As a third sector organisation, SensationALL was foundedto make a real difference to hundreds of families and individuals across the northeast living with neurodivergent conditions or additional needs who need practical support and access to social opportunities that are suited to their sensory and behavioural needs. However, this year more than ever we are struggling to keep up with the mounting costs of continuing services in light of the challenging funding climate.
Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, we are facing both a rise in operational costs and a fall in funding. This is at a time when lengthy waits for NHS assessments are resulting in increasing numbers of families being referred to us for pre-diagnostic support, adding to the strain on our services.
In the last year, we delivered over 600 sessions which provided more than 520 different people with specially designed social groups and activities to suit their sensory and behavioural needs. However, demand is increasing faster than funding, and we urgently need to generate more income to expand the existing timetable.
Currently, we have over 1400 registered individuals with more people contacting us every week as SensationALL’s Chief Executive, Katie McNutt, explains:
“People seeking assessment for conditions like Autism and ADHD are facing lengthy waiting times to be seen by professionals and charities like us are filling the gap by offering practical support.
Over a third of families approaching us are being referred to us by professionals in the NHS, social work or education sectors, but there is no statutory funding available to us to cover the cost us intervening when they cannot.”
Our charity has been filling a gap in statutory services in the northeast for the last 13 years, stepping in to offer support when statutory organisations are unable to intervene due to no formal diagnosis being in place.
But even people with a diagnosis find there is a severe lack of social activities and support groups for neurodivergent people where they can make friends, build confidence and importantly, be themselves without judgement in places where their additional needs are accommodated.
Furthermore, parents and carers are in desperate need of practical advice so they can feel better equipped to support their loved-one to overcome challenges their conditions present in everyday life (from sleep to restricted diets to sensory processing issues and accessing education).
Over 42,000 children in Scotland are waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment, and in some regions this figure has increased by over 500% since 2020. (Statistics as of March 2025)
Increased awareness of neurodivergence in adults has also led to a surge in demand for adult assessments, and over 23,000 adults are waiting for a neurodevelopmental assessment in Scotland which has increased by over 2200% since 2020.
The average longest waiting time to receive an assessment is 182 weeks (three and a half years).
Increased demand for support has led to increased pressure on the third sector, which provides a range of pre and post diagnostic support for neurodivergent people in Scotland.
These statistics prompted a response from The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland and the Child Heads of Psychology Services, who have created a proposal of a “new four-level neurodiversity pathway structure” which calls for a national approach to be taken to commissioning specialist third sector organisations providing support and services at all stages of the diagnostic journey”.
Specific examples of the support given by in the response include “establishing and maintaining peer support networks, and employability training” which mirrors much of what we are already doing without consistent funding.
Katie explains how the charity would welcome this approach which would bring more much-needed sustainable funding:
“This year we are finding it harder than ever to secure grants from private organisations and as we have no consistent local authority funding, we are unable to grow the services to meet demand from new people approaching us. Sadly, this is a reality that many charities are facing.
This year we must raise at least £520,000 to cover the operational costs of running at current levels but to tackle the urgent demand for more services will require a significant increase income.”
A key part of our growth strategy is the ambitious and exciting redevelopment of The Old Schoolhouse, our headquarters in Westhill. We are eagerly awaiting the decision of a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council for the building extension, which will double the current footprint but will cost around £1 million in construction costs which we will have to fundraise for over the next couple of years.
The upgraded facility is desperately needed and will greatly enhance local services available to hundreds of families across the northeast – we are eager to engage with stakeholders who can support the project.
The Old Schoolhouse
If you are interested in supporting SensationALL, please donate to our cause below, or if you have any other queries get in touch at info@sensationall.org.uk.
We are delighted to launch a new volunteer role aimed at professionals who want to give back to charity by donating their skills or professional insight.
Lisa Grainger, SensationALL’s fundraising and marketing manager, says: “Volunteers are an invaluable extension to our staff team and the ambassador role is a new flexible role that can be tailored to suit your interests and availability. There are no set hours and many ways to get involved, whether that’s promoting our events, connecting us with local businesses and schools or simply being a public face of the charity.
The role of an ambassadorcan take many forms; from attending events on behalf of the charity to talk about our services to reaching out to organisations for fundraising support or donations. It’s important to remember that the role can be bespoke to you as an individual too; allowing you to further awareness of the charity in a way that you are comfortable. This is really valuable to the charity as it allows us to reach out to new people, create fundraising opportunities and help create positive awareness among local communities.
