:
YouTube playlist
View our Executive Function playlist by clicking here
National Resources:
Understood – https://www.understood.org
FASD is a brain-based condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth.
It can affect:
Many children with FASD are misunderstood and blamed for things outside their control.
FASD assessments are:
Families usually start by:
You deserve informed support 💛
Come to a support session to talk openly and check our events page for FASD-informed or neurodevelopmental training
Support works best when it:
YouTube playlist
View our Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
A hospital passport is a simple document that tells hospital staff:
It helps staff understand your child as a person, not just a patient.
Hospital passports can be used:
Families can:
You have the right to reasonable adjustments in healthcare.
YouTube playlist
View our Hospital Passport playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Mencap – Hospital Passports – https://www.mencap.org.uk/help-and-advice/health/getting-help-your-health
A learning disability affects:
This is lifelong, and support needs can change over time.
Children with learning disabilities still:
Assessments usually involve:
Families often begin by:
You don’t need to figure this out alone 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Learning Disability playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Medical needs can be:
Medical needs can be stable, change over time, or be unpredictable. They might include:
Every child’s experience is different.
Medical needs affect more than health
Medical needs can affect learning, behaviour, sleep, attendance, and family life, not just appointments or treatment.
Support often needs to look at the whole child and whole family. You may be eligible for support form socila care if your child has these types of needs. You can read more here.
Medical needs are usually managed through:
Families can:
You don’t need to explain everything from scratch 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Medical Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Neurodiversity is the idea that:
Neurodivergent describes people whose brains work differently from what society expects (for example autistic people, ADHDers, dyslexic people).
Language matters – and families may hear different words used in different places.
There is no assessment for “neurodiversity” itself.
Families usually:
You have the right to respectful language and to choose what feels right for your family.
You don’t need to have the language perfect 💛
Support for your child may be:
YouTube playlist
View our Neurodiversity playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Physical needs affect how a child:
This can be visible or invisible – and it can change over time.
Assessments may involve:
Families usually start by:
You don’t need to push for perfection 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Physical Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Selective mutism is an anxiety-based difficulty, not a choice.
Children may:
They are not being rude or stubborn – their anxiety is stopping speech.
Assessment usually involves:
Families start by:
Gentle support matters most 💛
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Selective Mutism playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Sensory needs affect how children experience:
Children may be over-sensitive, under-sensitive, or both.
Sensory needs are often explored through Occupational Therapy, but there is no sensory support service in Bristol. You can talk to your school who may have some ideas, or see our videos in the resource section below.
If your child has sensorry needs, you have the right to adjustments, even without a diagnosis.
Understanding changes everything 💛
Support can include:
YouTube playlist
View our Sensory Needs playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Sleep difficulties can include:
Poor sleep affects everyone in the family.
Sleep doesn’t usually have a diagnosis on its own.
Families can:
You have the right to be taken seriously; sleep deprivation is hard.
You deserve rest too 💛
YouTube playlist
View our Sleep playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
National Resources
Toileting difficulties are very common, especially for SEND children.
This can include:
This is not laziness or defiance.
Support may involve:
Families can:
Families should not have to collect children from their education setting due to toileting needs. You have the right to dignity and support for your child.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed 💛
Come to a support session and check our events page for toileting and personal care training
YouTube playlist
View our Toileting playlist by clicking here
National Resources
The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity ERIC – https://eric.org.uk/children-with-additional-needs/
Tourette syndrome causes tics.
Tics are:
Children cannot control tics, even if they can suppress them briefly.
Assessment usually involves:
Families start by:
You have the right to understanding and reasonable adjustments.
Understanding reduces stigma 💛
Come to one of our support sessions and check our events page for training on tics, Tourette’s, and school support
Support for your child may include:
YouTube playlist
View our Tourettes playlist by clicking here
Local Resources
Tourettes Action Bristol – https://www.facebook.com/groups/302552363191756/
National Resources
Tourettes Action – https://www.tourettes-action.org.uk
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