General Autism Spectrum websites and forums
- ABLEize Berkshire Disability Resources – lists disability and special needs groups, clubs and support services – https://www.ableize.com/disabled-groups-and-clubs-by-county/berkshire/
- Alafia Reading – http://www.learningdisabilitiesinreading.co.uk/carers/alafia/
- Ambitious About Autism – http://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk
- ASD Family Help (Wokingham and West Berkshire) – http://www.asdfamilyhelp.org
- Asperger and ASD UK on-line forum – http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum
- Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation – http://www.aspergerfoundation.org.uk.
- AutAngel (Reading) – http://www.autangel.org.uk
- Autism Education Trust (AET) – http://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
- Autism Independent UK (SFTAH) – http://www.autismuk.com
- Autism Kids on Tour – reviews of days out, holidays, restaurants, accommodations, products and activities, plus blog posts about autism and parenting – https://autismkidsontour.com
- Autism Links – a directory of autism advice and services in the UK – http://www.autismlinks.co.uk
- Autism West Midlands – http://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk
- Autistica UK – funds autism research – https://www.autistica.org.uk/
- BILD – British Institute of Learning Disabilities – http://www.bild.org.uk
- Bullying Online – http://www.bullying.co.uk
- Carers Trust – http://www.carers.org
- Cerebra – http://www.cerebra.org.uk
- Communicating with an Autistic Child: a parents’ guide – http://www.wiseoldsayings.com
- Contact a Family – for families with disabled children – http://www.cafamily.org.uk
- Dental Care advice https://www.emergencydentistsusa.com/autism-and-dental-care/
- Dingley’s Promise, supports under-5s with additional needs & disabilities and their families in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire – http://www.dingley.org.uk
- Discover – UK network which connects autistic people and families with autism researchers seeking participants for studies https://www.autistica.org.uk/get-involved/take-part-in-research
- Donna Williams’ website – http://www.donnawilliams.net
- Equality and Human Rights Commission – challenges discrimination and protects human rights – http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
- ERIC – Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence – http://www.eric.org.uk
- Family Fund – provides grants to families raising disabled or seriously-ill children aged 17 or under – http://www.familyfund.org.uk
- Housing and Support Alliance – http://www.housingandsupport.org.uk
- Liane Holliday-Willey’s Website – http://www.aspie.com
- Living Well with autism – US parent-run website with lots of ideas and free or inexpensive resources – http://livingwellwithautism.com/welcome
- Mencap – a leading UK charity working with people with a learning disability and their families/carers – http://www.mencap.org.uk
- Me2 Club – supports children and young people with additional needs and disabilities, aged 5-19, living in the Borough of Wokingham, so they can attend mainstream activity clubs – http://me2club.org.uk/
- Mencap Reading – http://www.readingmencap.org.uk
- NAS Autism Services Directory – NAS Information Service – https://www.autism.org.uk/autismdirectory
- NAS Surrey Branch – http://www.nassurreybranch.org/home.html
- NAS West Berkshire – http://www.westberksnas.org.uk
- National Autistic Society – http://www.autism.org.uk
- OAASIS – Information resource – http://www.oaasis.co.uk
- OASIS – Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support – http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
- Parenting Special Children – http://www.parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
- PDA Society – information, support and training about pathological demand avoidance – https://www.pdasociety.org.uk
- PEACH – Parents for the early intervention of Autism www.peach.org.uk
- Phoebe Caldwell’s website – http://www.phoebecaldwell.co.uk/films.asp
- Research Autism – http://www.researchautism.net
- Special Voices Slough – http://specialvoices.co.uk
- Stand Out for Autism (Maidenhead) – http://www.standoutforautism.com
- Temple Grandin website – http://www.templegrandin.com
- The Dyspraxia Foundation – www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
- The Engine Shed (Reading) special interest club for autistic children, young people and adults (siblings also welcome) who love trains – http://www.theengineshed.org.uk and http://www.facebook.com/theengineshed/
- The Princess Royal Trust for Carers – www.carers.org
- Tony Attwood website – www.tonyattwood.com.au
- Wenn Lawson’s website – www.mugsy.org/wendy
- West Berkshire PDA Support Group – www.westberkspdasupportgroup.co.uk/
- Wrong Planet web community, designed for individuals with Asperger syndrome, Autism and other PDDs – http://wrongplanet.net/
Autism Berkshire works in partnership with organisations across Berkshire with the aim of providing the best possible services for people living with autism and their families.
Local Offer provision from councils
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, all local authorities must publish a Local Offer guide, detailing what support is available for families of children with special educational needs. For details of Local Offer provision in your council area, click on the relevant link below.
- Bracknell Forest – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- Reading – www.reading.gov.uk
- Slough – www.slough.gov.uk
- West Berkshire – www.westberks.gov.uk
- Windsor & Maidenhead – www.rbwm.gov.uk
- Wokingham – www.wokingham.gov.uk
Health Services
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust – www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk – runs the CAMHS and Adult Diagnosis services.
