These are organisations and apps that may be able to provide you with some useful information and activities.

We curate the list from information that families have given us – so if you have another resource that you’d recommend, you’ll find links at the end of each section for how to let us know.

Even though many young people share a diagnosis, we know that this doesn’t mean that their presentation or needs are the same. We hope that these resources may offer help or information without you having to spend time you don’t have searching.

Part 1 – Websites

Valuing Minds takes no responsibility for the content on these websites.  Even though we have featured them on this list, it doesn’t mean that we endorse the organisations listed, but we know that families have found them helpful in the past.

SENDIASS – is an impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service. These services are provided on a County by County basis so use a search engine to search SENDIASS and your county name for the relevant website.

Association of Educational Psychologists – the website of the professional association of educational psychologists: www.aep.org.uk

British Psychological Society – with information about what psychology is, what psychologists do and a section (under Public) on Children and Family research and articles: www.bps.org.uk

ChildLine – a free 24-hour counselling service, information and advice site for children and young people up to their 19th birthday: https://childline.org.uk

EHCP journeys – a website that pulls together parents’ views of their journey through the Education, Health and Care Plan journey and gives vauable information about the process involved: http://ehcpjourneys.com

Special Needs Jungle – provides parent-centred information, news, special needs resources and informed opinion about Special education needs and disability: www.specialneedsjungle.com

British Dyslexia Association – UK national organization, offering a wide range of information for parents, dyslexic adults and teachers, with details of the international conferences it organizes: www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

Supersummary have a resource guide for teachers, students and parents on ‘overcoming dyslexia’: www.supersummary.com/dyslexia-guide/

The Dyscalculia Information Centre – resources and information for pupils, teachers and parents about dyscalculia: www.dyscalculia.me.uk

The Dyspraxia Foundation – resources, information and research for about dyspraxia: http://dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk/

The National Autistic Society – a British charity for people with autistic spectrum disorders, including autism and Asperger syndrome. The purpose of the organisation is to improve the lives of people with autism in the United Kingdom: www.autism.org.uk

Autism Society – an American organisation working to increase public awareness about the day-to-day issues about people across the spectrum, advocate for appropriate services for individuals of every age, and provide the latest information regarding treatment, education, research, and advocacy: www.autism-society.org

ADHD Together – a resource to help parents, carers and teachers work together to support school age children with ADHD thrive at home and school: www.adhdtogether.com

ADHD Foundation – works in partnership with individuals, families, doctors, teachers and other agencies to improving emotional well being, educational attainment, behaviour and life chances through better understanding and self management of ADHD and related learning difficulties: www.adhdfoundation.org.uk

IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) – information, advice, helpline and downloadable resources to help families get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and/or disability (SEND): www.ipsea.org.uk

Cerebral Palsy Guidance: an American site providing guidance and assistance for parents of a child with cerebral palsy: www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com

Government information about children with special educational needs and disabilities and an overview of the current Code of Practice: https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/overview

MindEd for families – built by parents and the MindEd Consortium of professionals, funded by the Department of Education, in partnership with Health Education England and accredited by the NHS Information Standard, this site contains parenting tips and suggestions including about some mental health issues in childhood and adolescence. https://www.minded.org.uk/families/index.html#/

Get self help – has resources, including worksheets and mp3 files, for different types of situations including anxiety, stress, eating disorders, dealing with suicidal thoughts and writing a safety plan. https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk//index.html

Kooth.com is commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities, charities and businesses to provide anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People: Kooth for Children & Young People – Kooth plc.

DEAL (developed by The Samaritans) – a free resource for teacher/educational professionals designed to help develop resilience in young people. https://www.samaritans.org/your-community/samaritans-education/deal-developing-emotional-awareness-and-listening

Sensory Processing Issues – a charity supporting families with young people with sensory needs https://www.sensory-people.co.uk/

Childhood Bereavement Network – describes itself as the hub for those supporting bereaved children featuring suggestions, advice, resources and research: childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk

Anxiety UK – Supporting those who experience an anxiety disorder with a range of services and resources, online peer support groups and therapist-led anxiety management courses: www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Child Bereavement UK – Support for young people, up to the age of 25, who have experienced a bereavement. This site also includes Android and Apple apps that help you cope with bereavement: Child Bereavement UK

There are many similar organisations and we have only listed a few. If you have come across a website that you found very useful and informative, please let us know by sending us an email and we will add it to the list.

Part 2 – Apps

Headspace – a mindfulness and meditation app: https://www.headspace.com/

Insight timer – another meditation app with over 3 million meditations: https://insighttimer.com/

Calm app – Meditation techniques for sleep and stress reduction: https://www.calm.com/

Stem4calmharm – an app for helping children and young people deal with the urge to self-harm: http://www.stem4.org.uk/calmharm/

distrACT app – provides easy, quick and discreet access to general health information and advice about self-harm. It was created by practising medical doctors together with young adults and experts in self-harm and suicide prevention: ‎distrACT on the App Store (apple.com) or distrACT – Apps on Google Play

Harmony Decision Maker – an app for taking one through a 5 step process to help resolve important problems or conflicts that can “hang over us like dark clouds” https://appadvice.com/app/harmony-decision-maker/1194396926.amp

Chains – a habit tracker app for organisation and implementing new habits: https://chains.cc/

Cozi family organiser – an app that collates everyone’s appointments and activities plus shopping lists and chores: Cozi.com

GoHenry – a way of giving pocket money to your children and encouraging them to manage it effectively, budget, save etc.: https://www.gohenry.co.uk/

SNappD is a simple-to-use sleep and nap diary app that allows sleep statistics, and the impact of poor sleep, to be recorded. Records demonstrating sleep behaviours can also be forwarded to a medical professional: ‎SNappD on the App Store (apple.com) or SNappD – Apps on Google Play.

Every Mind Matters: The NHS campaign promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across all different communities, Every Mind Matters includes a personalised mind plan based on your responses to a quick 5-minute survey. You’ll then be sent a variety of information and resources and regular reminders to help you look after your mental wellbeing : Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

MindSet is a free, interactive online resource to help young people (16-30yrs) manage their feelings of anxiety and distress and when feeling overwhelmed. It’s hosted by young mental health advocates and experienced therapists, sharing concrete skills and tools that can be used immediately:  www.bodyandsoulcharity.org/mindset.

WellMind is a free app from the NHS that provides advice and tips on how to improve mental health and wellbeing. The app allows you to monitor moods, get crisis help and use relaxation audio tracks: ‎WellMind on the App Store (apple.com) or WellMind – Apps on Google Play

This is a new section and, as you can see, we haven’t listed many apps yet. If you have come across an app that you or your children/pupils have found very helpful, please let us know by sending us an email and we will add it to the list. As with the websites, Valuing Minds takes no responsibility for the content of these apps.  Even though we have featured them on this list, it doesn’t mean that we endorse the organisations listed, but we know that families have found them helpful in the past.