Social and communication needs including autism

Support while waiting for an autism diagnosis

Awaiting an autism diagnosis can be a challenging period for families. However, there are numerous support groups and resources available to assist during this time. Diagnosis is not needed to access support.

In Bromley we have a dedicated service that parent’s and families can self-refer to receive information and advice. This is called The Social Communication Needs including Autism (SCN) Family Support Service.

Use the SCAN form to make contact.

We also publish a Do you know guide that includes key information.

You can also visit the dedicated pages for social communications needs including autism on the SEND Local Offer website to find out about other avenues of information and support that is available in Bromley and nationally.

Supporting your child at home

You are the expert of your child and are probably already putting in place strategies to support, sometimes without realising it. Here are some key strategies that may help children with social communication differences and autism.

Strategies for supporting a child with social communication differences including autism

Maintain a routine:

  • Create a predictable daily schedule to help your child feel secure.
  • Use visual support, for routines (e.g. toilet sequence visual resource, timetables, now and next, to support a child to understand and process information. Useful resources can be found at on the Riverside School website and are free for professionals or families.

Use clear and simple communication:

  • Speak in short, clear sentences, and give instructions one step at a time.
  • Pair verbal instructions with visual cues when possible.
  • Offer a countdown warning when an activity has to end, e.g. “five minutes left”
  • Allow your child time and the space to process what they have heard before expecting a response.

Encourage sensory regulation:

  • Identify sensory triggers and provide calming activities, such as weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, fiddle toys, or sensory boxes.
  • Designate a quiet space in your home where your child can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.

Support social skills development:

  • Role-play common social situations, such as greeting others or taking turns in a game.
  • Use storybooks or videos to help your child understand emotions and perspectives.

Focus on strengths:

  • Celebrate your child’s unique talents and interests. Activities that play to their strengths can boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Support in the early years (aged 0 to 4)

If your child is in the early years (aged 0 to 4) and you are waiting for an autism assessment, Bromley Council offers support to help you during this time. You can access services like the Early Years Inclusion Team (EYIT) for advice and early intervention, benefit from home visits through the Portage service, and explore funding options. There are also partnerships with voluntary organisations to provide extra support, helping you and your child while you wait for a diagnosis.

Find more details here: Bromley SEND early years services.

Engaging with your child’s school:

All schools must comply with the SEND Code of Practice which states they should have regard to the views of parents and carers and provide support that is needs led and not dependent on a diagnosis.

If you suspect your child may be autistic, working closely with their school is crucial. An autism diagnosis is not required to access support in schools.

Support in schools

Supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Bromley educational settings involves a structured, three-stage approach designed to provide appropriate assistance at every level. This is called the Graduated Approach. Learn more about the Graduated Approach and its three-stages.

Here are steps parents can take, and examples of strategies schools can implement:

How parents can communicate with the school

  • Schedule a meeting: Arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher, Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), or pastoral care team to share your concerns. Bring any supporting information, such as observations from home or advice from professionals.
  • Explain your child’s needs: Provide details about your child’s strengths, challenges, triggers, and behaviours. This will help staff understand how to best support them. Detail what you have to do at home to support your child and what happens when you don’t do it for any reason.
  • Follow-up: Maintain open communication with the school through regular meetings or progress updates.

Strategies schools can implement

Schools can adopt various strategies to help children with any type of special educational need and this is not reliant on either a diagnosis or an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan, often referred to as an EHCP). The SEND code of practice provides statutory duties and guidance for school to follow.

Schools in Bromley have access to a SEN tool kit and support from the Inclusion Support Advisory team (ISAT) and the SEND Advisory Team (SENDAT). Here are some examples of what schools may put in place as reasonable adjustments.

Visual supports: 

  • Use visual timetables, countdown timers, task schedules, or picture cues to provide clear expectations and help reduce anxiety. Useful resources can be found at on the Riverside School website and are free for professionals or families.
  • Offer “now and next” or “first and then” boards to help break down tasks.

Quiet spaces:

  • Provide a sensory-friendly or quiet area where the child can go if they feel overwhelmed.

Structured routines:

  • Maintain consistent routines and share with the child in the form of a visual timetable to prepare the child in advance for the next activities and any changes.

Social skills support:

  • Facilitate social skills sessions to teach social skills and appropriate interactions.

Clear communication:

  • Use simple and direct language.

If further support is required the school can refer to the community paediatrician or the Bromley Healthcare complex communication diagnostic service. You cannot approach this service direct.

Building a collaborative relationship

Parents and schools working together will ensure tailored support is made available to children with SEND. By regularly reviewing progress, adapting strategies, and sharing observations, both parties can create an environment where children feel safe and supported.

Finding out more about autism

Local support groups in Bromley:

  • Bromley Mencap: Offers support for families, young people, and children in Bromley who have social and/or communication needs.
  • Bromley Well: Support with wellbeing and mental health of 18+ and for young carers.
  • Bromley Y: Support with emotional wellbeing and mental health for children, young people and their families.
  • CANDI (Creative And Neuro-Diverse Innovations): Providing opportunities for volunteering, employment, training, socialising, communication, and confidence building for the Bromley area neurodiverse community.
  • CASPA (Children on the Autistic Spectrum Parents' Association): An award-winning charity providing a support and social hub for autistic individuals and their families.
  • Destiny Children & Family Support Group: Provides creative social activities for children with special educational needs or disabilities, and a support group for families with children who have autism, ADHD, speech and language, social, emotional, or other special needs.
  • Oakonsult: Delivers workshops, training, practical sessions and therapeutic approaches to parent carers of children with SEND from the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) community.
  • Rhiannons Café: Staffed by a neurodivergent team, Rhiannon’s Café is a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

 Useful information and self-help guides:

  • Ambitious about Autism: Ambitious about Autism is a UK national charity which aims to improve opportunities for young people on the autism spectrum. They also have a practical parent toolkit containing information to guide parents and carers through their child’s journey in the early years.
  • Autism Central: Autism Central is a programme aimed at helping families and carers to learn more about autism and signpost them to useful resources and learning.
  • Autism Level UP!: Tools and support made by and for autistic and/or neurodivergent people, but also for those supporting neurodivergent individuals.
  • Autistic parents UK: A national autistic-led charity offering essential support services, resources, education and a thriving community for Autistic parents.
  • b-Hive: A collective of therapy advice, support and services for children, teenagers and young adults in Bromley.
  • National Autistic Society: The National Autistic Society provides supports, guidance and advice, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people.
  • Cerebra: Cerebra offer a factsheet to provide information and useful resources to parents who suspect that their child may have autism. It explains how to obtain an autism assessment, highlights the importance of a timely diagnosis and what support you and your child may be entitled to if a diagnosis is made.
  • Resources for Autism: Resources for autism provide practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism and for those who love and care for them.

Remember to take time for yourself to recharge. Supporting a child with additional needs can be demanding, so ensuring your own well-being is essential.