The benefits of volunteering
Ambassadorsalso benefit personally, Lisa adds: “Our volunteers tell us they get a huge amount of enjoyment from their roles as they expand their understanding of neurodivergence, meet new people, add value to their CVs and most importantly, have fun!
Plus, the huge amount of satisfaction in seeing our small, local charity grow and thrive – volunteers can be proud that they’re making a positive difference. Any amount of time people can give is greatly appreciated and will help us achieve our charitable goals of supporting more people across the northeast.”
Ambassadors in action
Claire Muir, owner of Little Black Dog Media and parent of a SensationALL attendee, is one of the charity’s first ambassadors. She describes why she wanted to get involved:
“As someone who’s seen first-hand how SensationALL supports families, I wanted to give back. But with work and young children, I couldn’t commit to anything regular.
Lisa suggested I help on an ad-hoc basis with copywriting. There’s no pressure, but I’ve already helped a few times and it feels fantastic to support the charity in a way that works for me.”
Get in touch
Could you be our next ambassador? To find out more about becoming a SensationALL ambassador contact volunteering@sensationall.org.uk
One thing we know how to do at SensationALL is how to make our sessions fun!
Our creative team use a wide range of games to get youngsters moving their bodies and trying different sensory experiences. Play allows practitioners to implement clinical practices that are vital to improve self-regulation so youngsters are building skills without even realising it!
We asked practitioners, Michael and Rebekah to tell us how they have been using the classic game ‘Marco Polo’ in their sessions recently…
Why we play Marco Polo
Many neurodivergent people have difficulty with impulse control meaning they often respond to urges, thoughts or situations in extreme ways. We work with individuals to improve their self-awareness so they can feel in control whenever they are triggered by sensory stimulus or busy environments.
As Rebekah explains, “we play Marco Polo as it is perfect to strengthen the nervous system while building youngster’s tolerance of stressful situations“. The game’s format of start/stop actions supports inhibitory control (our ability to think before reacting) giving youngsters chance to practice managing their impulses.
There is a ‘rush’ element at the start of the game when the players must race to find a hiding spot, so they need to move quickly and make a decision. Once in their hiding place, they must stop, stay still and be quiet, forcing them to fight the urge to move and make noise.
How to play Marco Polo
1. Choose a ‘catcher’ and blindfold them
2. Other players choose a hiding place
3. The ‘Catcher’ will call out ‘Marco’ and the players respond ‘Polo’ – the ‘Catcher’ follows the sound until they find each player.
During play, the game’s rules encourage them to focus their attention, behaviour, thoughts, and emotions by pausing and then using their reasoning to shout ‘polo’ at the right time.
The game allows players to experience how the fight, flight and freeze responses feel in their body through positive, fun activities.
As the catcher gets closer to those hiding, they will experience heightened emotions before returning the nervous system to a state of calm. Going through this sequence of feelings repeatedly demonstrates that they are safe in their body and helps them learn to manage and respond appropriately and safely.
By introducing these experiences via a fun game, we reduce negative reactivity which may be dangerous or harmful. Over time youngsters will build their tolerance (slowly!) to stress.
Plus, all games allow children to practice turn taking and social interaction – so there are lots of benefits!
There are lots of games that can be played at home with the same effect:
Hide & Seek
Stuck in the Mud
Floor is Lava
Simon Says
Freeze Tag
Musical Statues
Why not choose a game for you and your family to do at home – you could make it a regular feature in the week.
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Most people look forward to the festive period but if you are neurodivergent then it can exacerbate issues you already find tricky… changes in routine, activities and expectations.
Some of our ‘neuro-spicy’ staff and families have collaborated to pull together this list of tips and suggestions to help you tackle the Christmas and New Year period. We’ve even included some handy templates and resources!
Own your own Christmas!
It’s ok to do your version of whatever you want, or need, to do!
Be by yourself, have no decorations, eat your usual favourite foods, stay in jammies, play with old familiar toys, watch the same old TV programmes, open presents (do they need wrapped?) when you feel like it… whatever helps you and your family to cope with these different festive experiences.
Reducing demands can help avoid overwhelm and meltdowns, so everyone can self-regulate.
Social demands can be high at this time of year, so try to be aware of your own social battery and be selective about what you commit too; even if this means missing a gathering or leaving early. Space out social events to make sure you and your family have time to recover and decompress.
