Autism and Asperger's
Spreading awareness of autism. Frequent conferences and talks
The largest provider of specialist residential education and care for young people with Autism and Aspergers Syndrome in UK.
A useful website which can give you information about particular issues facing parents of children and young people with autism such as getting a diagnosis to dealing with puberty.
MY WORLD offers bespoke day opportunities for people aged 16 and above on the autistic spectrum.
The National Autistic Society give useful advice to parents of autistic children, including an online directory which will pull together information according to your child’s age diagnosis and where they live.
An Oxfordshire support group for parents of children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome hold monthly support meetings often with interesting speakers.
Thomley Hall Activity Centre – a specialist activity centre for children and young people with disabilities and their families, particularly those on the Autistic Spectrum. This safe resource has a program of activities both in and outdoors. See the website for details.
Banbury based group of parents of children with Aspergers Syndrome. New website and Facebook page. Regular meetings and social events.
Autism Family Support Oxfordshire support the development and wellbeing of children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and their families
Social
Social and recreational activities for young people with SEN in the Oxford area
Depression and mental health
Mental Health Foundation has on-line information about anxiety, depression, ADHD etc.
A national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children, advice about depression, eating disorders, and other mental health issues affecting children, see website for details.
Hearing
The National Deaf Children’s Society have an informative website including information about a new software reader for spoken text on the web.
Give advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.
Support for parents
Oxfordshire Family Support Network – supporting and mentoring parents of people with learning disabilities.
A national charity aiming to empower parents and carers of children and young people with SEN and disabilities to access the help they are entitled to, particularly in the education system.
Sport
Running on a Monday evening for children and young people with a disability at King Alfred’s School Wantage for details contact
Football for Visually Impaired Children – Summertown Stars VIPs, usually play Futsal an indoor 5 aside form of football especially designed for VI players.
Developing sports activities for children and young people with Cerebral Palsy.
Organises sporting activities for children and young people with disabilities including preparing for the Special Olympics.
Provide training and the opportunity to compete locally and nationally in a variety of sporting activities for children and young people with a learning disability. Organising new activities where specialist sports activities do not exist.
Integrated support and leisure centre. Recreational and leisure activities accessible to all. Members entitled to use facilities at a small cost. Gym, Sensory room, Trampolining Contact 01865 741336 or [email protected]
Bullying
Gives useful information and advice about how to deal with bullying and the impact that bullying can have.
Offers on line advice and support to try to prevent or deal with bullying including information for children.
CaF have produced a guide for dealing with bullying.
Dyslexia
A useful website with information about dyslexia, assessment and identification, exam concessions etc.
For diagnosis service contact call 01865 282260. For an assessment or for help and support, phone the clinic helpline on 01189 585950.
Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association – information about meetings and lectures, identification and assessment of dyslexia including access to an on-line assessment tool.
Legal advice and representation for children and young people
Provides legal advice, information and representation for children and young people.
Free legal advice on education law matters paid for by legal aid. SEN, discrimination and judicial review (e.g. for children not receiving education/unlawful exclusions etc.) For anyone financially eligible to legal aid
Information and support
Are an excellent organisation providing information and support to parents of children with many different sorts of disability, including parent-parent support. They also provide comprehensive well written booklets written in a clear concise manner for parents, teachers and young people
Information, Advice and Support Services – IAS Services have a duty to provide information, advice and support to disabled children and young people, and those with SEN, and their parents. They are statutory services and are free, impartial and confidential.
A national charity offering information support and advice about parenting,including challenging behaviour , emotional wellbeing ,teenagers etc, details about specialist advice, parenting groups in your area.
Sight
There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems and RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is the leading charity offering practical support, advice and information to anyone with a sight problem. Their pioneering work helps not just with braille, Talking Books and computer training, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges.
Give advice and assistance to deaf blind individuals or their family members and supporters.
Divorce
Information and advice for separated parents and support for children affected by family separation. All sessions are free. To arrange an informal meeting with a trained volunteer email [email protected]
Singing
Singing Hands have produced a video with 25 songs for children who are learning signing before their speech has developed or have hearing or communication difficulties.
Transition information
Oxfordshire Family Support Network – support through transition in Oxfordshire.
National Association of Specialist Colleges provides information and training to meet the inclusive learning needs of students with learning difficulties/disabilities.
Transition Information Network – supports young people with Learning Difficulties &/or Disabilities to make a positive transition to adult life .It provides quality information on key issues such as further and higher education ,direct payments, social life and independence.
Speaking difficulties
Augmentative and Alternative Communication – find out more about the excellent and very specialised service provided to children and young people who have difficulty speaking, because of physical problems, from the base at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Hospital in Oxford
Financial Help
Offers grants to enhance the quality of life of people in need, for example grants for equipment or adaptations where the local authority cannot help.
Sleep problems
Help to support parents/carers with children who have sleep issues. They also have a stress helpline.
Down's syndrome
Down’s Syndrome Association – The aim of the DSA is to help people with Down’s syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.
Dyspraxia
Ooffers information and supports individuals and families affected by developmental dyspraxia through books, suggestions, a teen newsletter, and an adult support group.
Education, skills and learning support
A UK based membership organisation which provides support and information for families who choose to educate their children at home.
Independent Parental Special Education Advice, a charity which offers legal advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) access the right education.
Memory boosters for children aged 4-11, especially those with special educational needs
National Association of Specialist Colleges provides information and training to meet the inclusive learning needs of students with learning difficulties/disabilities.
My life my choice – helping people speak up and develop their skills
Growing up
Has books specifically for parents of children with disabilities, including workbooks about growing up.
Bipolar disorder
Oxfordshire Family Information Service
Oxfordshire Family Information Service (OxonFIS) provide information and support for children, young people and families in Oxfordshire on childcare, play and leisure, family and parenting support and the schools admission process
ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Oxfordshire ME Group for Action (Omega). OMEGA is the support group for people with ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and their carers. Members can benefit from contact with other people who recognise and understand the illness. Members give each other friendship and support, exchange information about treatments and learn from each other about the management of this long-term illness.
Music
Soundabout has information about special music making workshops for children, young people and adults with disabilities.
Speech and Language Services – Talking Point provides a guide to speech and language services and useful links to other associated websites.
Policy
Young Peoples Inclusion Network – YP -in provides online guidance about both strategy and putting Inclusion into Practice covering issues such as Leisure and Sports Services , Youth Provision, Transport and Independent Living.
Head injuries
Supporting head injured pupils in school – SHIPS supports pupils who have sustained a head injury, by observing the subtle differences in their way of learning due to the injury they have sustained, and advising teachers on appropriate ways of managing their learning.