The trust has a dedicated website for its services for Children, Young People and Families – https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
The following Local Healthwatch organisations monitor health and social care services on behalf of patients and service users:
- Bracknell Forest – www.healthwatchbracknellforest.co.uk
- Reading – www.healthwatchreading.org.uk
- Slough – www.healthwatchslough.co.uk
- West Berkshire – www.healthwatchwestberks.org.uk
- Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead – www.healthwatchwam.co.uk
- Wokingham – www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk
The NHS in Berkshire has published a booklet to support young people in times of emotional distress.
The Little Blue Book of Sunshine comes in two versions, one for the east of the county and one for the west, giving details of help available in each area.
Click on the links to download them:
East (Bracknell, Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead)
West (Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire)
Education Information Advice and Support Services
Previously known as Parent Partnerships, these are statutory services offering information, advice and support to parents and carers about special education needs (SEN). They can go into schools to support parents and carers over educational, health and care matters.
- Bracknell Forest – www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/informationadviceandsupportservice
- Reading – www.parentpartnership-reading.org
- Slough – www.parentpartnershipslough.org.uk
- West Berkshire – www.westberksiass.info
- Windsor & Maidenhead – ias-rbwm.co.uk
- Wokingham – directory.wokingham.gov.uk/
Other education websites
- ACE Education – www.ace-ed.org.uk
- Autism Education Trust – www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
- IPSEA the Independent Panel for Special Educational Needs, provides support and training on SEN laws for parents – www.ipsea.org.uk
- Adviza provides a single point of access for all 13 to 19-year-olds to help them prepare for the transition to work and adult life. – www.adviza.org.uk/who-am-i/young-person/
- Do2Learn offers a variety of free resources for people with special needs – www.do2learn.com
- Network 81 offers advice on opportunities and training for children with special educational needs – http://www.network81.org.uk/index.shtml
- Skill, the National Bureau for Students With Disabilities – www.skill.org.uk
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal
– www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-special-educational-needs-and-disability - Studying in the UK as a Disabled Student – Graduate student Caroline Mathiasen, who is hearing impaired, looks at the rights of disabled students, the support available at universities and funding – https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/2018/august/studying-uk-disabled-student
- The Transition Information Network, run by the Council for Disabled Children, provides information about the transition process for disabled young people, parents/carers and professionals – https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/transition-information-network
Further education courses, tailored for individuals with special educational needs, are offered by:
- BCA (Berkshire College of Agriculture) – http://www.bca.ac.uk/the-college/student-services/learning-support/
- Reading College – http://www.reading-college.ac.uk/school-leaver/LLDD
- East Berkshire College – http://www.eastberks.ac.uk/courses/foundation-programmes.html
- Newbury College – https://www.newbury-college.ac.uk/courses/foundation-learning.html
Employment
- Adviza provides a single point of access for all 13 to 19-year-olds to help them prepare for the transition to work and adult life – www.adviza.org.uk/who-am-i/young-person/
- Dimensions offers support into employment for people with learning disabilities and autism – www.dimensions-uk.org
- Graft Thames Valley aims to eradicate barriers to employment for disabled or disadvantaged people struggling to find a job – www.graft.org.uk
- Incluzy is an inclusive disability jobs website, with lots of useful information and guidance for employees and employers – incluzy.com/
- Prospects is the National Autistic Society employment and training service for people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome who wish to work – www.autism.org.uk
- The Shaw Trust provides training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances – www.shaw-trust.org.uk
- A Guide to Workplace Bullying, by Amy Forester, offers advice and information for people who may be experiencing bullying or discrimination at work – www.autoenrolment.co.uk/guides/workplace-bullying
Benefits
- Department for Work & Pensions Benefits information
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits - For Personal Independence Payment enquiries call:
Telephone 0800 121 4433
Textphone 0800 121 4493 - For Disability Living Allowance enquiries call:
Telephone 0800 121 4600
Textphone 0800 121 4523 - For Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit or Employment & Support Allowance, call the DWP:
Telephone 0345 608 8545
Textphone 0345 608 8551 - Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
- Reading Community Welfare Rights Unit – www.readingcommunitywelfarerightsunit.co.uk
- EntitledTo provides free calculators to help you work out your entitlement to benefits and tax credits – www.entitledto.co.uk
- The Community Legal Service provides a search facility to access information and advice on benefits, tax credits and your rights – www.clsdirect.org.uk
- Cerebra: Foundation for the brain injured child provides a useful guide to claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – http://w3.cerebra.org.uk/research/guides-for-parents/dla-guide/
- The National Autistic Society offers a range of information about benefits – www.autism.org.uk/about/benefits-care/benefits.aspx
Other websites
Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld has launched the Victims First website to help victims of crime. It includes information and advice, including signposting to services to help victims of crime to cope and recover from the impact of the crime.
The Stop Loan Sharks project aims to combat unlicensed illegal money lending and to protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
The project has published a guide on how to spot if someone may be being exploited by loan sharks. It is designed to help health and social care professionals but contains information that parents, carers and friends may also find useful. A 24-hour Helpline is also available on 0300 555 2222.
Click here to download the guide.
