Diagnosis Support Service

The Diagnosis Support Service offers a weekly opportunity for parent/carers to come and talk to a trained peer supporter (a parent who has already been through the process of diagnosis) who will listen to them and provide information about local support services in the area that they live. All our peer supporters receive training before becoming a peer supporter. The Diagnosis Support Service operates in Reading, Newbury and Wokingham. We also offer families an online support service.

Why they need our service

It can be a very traumatic time when parents get a diagnosis of a learning difficulty or disability for their child or young person. Families receive diagnoses at different stages, for some pre birth, others at birth, and up to young people and adults. There is often little or no emotional support or information about local and national support organisations. This is why Parenting Special Children has set up a weekly Diagnosis Support Service where families can come and talk.

Plan and expected results

Parents who have accessed the Diagnosis Support Service tell us that it was invaluable to talk to someone who understood what they were experiencing and the information that was provided helped them to find local support. Parents felt less isolated by coming to the Diagnosis Support Service and information given gave them the opportunity to access support for their child and for themselves. This was empowering for the family.

Final Results

The Diagnosis Support Service started in February 2011 and we are experiencing a steady flow of parents accessing the course. Feedback is very positive. In February 2012 we will have three locations in Berkshire for the Diagnosis Support Service, Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham. We are busy fundraising for the Diagnosis Support Service, we have supporters running Reading Half Marathon and Woodley 10K. We are continuing to run specialist parenting programmes in Berkshire, a busy year.

Latest activities and projects

Woodley 10k run for Parenting Special Children

We offer families the opportunity to talk in a relaxed setting with refreshments, childcare when needed and at a local location. Families are able to visit the service as many times as they need, giving them the chance to take time to navigate the new journey that they have embarked upon. We provide information to families about local and national organisations who can support the family. read more

READING HALF MARATHON

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Specialist parenting courses and support groups

We offer a range of specialist parenting programmes for families. An eight week programme for al families regardless of the disability that their child may have. We run a four week ASD course and a three week ADHD, follow on courses from the eight week programme. We also run an eight week parenting group for parents who have difficulties with learning. For more indepth information about the courses please see website www.parentingspecialchildren.co.uk read more

Diagnosis Support Service

The Diagnosis Support Service offers a weekly opportunity for parent/carers to come and talk to a trained peer supporter (a parent who has already been through the process of diagnosis) who will listen to them and provide information about local support services in the area that they live. All our peer supporters receive training before becoming a peer supporter. The Diagnosis Support Service operates in Reading, Newbury and Wokingham. We also offer families an online support service. read more