Navigo’s Neurodevelopmental Service have been working hard to reduce waiting times across their pre-assessment and assessment pathways.
Whilst waiting for an assessment, we appreciate it can be difficult to source help with managing a child’s needs.
Navigo’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Young Minds Matter) are launching a new waiting list initiative. The Workshop for Integrated Neurodiversity Group Support, fondly called WINGS, will give parents the skills and knowledge to support their child at home and school.
WINGS will run six face-to-face two-hour sessions where up to 20 parents can learn these skills, better understand neurodivergent needs and build a support network of like-minded parents who understand how it feels.
The aim is to allow parents to start adapting to their children’s unique abilities and difficulties, and to allow them to understand why some of the behaviours are being presented.
An overview of WINGS
Week 1: Understanding and Supporting Your Child’s Needs
- To have a good understanding of neurodiversity and its core features
- Be able to use strategies to support organisation and structure
- To consider the positives of neurodiversity
Week 2: Emotional Regulation
- What is emotional regulation?
- Helping your child to recognise and manage feelings
- Dealing with meltdowns
- Helpful resources to use with your child
Week 3: Managing and Supporting Behaviour
- Understand the influence of communication
- Consider the ‘building blocks’ of behaviour management
- Be able to use strategies to deal with behaviour
- be able to use house rules
- have a list of rewards and consequences
Week 4: Support for You and the Family
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
- Online resources
- Family Hubs
Week 5: Sleep
- What is sleep hygiene?
- The importance of a good night sleep
- How sleep works
- Steps to success
- Time for questions
Week 6: The Assessment Process
- Waiting list times
- Who is involved?
- What to expect in an assessment
- Aftercare
- What happens if my child is not diagnosed?
How can I access the sessions?
The first set of sessions will start in April 2024 and will continue as a rolling programme throughout the year.
The team will be inviting families currently waiting for an assessment based on when they first referred to the service. In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries please contact us.