We are running the following events face-to-face or online via Zoom. They are free for Berkshire families or at a nominal cost. Some events have a small number of tickets available for non-Berkshire families. Please click on the highlighted event title for further information and to book.

*Please note that due to changes in our funding some events have restrictions by location. Please make sure you book the correct ticket*

Events This Week

Sleep: Autism and ADHD - Berkshire West
For families registered with a Berkshire West NHS GP surgery (Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire local authority areas).
The workshop will cover: Children’s sleep cycles and sleep needs, The reasons behind night settling and night waking, Strategies to feel less stressed when sleep training, Strategies for settling your child to sleep, and staying asleep.
Tuesday 14th May, 7-9pm via Zoom.

Dads and Male Carers Support Group
For birth fathers and male carers (adoptive, foster and kinship families) of children who have experienced trauma and/or have special needs.
Tuesday 14th May, 7.30-9.30pm.
Venue: Emmanuel Church Centre, South Lake Crescent, Woodley RG5 3QW.

Attachment-focused Re-Parenting Course for Birth Parents/Families
This 7 week course is aimed at birth parents/families of children affected by trauma through adverse childhood experiences like domestic violence, family break-up, bereavement, parental mental health issues and/or substance misuse. It has attachment theory underpinning all modules.
The course runs on Wednesday mornings between 10am and 12pm on the following dates: 15th and 22nd May, break for Half Term, 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th June, 3rd July. Via Zoom.

Who’s in Charge? Child/Adolescent to Parent Violence & Abuse - Berkshire
For parents/carers with a child who lives or attends a school in the following local authority areas: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham. The course provides a therapeutic approach for families of children and young people with special needs (aged 8 – 18) who are violent or aggressive.
Wednesday evenings: 7-9pm: 15th and 22nd May, (break for half term), 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th June, 3rd and 10th July. (Follow up session: expected Sep/Oct 2024). Via Zoom.

Attachment-focused Parenting/Caregiving Course: Adopters, Foster Carers and Kinship Carers
The course has attachment theory underpinning all topics. It is set up for families living in Berkshire or parents/carers of Berkshire children. There are limited spaces for non-Berkshire families.
The course runs on Thursday mornings between 10am and 12pm on the following dates: 16th and 23rd May, break for Half Term, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th June, 4th July. Via Zoom.

Community Parent/Carer Support Group: Bracknell
A support group for family members who have children/young people with additional needs living within the community of Bracknell. Children welcome under parent supervision. Refreshments provided. *Please note we are a dairy free setting*.
Thursday 16 May, 12.30-2.30pm.
Venue: Great Hollands Community Centre.

The A Team: Awesome Autism/ADHD (inc Girls Parent/Carer Support Group)
For Autistic and/or ADHD girls (age 8-18) who live, or attend a school, in Berkshire. We have a few tickets for non-Berkshire girls. Parents and carers may stay on site and attend our Autistic/ADHD Girls Parents/Carers Support Group. You can attend the support group without a child attending The A Team. 
Topic: Boardgames and Crafts.
Saturday 18th May, 10am-12pm.
Venue: Lower Earley Baptist Church.

Events Next Week

Lets Get Creative! Kinship Families: Age 5-12 (inc Kinship Carers Group)
A monthly group for children (age 5-12) who live with Kinship/Connected Carers and/or Special Guardians, including an informal carer support group. You can attend the support group without a child attending Let's Get Creative.
Saturday 25th May, 10am-12 noon.
Venue: Lower Earley Baptist Church.

Places Still Available

Social Interaction Group for Children and Young People: School Years 4 to 8
The course is for young people in mainstream education (school years 4-8, though year 9 may be considered) who either already have a diagnosis of Autism and/or ADHD or are on the Berkshire CAMHS waiting list for assessment, and are registered with a Berkshire West NHS GP surgery (Reading, West Berkshire, Wokingham).
Aim: To develop the confidence and emotional well being of young people through meeting regularly with peers and exploring the social world together. The course will focus on issues including knowing ourselves, friendships, self-esteem, independence and self advocacy.
Mondays: 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th June, 1st and 8th July
Venue: Tilehurst Youth and Community Centre.

ADHD Course: Buckinghamshire
For Buckinghamshire parent/carers supporting children and young people with ADHD.
Session 1: Introduction to ADHD: What is ADHD?, Challenges & concerns, Strengths and opportunities, Signposting to support.
Session 2: Anxiety and ADHD: What is anxiety?, What is the relationship between ADHD and anxiety, Coping strategies for children/young people and parents/carers.
Session 3: Managing ADHD Behaviours: Attention Deficit Behaviours, Hyperactive Behaviours, Impulsive Behaviours, Behaviour Management Strategies
Thursday 6th, 13th and 20th June (3 linked sessions), 7-9pm via Zoom.

Sensory Processing Workshop
A single workshop open to all parents/carers. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis in order for you to attend this event.
The workshop will cover: What is Sensory Processing?, Unpicking the science behind Sensory Processing, Sensory overload, sensory seeking behaviour – what does this mean?, Strategies to support child/young person better and manage levels of sensory arousal.
Tuesday 9th July, 7-8.30pm, via Zoom.

ON DEMAND PRESENTATIONS

Sleep Tips for Children and Young People (age 8+)

A 12 minute presentation for children and young people (age 8+). Available to view on demand. £2 per download.

Sleep Tips for Teens

A 40 minute presentation for teenagers who struggle with their sleep. 

Available to view on demand. £4 per download.

PSC are working in partnership with Autism Berkshire to provide Autism and ADHD related support under the 'Berkshire West Autism and ADHD Service'. You can see additional events provided by Autism Berkshire here.

For additional events provided by GEMS, the Berkshire East Autism and ADHD Support Service, please click here.

For help and advice or if you just need to talk:

Helpline and Diagnosis Support Service (Mon – Thur, 10am – 2.30pm)
Tel: 0118 9863532, email: helpline@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk

Trauma and Attachment Service
Tel: 07557 102623, email: tas@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk

Sleep Service
Email: sleep@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk

Community Support Groups
Tel: 07810 689679, email: supportgroups@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk

For any other enquiries please email admin@parentingspecialchildren.co.uk 

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