FREE Parent Carer Resource
Local Charities Join Forces to Help Families with Neurodivergent Children in Essex, Southend & Thurrock
SEND the Right Message Charity and MyOTAS – My Own Time And Space – supported by Essex County Council and the Essex Integrated Care Board, and in collaboration with Essex Family Forum, have created a valuable, free book for families of neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more.
This resource brings together lived experiences from families, insights from local communities, and expert contributions from professionals across education, health, and social care in Essex. It’s designed to empower, inform, and support parents navigating the often complex SEND journey.
Launched in 2021, this ‘by parents, for parents’ book has already supported over 17,000 families, with copies distributed to homes, schools, libraries, and wellbeing hubs across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.
The guide is designed especially for families with a newly diagnosed child or those navigating the diagnosis journey, offering lived experience, honest reflections, and input from professionals across education, health, and social care.
This Essex-born resource has had national impact — 14 other areas across the UK have adopted and adapted the guide for use in their local communities.