Sensory Solutions
Reducing sensory overload can be tricky at this time of year. Here are some ways to cope:
Create a safe/quiet space with sensory supports and familiar comfy clothes/blankets or ear defenders if needed.
Consider your environment. How can you reduce food smells, lighting or noise? Does changing the environment help; take time out in a quiet, safe space, go outside/for a drive.
Use familiar sensory tools and resources. If you are going out remember to take your favourite sensory items with you. Being in busy or unfamiliar social settings could result in an increase in stimming behaviour and greater reliance on sensory tools.
Communicate. Explain to people if you or your loved one is feeling overwhelmed. Why not encourage the whole family to use our energy battery to share how they are feeling – you can even turn it into a game! If the adults/non-neurodivergent people model some regulating activities (massage, deep breathing, bear hugs, active calming etc.) then it becomes the norm. Brief the whole family on what the triggers or signs of dysregulation are for you and tell them what your sensory solutions and strategies are.
Plan sensory breaks or active moments try to avoid sensory overwhelm by proactively taking time out to regulate and recharge.
Plan, Prepare & Prioritise
Preparing for all the changes to routine and expectations is so important! If you introduce visual supports such as calendar countdowns, social stories, schedules in advance then you/your neurodivergent loved-one will feel more in control. Having a set routine of activities can help many, others might prefer having a choice of what activities they do or what order they do them in. Use visual choice boards so they can choose and during activities, timers can be great to define the start and end.
There can be a lot of anxiety and/or excitement associated with Christmas, especially Christmas eve when sleeping may be even more difficult. Prioritise some relaxation exercises and wind-down time before bedtime to try ease the transition to sleep (remember, relaxation for some can be both low and high energy!).
Trying to juggle everyone’s needs and expectations at this time of year can be very stressful. It is almost impossible to achieve this. It can be particularly tricky having some children or adults in the household who can and want a more traditional Christmas, balancing that with those who find it more difficult and require their own version. Remember to use your usual strategies and techniques – if that means using separate rooms, each doing different activities at different times, using screen time, fidgets/sensory supports, limiting time at the table, eating under the table, particularly at unfamiliar environments or in a group situation, that is ok.
Maybe having a code word, gesture or symbol card to demonstrate a need for support between family members could work. Remember your own needs – take the time and space to calm your chaos: step outside into the cold air, take some deep breaths, listen to your favourite music!
Use our resources!
Christmas expectations template
Fill this template in and share with others to help them understand your needs.
We know it can be hard to initiate conversations with family or friends about why you and your loved-ones do things differently at Christmas so hopefully this will make it a little easier.
By explaining your requirements you can set expectations which will help them understand and accommodate your needs so everyone has a good time!
Some may think that is an overly generalised statement but, the reality is that modern life is fast paced, highly stimulating and demanding, which is incredibly difficult for everyone but especially for those with additional support needs. Life today comes with a never-ending list of societal expectations, pass your exams, go to University, build a fulfilling career, have successful relationships, become a parent, contribute to your community (we could go on!😉). If you have a neurodivergent condition such as Autism or ADHD, then living up to these expectations can be an up-hill struggle.
The numerous unwritten rules of how to engage in social settings are a minefield for neurodivergent people and they can find building friendships or personal interactions particularly challenging!
For example, a neurodivergent person may struggle to interpret conversational cues so doesn’t understand or see the point of ‘small talk’. Or someone who finds reading body language tricky so is oblivious to another person trying to instigate a conversation and comes across as rude or abrupt when they give one-word answers (or walk away while the other person is mid-sentence!).
And nowadays these situations occur during online interactions too! The expectation that everyone will have a social media presence to document their every move and thought is an additional pressure. Communicating via the internet might be less intimidating than face-to-face interactions for many neurodivergent people but, they are still expected to do this within the ever-changing parameters of digital etiquette which can be difficult to monitor.
All of this leaves many neurodivergent people isolated and excluded because society is not flexible enough to accommodate anyone who processes information and situations differently. They are forced to work extra hard to process the world around them, often ‘masking’ their neurodiversity, by hiding their stimming behaviour or forcing themselves to maintain eye contact or sit still just to fit in. But that requires a massive amount of energy and many people reach ‘burnout’ as they become mentally, psychologically and emotionally exhausted.
What is the solution?
