Being the parent/carer of a neurodivergent child can feel daunting – there is a whole new vocabulary to learn alongside adapting your expectations, and it takes enormous energy to do both. With so much to navigate, getting help is a necessity, not an option. Remember – you can only do your best with the information and resources you have.

Noticing differences in your child’s experience of the world can happen at any age. Whenever you first notice that your child’s pressures are different to the typically expected ones, there are people who are there to help.

When you’re not sure who you should be speaking to, calling the Highland Council Just Ask helpline can help you narrow things down. Alternatively, many of the Highland Council and NHS Highland intervention services can be contacted directly; you can find their contact details here. And you can always speak with your child’s Named Person/Lead Professional as a first step.

This graphic shows the Staged Approach as it exists with the Practice Model. The Practice Model aims to understand a child or young person’s experience of the world.

In addition to statutory services provided by the Local Authority, there are many support groups and charities offering advocacy, advice, or just a listening ear when you need it. Thriving Families, for example, will work with you to understand your child’s additional support needs, prioritise next steps, suggest services that might be of help to you, and help you communicate with others.

Our extensive Resources database was created to make finding the support you need as easy as possible for you. Every resource included has been vetted and verified so that you can trust the information you find there.

Do you have concerns or questions that you want to go over with someone? 

Your child’s Named Person (or Lead Professional) is your first point of contact if there is something you want to discuss.

The Named Person is usually:

Ages 0-5 (pre-school): Health Visitor

Ages 5-12 (Primary School): Head Teacher or Principal Teacher

Ages 12-18 (Secondary School): Guidance Teacher or Head Teacher