Skip to content

Talk to someone about your concerns

The Neurodiversity Support Hub Advice Line

The neurodiversity support hub is an advice service offering support, signposting and guidance about a whole range of things relating to ADHD and Autism. The phones are answered by a team of parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people and your child doesn't need a diagnosis for you to use this service

Get in touch

Call us: 01727 833963ADD-Vance logo

Or: email us at supporthub@add-vance.org
9am - 1pm   Monday, Wednesday, Friday 
9am - 3pm   Tuesday, Thursday
7pm - 9pm   Wednesdays (by appointment)
Closed on bank holidays

What kind of things can we help with? 

We can: 

  • Explain more about neurodiversity and what it means
  • Signpost you to the right support
  • Provide strategies you can use to support your child's development or behaviour

We can help with questions you may have about: 

  • ADHD and Autism
  • Anxiety
  • Distressed behaviours
  • School
  • Anger
  • Sleep
  • Resources

We can't help with:

  • Recommending private assessors
  • Updates to EHCPs 
  • Fast-tracking assessment or letting you know where you are on the waiting list  

The Neurodiversity Support Hub is delivered by ADD-vance

Other advice lines

Angels

Angels provide individualised, professional expertise and advice for the families of autistic children and children with ADHD (and those awaiting diagnosis). They offer parent support group meetings, and 1 to 1 support for your family. 

SPACE

SPACE's SEND family support workers are there to help you navigate particularly challenging periods or situations. If you are looking for some advice on supporting your neurodivergent child, sometimes a listening ear is just what you need.

Book a 25 min telephone appointment with their family support team for bespoke advice and guidance 

Book a telephone appointment

Courses, workshops and webinars for parents

Support for children and young people

The Toolbox is a free online service for neurodivergent children and young people.   It is designed to help young people understand their Autism and/or ADHD in a fun and engaging way.  There is a range of support available:

  • The resource zone has information and resources for young people on a variety of topics relating to neurodiversity.
  • In the livestream zone young people can watch the team play favourite video games whilst answering questions about neurodiversity.
  • COGS is a mental wellness app created by and for the neurodivergent community. It is free to sign up for young people living in Hertfordshire. 

Many of our Hertfordshire organisations offer activities, groups and courses for young people to get support and meet other neurodivergent young people.

Support at School

If you feel that your neurodivergent child needs additional support at school (sometimes known as reasonable adjustments), you can find more information on how your child with SEND is supported in school.

Your SENCo can also refer your child to the Speech, Language, Communication and Autism Team.  This is a team of qualified teachers and specialists who provide advice and guidance to support schools in developing their provision for children and young people who have needs relating to speech, language, communication and autism.

The Neurodiversity Handbook and resources

The Neurodiversity Handbook (pdf 6.6MB) has been written by parents for parents to help them better understand their child or young person. You'll find advice and strategies, and information about organisations that can support you. 

The Support on a Page (pdf 195kb) has information on all the different organisations and services that can support your neurodivergent. (for an accessible version of this document, please contact localoffer@hertfordshire.gov.uk)

Organisations that can help

Many of the organisations in Hertfordshire offer support to families of neurodivergent children and young people.  This can be in the form of advice over the phone or online, support groups, and workshops and webinars. 

A dedicated group of professionals who are parents of children affected by ADHD and/ or autism. ADD-vance's mission is to support families and increase understanding of the conditions.

Angels are an experience-led charity that aims to make the world a better place for autistic children and children with ADHD

Autism Hertfordshire offers support to young adults (ages 16+) both pre-and post-diagnosis through a range of interventions including group work, skills training and development and 1:1 support.

The sensory processing service aims to empower and coach parents, carers, families and schools to understand and manage sensory differences of children and young people.

SPACE is a Hertfordshire charity supporting parent/ carers of children and young people on the autistic spectrum, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or a related condition.