Well in an ideal world, society would change but sadly, it’s not that straight forward. Awareness of neurodiversity is increasing but, practical steps to accommodate neurodivergent people are slow at being implemented throughout society.
More social spaces!
There needs to be a greater understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent people who should be celebrated and included rather than being expected to adjust their behaviour to conform to restrictive societal expectations. There is a shortage of social activities where neurodivergent people can meet others and socialise without sensory overload and where neuro-inclusivity is the norm, not the expectation!
At SensationALL, our mission is to provide safe places for ALL ages to access play and social groups where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong with support from our specialist practitioners.
Our range of social groups, known as ‘SociALLise’, are designed around the preferences and needs of the attendees so they can have fun doing things they enjoy. There are SociALLise groups for primary school ages, teenagers and young adults and we now regularly hold five different sessions each week in Aberdeen and Westhill.
Most importantly, SociALLise is a community! Once you have a place, it is yours for life. Over the years, many youngsters have transitioned from the primary school aged groups right up to the young adult groups and along the way have made life-long friends.
“I love attending SensationALL! I can be myself. I don’t worry about what other people think of me there.”
a SociALLise attendee
Practical Support
We believe in empowering individuals by sharing our SensationALL tips and techniques which they can use in everyday life to feel more resilient in overwhelming situations. Sessions are a safe space to share experiences and open up about worries allowing them to understand more about themselves and build self-value and feel accepted. This support allows them to take ownership of their neurodivergent identity as they realise they are not alone.
Our team of practitioners have a wealth of experience in supporting individuals with complex needs and as some identify as neurodivergent themselves they can use first-hand experiences to relate to our attendees.
Supporting SociALLise sessions
Demand is growing exponentially for places in our SociALLise sessions and we have 90 youngsters waiting for places right now! New families are approaching us every week but we need to increase our income before we can create more of these invaluable groups.
Our aim is to have more SociALLise sessions taking place in locations across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire so if you want to help SensationALL support more young neurodivergent people please get in touch! You could fundraisefor us or get involved with one of our upcoming events, click below for details.
For anyone interested in using our services or attending a SociALLise session, the first step is to register with us.
For those of us with school aged youngsters, the summer holidays can present a daunting period of several weeks when we’re out of normal routine which is particularly hard to navigate for individuals with neurodivergent conditions.
Many families living with neurodivergent or complex conditions can’t access or enjoy the same holidays or events as those with neurotypical youngsters and we understand that finding opportunities to suited to your families needs is difficult.
We are here to support you with our 8 top practical tips and some useful resources to make your summer a little bit easier…
1. Set a routine
Give structure to unstructured time! Youngsters are used to the daily timetable that comes with school, from leaving the house on time to set mealtimes and designated playtime and for most neurodivergent children, routine = comfort and safety.
To ease the transition to holidays, it can be vital to keep some level of routine so your young person will understand what is expected of them at different points of the day/week.
Create structure by using a visual timetable or chatting through the day’s plans in advance, a visual family calendar is a great way to plan out the week or even the month. At SensationALL, we regularly use ‘now and next’ boards to clearly communicate with youngsters e.g. “now we are playing in the garden, next we will go to the shop“.
It’s important to build in their choices (even if it’s from your shortlist), to promote a sense of involvement and control for them. Just remember, your routine should reflect what works well for you and your family.
Here are some templates you can print to create your routine…
July calendar template
August calendar template
Activity Visuals
Now/Next planner template
2. Set realistic expectations
Expectations of what the day/holiday will be like often sets us up for failure. Remember, the perfect day is different for everyone!
It’s so hard not to compare yourself to others and aim for what society expects you to do during the summer holidays. The small talk at the school gates can evoke anxiety and even disappointment about your plans… “you going away this year?”, “planning to take the kids to [insert name of popular event/play facility]?” Aaargh!!
The best way to overcome those feelings is by being realistic about your family’s boundaries and adapting your plans to suit. Expect multiple changes throughout the holidays (to diet, sleep, behaviour) as emotions will fluctuate with daily changes in activities and routines. Be flexible – if something isn’t going to plan, change the plan!
Our adult expectations of the “perfect” family day are often unrealistic – be kind to yourself by avoiding unnecessary expectations. Why force yourself to go abroad or be in busy environments if the stress is going to be too much. Your youngster will have a better time if the experience is relaxed and fun – they don’t remember the small details that we do. And, don’t feel bad if your plans aren’t as elaborate or busy as other families – your version of an ideal day is enough!!!
