Type of service: Family support and information services

Website: http://www.clearlyspeaking.org.uk

Clearly Speaking is an approachable, professional, caring support service for families and front-line professionals who live in England, we operate right across the United Kingdom (UK), we offer help and specialist support for free, with services and intervention for those families living with special needs, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), Asperger syndrome and all other associated difficulties like Deficits in Attention and Motor Perception (DAMP), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), global development disorder as well as Tourette's syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Fibromyalgia just to name a few. We can assess young people and adults who appear to have fallen through the net and who may be really struggling with key aspects of becoming independent adults due to their difficulties with social communication, self-esteem, and confidence issues. We run many activity groups throughout the year, including weekends and after school clubs. Our current activity groups to name a few include: Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, a gardening club (March to October), a girls support group (8 to 18 years), a coping with relationships course (young people aged 12 to 25 years), counselling services, youth clubs, volunteering opportunities, holiday activities and a special needs/disability Young People's Forum, board game cafe, Knit and Chat for parents and carers, adult social groups for those over 18+ years on the autism spectrum. These facilities and services can be applied for via our website. We work with children and young people who struggle with a range of difficulties to manage issues such as: self-harm, low self-esteem, eating disorders, difficulties remaining on any task, even when self-imposed, difficulties feeling positive or accepted, associated challenging behaviours, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, and sensory integration difficulties. We run individual support sessions and small group meetings to provide Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based intervention adapted to suit the needs of individuals who are attending, with fantastic success. We also offer support to attend review and planning meetings with schools, colleges, nurseries, social care, or health services. We can meet to help you to prepare for meetings, know your child's entitlements, or, if we are available and you feel that an independent supporter would be helpful, we will come with you. We will prepare tribunal cases and translate official reports with you and if appropriate we will take the lead in making an application for Higher Tier Funding, Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) Appeals, the current Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and Heath, Education, and Social Care Plans. We provide nurseries and schools with specialist advice and support regarding children and young people who have hidden special needs and disability, particularly those on the autistic spectrum, have ADHD, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia and associated mental health difficulties. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people will always remain our priority and we will do all we can to ensure that they are provided with an equality of opportunity to achieve their true potential. Venue notes: situated between Buckingham Secondary School and Swan Pool Leisure Centre. Buses to and from Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Oxford, and Bicester stop directly opposite the centre. We have disabled access for wheelchair users as well as disabled toilet access. We also have sensory rooms and access to a sports hall and gaming room. When it is on: opening times vary per bookings, organised sessions and clubs. Opening times advertised on our website under timetable. Cost description: we charge a small amount per activity group to pay for art and craft materials or tuck shop. We encourage everyone who uses diagnosis or tribunal services to donate towards costs of paper, ink, Janet's time, travel costs or volunteer if you are financially struggling. We will not ever directly ask for money towards any services except for our activity groups where discounts are available to those on benefit, retired or have more than one child attending. Age ranges: junior activities from birth to 12 years; senior activities from 13 to 16 years; and adult groups from 16 years and over. Needs we can cater for: ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, anorexia, Down's syndrome, hydrocephalus, dyspraxia, hearing impairment, visual impairment, stammering, language disorder, speech delay, speech disorder, elective mutism, physical disabilities, adult, child, complex needs, disability, domestic violence, independence, mental health, learning difficulty, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional difficulties, social communication difficulties, anxiety, depression and communication difficulties. Support and services: money, benefits, education & psychology, speech therapy, special educational needs (SEN), addiction, counselling, SEN support, carers, sensory, legal, child protection, family support, respite, physical, parenting, childcare, play schemes, social, emotional, social, budgeting, speech and language, Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment, EHC Plan, Helpline, SEN core services and child abuse. Referral details: You can be referred by local services and your general practitioner (GP) if you prefer. We encourage everyone however to self-refer by either completing our online form located on our website or emailing us direct with your enquiry..

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Child , Young person

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Has autism-specific elements