From parents to parents
All of these resources have been recommended by parent/carers for parent/carers
This information does not represent a recommendation or an endorsement of a Service/provider and neither does Bedford Borough Council or its partners make any representations as to the accuracy of the information.
ADHDwise UK
Offers information, support and resources on ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions.
https://www.adhdwise.uk/
Adult Reading List and School/ Professional Reading List:
Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in – a guide for schools by Fran Morgan
Never Give UP by Suzanne Alderson
The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills by Sonny Jane Wise
The Explosive Child: A New Approach for understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross Greene
Lost at School: Why our Kids with Behavioural Challenges are Falling through the Cracks and How we Can Help them by Ross Greene
Declarative Language Handbook by Linda K Murphy
Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children by Dr Luke Beardon
What Works for Autistic Children by Dr Luke Beardon
The Educators Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance and Learning by Laura Kerby
The Teacher’s Introduction to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom by Clare Truman
Parenting Rewired: How To Raise a Happy Autistic Child in a Very Neurotypical World by Danielle Punter
Safeguarding Autistic Girls: Strategies for Professionals by Carly Jones
Supporting Spectacular Girls: A Practical Guide to Developing Autistic Girls’ Wellbeiing and Self Esteem by Helen Clarke
The Family Experience of PDA: An Illustrated Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance by Eliza Fricker
Can’t Not Won’t. A Story About a Child who Couldn’t go to School by Eliza Fricker
Your Child is Not Broken by Heidi Mavir
Taking the Mask Off. Practical Exercises to Help Understand and Minimise the Effects of Autistic Camouflaging by Dr Hannah Louise Belcher
Different Not Less A Neurodivergent’s Guide to Embracing your true self and finding your happy ever after by Chloe Haydn
Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person: A Parent’s Handbook to Supporting Newly Diagnosed Teens and Pre-Teens by Cathy Wassell
Being Julia, A Personal Account of Living with Pathological Demand Avoidance by Ruth Fidler and Julia Daunt
Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World by Laura James
Autism girls network
A registered charity with a wealth of information and resources, not just on Autism. Their resources section have booklists for Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Mental Health, Parenting, PDA and OCD. They also have links to other websites. They have a private Fb group too.
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/
Beat - UK’s eating disorder charity
We are the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/about-beat/
Bemoreuncommon
online sessions aimed at ADHD / autistic children in school years 7-9 who experience school phobia / attendance difficulties. 3 sessions delivered online by a ND team, focusing on anxiety/ confidence and relationships.
www.bemoreuncommon.com
Bedford Borough Bookable Educational Psychologists consultatiion for the academtic year 2023/24
The Educational Psychology Team work with schools and families, to improve children and young people’s learning experience, when there are concerns around their learning, behaviour or emotional well-being. We are a Buy Back service working with schools, parents and children/young people.To check if your child school is accessing the service please email school.support@bedford.gov.uk
Bookable Educational Psychologists consultation service sessions for the academtic year 2023/24
Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum
A Parent Carer Forum is a group of parents and carers of children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) who work with local authorities, education settings, health providers and other providers to make sure that the services they commission, plan and deliver meet the needs of disabled children and families.
The Forum has built strong working relationships and have a trusted role as parent carers of children and young people with SEND aged 0-25 in Bedford Borough.
We are experts by experience and as such, have a unique understanding of how challenging life can be raising a child or young person with SEND.
We do this by giving parent carers the opportunity to participate in a number of ways such as conferences, social media, surveys and focus groups. This feedback can then be used to co-produce and work at a strategic level with the Local Authorities and the ICB.
We also offer a range of training both face to face and online to empower our members.
https://www.bbpcf.co.uk/
Bedford Borough Local Offer training pages
Children and Young People Fiction and Non Fiction Books: (also suitable for adults)
The Spectrum Girls Survival Guide. How To Grow Up Awesome and Autistic by Siena Castellon
The Awesome Autistic Go To Guide by Yenn Purkis
The Secret Life of Rose: Inside an Autistic Head by Rose Smitten
Can You See Me? By Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
Ways to be Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
Do You Know Me? By Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
All the Pieces of Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll ( also recently made into a tv series)
Under Dogs: Tooth and Nail by Chris Bonnello
Under Dogs: Acceleration by Chris Bonnello
ERIC The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity
ERIC is the national charity dedicated to improving children’s bowel and bladder health. Our mission is to reduce the impact of continence problems on children and their families.
https://eric.org.uk/
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA)
Really useful courses for parents. Phone appointments available for advice – but they book up really quickly
https://www.ipsea.org.uk/
Mindjam
Mentoring / emotional support for children and adolescents (online) through gaming and game design.
www.mindjam.org.uk
Newbold Hope – Distressed Behaviour Information and Support
Not Fine in School: Family Support for School Attendance Difficulties
“Featured “ section has a brilliant Padlet with loads of useful information for parents NFIS: What I Wish I Knew Padlet.com
Files and units also have brilliant resources for parents to use.
Also the website www.notfineinschool.co.uk (Support section has lots of useful info)
https://notfineinschool.co.uk/
Pandas Online
A page promoting acceptance of neurodivergence. Offers Neurobears course for home use – 12 videos with accompanying workbooks, aimed at 8-14 year olds who are new to understanding autism.
www.pandasonline.org
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS)
Bedford Borough Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) provide a free, impartial and confidential service to parents and carers of children who have special educational needs and or a disability (SEND). We also offer support to young people with SEN or a disability to help them access the best possible education. Bedford SENDIASS Service aims to encourage partnership between parents, carers and young people with those responsible for their education and training.
Click here to visit their pages