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Autism & ADHD
Get help, support and information for Autism and ADHD in West Sussex
Find services, advice and support if you or someone you care for has or might be Autistic or ADHD.
For Young People
What is Autism and ADHD?
Autism and ADHD are ways your brain works differently. You might find some things harder or easier than others. Lots of people have these, and it is okay to ask for help.
Everyone is different, and you might need help with more than one thing at the same time. For example, your mental health, learning, or how you feel at school or home. They may all be linked.
Some people are autistic and have ADHD (sometimes called AuDHD). This might be diagnosed, or they might notice traits of both.
Support for you
You might want support if you:
- Find it hard to manage your feelings
- Have trouble with sleep or eating
- Struggle with friendships or social situations
- Feel overwhelmed by noise, lights, touch, or feelings
- Find it difficult to concentrate or organise tasks
- Need a lot of extra help with school or work
- Want to learn more about yourself
If this sounds like you, there is support available.
What to do in a crisis or urgent situation
If you feel unsafe or in crisis
Are you a young person feeling low, anxious, or unable to cope? Are you thinking about hurting yourself or someone else? You are not alone. Help is available right now.
If you have a safety plan, follow it.
Get help straight away
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
Talk to someone today or tonight
You can speak to someone now or within a few hours. All these services are free, confidential and open 24 hours a day:
- Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 for support. You’ll chat via text message with a mental health professional who can help. Messages won’t show on your phone bill.
- Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option to speak to a trained mental health professional. They will ask you questions and offer help, or guide you to the right service.
- Call Samaritans on 116 123. You can talk confidentially about anything that’s on your mind. This service listens and offers support but does not give advice.
Support and groups for young people
- For autistic children and young people, or those with disabilities or complex needs (aged 8–25, or 18–25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan): Aspens offer support in West Sussex
- Ambitious about Autism provides online peer support and a youth network for autistic young people aged 16–25.
Trusted information - find out more
About ADHD
- Children’s guide to ADHD.
- Teenagers’ guide to ADHD.
- For help with emotional wellbeing, mental health, and ADHD: Young Minds offer a helpline, resources, training, outreach, and publications.
- Information, resources and top tips for young people from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT).
- To learn words to describe your experiences and share with others: Neurodivergent Glossary.
- ADHD Resource Guide by Healthline.
- Useful information and helpful activities for teenagers living with ADHD from Janssen UK
About Autism
- National Autistic Society resources for autistic teenagers
- For help with emotional wellbeing, mental health, and Autism: Young Minds offer a helpline, resources, training, outreach, and publications.
- The Curly Hair Project supports autistic people and those around them. It was founded by autistic author Alis Rowe. They use animated films, stories, comic strips and diagrams to make their work interesting and easy to understand.
- To learn words to describe your experiences and share with others - Neurodivergent Glossary
For Parent Carers
Understanding your child’s needs
If your child may be, or has been diagnosed as, autistic or ADHD you might have lots of questions. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. You and your child may also need support with more than one issue, or with needs that overlap and affect each other.
Some people are autistic and have ADHD (sometimes called AuDHD) - this might be diagnosed, or they might notice traits of both.
What to do in a crisis or urgent situation
Is your child struggling to cope? Does it feel like a crisis? You are not alone. Help is available.
If your child already has a safety plan, please refer to that.
Get help straight away
- If your life, or someone else’s life, is in immediate danger - call 999 or go to A&E.
Speak to someone today or tonight
If you need support for yourself or your child, you can talk confidentially to someone now or within a few hours. All these services are free and open 24 hours a day:
- Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 for support. You or your child can text this number to chat with a mental health professional. Messages won’t show on your phone bill.
- Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Speak to a trained mental health professional who will ask questions and offer help or guide you to the right service.
- Call Samaritans on 116 123. Talk confidentially about anything that’s on your mind. This service listens and offers support but does not give advice.
Understanding diagnosis and assessments
Referral, diagnosis, and assessment information:
- For ADHD
- For 6+ years old - Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- For Autism
- For under 11 years old in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, or under 9 years old in Chichester: Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust child development clinic
- For 11+ years old: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- For under 11 years old in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove: University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust child development clinic
The NHS Right to Choose Framework lets you select your NHS-funded healthcare provider, following a referral from a GP or professional.
Who can you speak to?
If you think your child may be Autistic or ADHD, speak to:
- Your GP
- A health visitor (for children under 5)
- Any other health professional you or your child see, such as another doctor or therapist
- Your child's SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) at school
Support before and after the assessment
The West Sussex Local Offer provides information about all the local services for families, children and young people.
Get local help and support
- For guidance, training, and chances to connect with other parent carers, Reaching Families supports people in West Sussex.
- West Sussex Parent Carer Forum provide information, support and training for parent carers
- For parent carers of children and young people waiting for, undergoing, or after assessment, for autism, ADHD, and related conditions - the Reaching Families ND Navigation Service offers telephone support, information, resources, and workshops.
Managing behaviour, sleep, and health concerns
- Children’s Speech and Language Therapy helps with speech, language, communication, and swallowing.
- West Sussex and Brighton and Hove: Sussex Community Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service.
- West Sussex and Brighton and Hove: University Hospitals Sussex Children's Speech and Language Services.
- Sleep support services can help if your child has trouble sleeping.
- The Health and Care Passport is a quick way to give health and social care staff important info about your child’s needs.
Your child’s sensory needs and environment
Education and school support
Every school has a SENCo to help with special educational needs.
- For help with school-related issues, contact West Sussex SENDIAS
- Autism support in schools: Autism and Social Communication Team
- ADHD support in schools: The Learning and Behaviour Advisory Team
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
An EHCP provides extra support for children with higher needs. You can apply if your child needs more help than the usual services provide.
- Getting an EHCP in West Sussex
- Advice on EHCPs from West Sussex SENDIAS
- Reaching Families has a factsheet for West Sussex parent carers on EHCPs
Emotional and mental health support
If your child finds school hard because of anxiety or emotional reasons, support is available:
Parent groups and peer support
Parent groups and peer support can connect you with others who understand what you're going through. They help you share ideas, feel heard and find support.
- Peer support for parents and carers, caring for someone with an Autistic mind, with or without a diagnosis across all of Sussex, with Autism Support Crawley
- Parent groups and peer support in West Sussex, including relaxed, non-judgemental spaces to share advice and experiences, with Reaching Families.
- Parenting peer support, with online and face-to-face meetings to help you build strategies and meet others, with West Sussex MIND.
- Link with other parents of autistic children and young people, with Mascot.
Trusted information and learning or training for parent carers
- Online training and awareness for parents and carers covering a range of differences that young people may be experiencing, including Autism and ADHD.
Autism specific websites
- National Autistic Society
- Child Autism UK
- Autistic Girls Network
- Ambitious About Autism
- Aspens
- Autistic Parents UK
ADHD specific websites
National Support
National Autistic Society
Founded in 1962, they are the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Their goal is to help transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people.
Autism Independent UK
Autism Independent UK helps to increase awareness of autism to the notice of all, together with well established and newly developed approaches in the diagnosis, assessment, education and treatment.
Dimensions
They support people with learning disabilities and autism to have a louder voice, choice and control in their lives.
ASD Helping Hands
ASD Helping Hands will support all service users affected by an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) regardless of age or what stage of life they are at. We aim to offer guidance, practical advice and support whether you are personally affected or you are an associated family member, carer, friend or professional. We will actively champion the rights of all people affected by an ASD and aim to make a positive difference to their lives while delivering a service that is accessible, reliable and trust