What to do while waiting for a diagnosis

Up-to-date information about what is going on in the Bedford Borough area. Find out more about how to access services. Learn about about childcare settings, childminders and early help support for all families.

The Early Help Team provides support to help families cope with difficulties and to prevent bigger problems emerging. These include sources of support, workshops, childcare, children's centres and children's activities. This help is assessed via an early help assessment.

The educational psychology team work with schools and families. They want to improve children and young people’s learning experience when there are concerns around their learning, behaviour or emotional well-being.

Bedford Borough Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service provide a free, impartial and confidential service to parents and carers for children who have special educational needs and or a disability.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.

A parent-to-parent support group for parents of autistic and ADHD children and young people. Offering advice and support for parent/carers, as well as signposting to other relevant services.

Up-to-date information about what is going on in the Central Bedfordshire area. Find out more about how to access services. Learn about about childcare settings, childminders and early help support for all families.

The Early Help Team provides support to help families cope with difficulties and to prevent bigger problems emerging. These include sources of support, workshops, childcare, children's centres and children's activities. This help is assessed via an early help assessment.

Central Bedfordshire Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is a statutory service, provided by but working at arm’s length from the Local Authority which offers a free, confidential support service for young people with SEND and their parents and carers.

The Parent Mentor service is funded by Central Bedfordshire Council for families with children with special educational needs (SEND). The charity’s volunteer parent mentors offer one-to-one support for a period of time (usually six weeks) to other parents with children with additional needs.          

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.

Find information about local services, support and events for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). A child or young person has SEN if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them.

Luton Family Information Service (FIS) provides information, advice and guidance on a variety of services, helplines and websites that are useful to parents, carers, children and young people under the age of 20, and professionals who work with them.

The Luton Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) was previously known as the Luton Parent Partnership. The information, advice and support provided is to help enable children, young people and their parents or carers to participate in decisions regarding their education needs, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provides outpatient assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 experiencing moderate to severe mental health problems. The service works to provide them with a greater knowledge of their condition and improve coping techniques.

An organisation set up by adults diagnosed with ADHD, who champion the possibilities, and ‘promote positive outcomes’ for ADHD people.

A national UK charity offering a variety of different services. This includes education and employment support and advice, training for parent carers and professionals. They also raise awareness and campaign for change for autistic children and young people.

Independent charity dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people and their families across Bedfordshire and Luton. Offering information, guidance, support and training for children and adults with autism, as well as their parent and carers.

Autism Central is a peer education programme commissioned by NHS England. It aims to build knowledge and understanding of autism and empower families and carers to advocate for autistic people they support. Local support helps families to get the right understanding and adjustments in place across the services they use.

Carers in Bedfordshire is a charity providing support for carers of family members and friends throughout Bedfordshire. They have offices in Bedford, Biggleswade and Leighton Buzzard.

CHUMS are a local Bedfordshire and Luton charity. They provide mental health and emotional wellbeing services for children and young people. Parent and carers can self-refer through the website.

A free advice and information helpline for parents and carers with a disabled child aged from 0 to 25 years old, living in any part of the UK

A free confidential service providing advice, support and information for neurodiverse adults, young people and their families.

The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity is dedicated to give every child and teenager with a bowel or bladder condition in the UK the support they deserve to enjoy a life free from shame, isolation and fear. They offer a range of information and support for parent carers via online resources, workshops and their free helpline.

Free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The UK’s leading charity for people with autism spectrum and their families. Providing support, guidance and advice. They also campaign for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.

A voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting and educating families, adults and professionals living with or working with ADHD, ASD and associated conditions.