Useful information
The Dorset Healthcare YouTube channel has some useful short videos:
Early strategies for autism - YouTube
Attention and Listening - YouTube
Understanding Language - YouTube
Making Choices using Objects - YouTube
Object of Reference 2 - YouTube
Children and young people on the autistic spectrum Advice and support pack
The Poole Child Development Centre Facebook page also shares useful information: Children's Therapy Services - Poole Hospital Child Development Centre | Poole | Facebook
Many more resources and information to support speech and language development can be accessed via The Balanced System. Visit The Balanced System® speech, language and communication pathway and select “Dorset”.
Mencap is an organisation that aims to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. There are many useful and free resources available on their website: Learning Disability - Down's Syndrome - Williams syndrome | Mencap
The National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk) is an organisation that aims to support autistic people and their families.
Cerebra - Working with you and your amazing child Useful website offering advice on a variety of areas including sleep, behaviour and toileting
Home - ERIC The Children’s bowel and bladder charity, lots of useful advice regarding toileting
Children's therapy patient information leaflets from Univeristy Hospitals Dorset
Parent and carer support
As a team we understand the immense pressure parents and carers for people with intellectual disabilities can face. Please see below for links to useful agencies:
Dorset Parent Carer Council is a voluntary organisation run by parents and carers of children and young people (0-25) with SEND who live in Dorset.
Diverse Abilities is a local charity that aims to provide support for children with disabilities and their families in Dorset. Support includes Coping with Chaos (youth group for people with disabilities) and STARs (sibling support).
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offer information, advice and support for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This service is also offered directly to young people.
Money Helper is a free organisation that provides information to people regarding their financial queries and concerns, including disability support.
Sensory strategies teenager information pack: information and tips for teenagers and parents on dealing with sensory processing difficulties
Contact: a charity that supports families with disabled children
If you have been asked by your clinician to complete monitoring forms, these can be accessed below. If you require these in a different language, please use the translation tool at the top of the webpage or speak to your care co-ordinator.