Autism Workshops for Parents in Kent and Medway | Read the latest NELFT news from NELFT, including information about our services.

Parents and carers in Kent and Medway can now attend NHS workshops to learn more about autism and start implementing changes at home before a diagnosis.

The workshops focus on neuro-affirming care for the child or adolescent and correct language use. They provide important information for understanding autism, behavior, anxiety and sleep problems using evidence-based tools and techniques.

Angela, a local mother, attended the workshops because she was awaiting an autism diagnosis for her 12-year-old daughter. Angela said of the sessions:

“Before these workshops, I didn't know much about autism. We all had big problems as a family and felt like no one understood us.

“I have learned so much about how we can do things differently and how we can adapt the environment to help my child, with the support of highly qualified professionals who are non-judgmental, kind, understanding, extremely caring and helpful and can answer even the most difficult questions.

“Hearing other people’s experiences and questions has been so valuable because I now know that we are not alone and that there are others whose experiences are very similar.

“I have acquired the knowledge and skills to help my daughter at home and at school, with her relationship with her sibling, with all the difficulties she faces in every part of life, from waking up in the morning to going to bed at night and everything in between, including sleeping!

“It has brought me closer to her because I can now see the world through her eyes. I now understand that autism is a spectrum that is not linear, and that 'if you have met one person with autism, then you have met one person with autism.'

“I've had so many aha moments learning about neurodiversity and mental health that my own life also started to make sense for the first time. I'm very glad that my GP referred me for an autism diagnosis at age 44 and I feel able to ask for the support I need.”

Dr Joshua Nice, senior clinical psychologist and clinical lead for autism at NELFT, said:

“We try to reach as many people as possible with helpful information and advice so that we can start to adapt the approach and environment to the needs of the young person before an assessment is made.

“We talk about parental self-care from a compassionate perspective. We try to make families aware of the community resources available.”

The workshops are open to all parents and carers on the current waiting list, but also to those who believe their child has autism. If you would like to find out more, please email [email protected]