3. Individualise the plan
Make your plans together as a family, so everyone can suggest an activity they’d like to do during the holidays – picnics, trips to the local park, having a movie afternoon – whatever they like doing! This will give them a sense of control while empowering their sense of self as their interests and preferences bring comfort and stability.
Every child is unique and will present differently with individual needs. You are the expert when it comes to your child, so don’t compare with others do what’s right for you your child and your family. Keep using any strategies that work in term-time.
Make sure to include time for relaxing or downtime as it can be tempting to have fill the days with activities and adventures but often this is overwhelming for both them and us. Maybe alternate activity days with low key days at home. The odd PJ day is a great idea!
Use our Energy Ladders templates to manage everyone’s emotions throughout the holidays. Why not create a personalised one for each member of the family so everyone can use it to communicate and highlight what they need.
4. Prepare!
Do some role-play if you are going on holiday or having days out as it can be overwhelming for our individuals if they don’t know what an event/place may be like, or what will happen when they get there.
Many venues have video walk-through’s/photos or generic scenarios can be found online to watch beforehand. Making a checklist of expectations (to mark off as they happen) can be a good way of manage expectations. Role-playing the event helps to prepare them, e.g. pretending you’re in the airport, going through customs, pretend to scan the suitcase etc.
Remember to COMMUNICATE! One of the biggest causes of anxiety is the unknown. Chat through the day’s plan, talk about feelings about an event, use visuals to communicate (could be photos on your phone, symbols or hand drawn pictures, checklists, schedules, coping strategy cards etc.). Communicate as a family, chatting through concerns, needs and expectations as a group “what shall we do if“… to help each family member feel prepared.
6. Ask for help
Many places, events, and businesses will have accommodations for those with additional needs or neurodivergent conditions but sometimes they aren’t obvious and too often we feel embarrassed or afraid to ask.
Lots of venues provide free carer places or sensory kits/visual guides and there may be quieter routes/areas you can access. Wearing a sunflower lanyard can be helpful to alert staff to your family’s possible support needs, and can even reduce waiting times or the need to queue.
7. Take care of you
Constantly thinking of our child’s needs can be exhausting! Often we are surviving on little sleep, or virtually no respite from our caring roles. It’s vital that you take care of you too!
Say ‘no’ to things that will overstretch you. Ask for support from others (a partner, relative or friend) who can watch the children while you have a shopping trip, walk or drive by yourself – whatever you need to stay sane!
Find your Tribe! Never forget… you are part of a wider parenting ‘tribe’ of families going through similar things who are also desperate for company.
“Taking care of myself does not mean me first, it means… me too”
Reach out to a friend, message a social media group chat, or email us at SensationALL. It’s highly likely someone else will be up for that trip to the park or be available for a coffee and chat. Support from others on outings can make or break the trip.
Even though SensationALL’s sessions fill up quickly, our network of families are always available via the Facebook forum!
8. Keep it sensory
Sensory activities and toys are great for keeping youngsters regulated. Never leave home without a sensory bag of tricks containing their favourite fidgets or comforters.
Build a mix of high and low energy activities into your schedule so to manage periods when they are feeling over or under stimulated. Active calming exercises like obstacle courses, skipping, running or bouncing are perfect for those with excess energy. While it’s a great idea to keep a selection of calming activities in reserve for whenever you need them to stay indoors or bring their energy down.
Here are some of our SensationALL sensory activities that can easily be done at home. There’s things to make, bake and feel great with high energy activities like the scavenger hunt (perfect to keep youngsters focused on a task while you’re out and about) or the lower energy word search which is great for those who find cognitive exercises relaxing…
It may seem like a long time away but keep focused on the return to school as, it will present yet ANOTHER change for youngsters who have probably just got used to the holiday routine.
A few weeks before school restarts, why not deliberately drive or walk past the school or go to the school playground. Use the calendar to have a countdown so it’s clear how many days there are before school starts.
Why not make the back-to-school shopping a fun activity they can be part of? Going into shops might not be possible but get them to choose their new school bag or lunchbox online so they feel involved.
For older children, use what you know about their new schedule, classes, peers to prepare them for the transition to a new class or school. Stay positive by highlighting the things they like about school and emphasise opportunities that a new year presents i.e. better school lunches, more variety of classes etc. The week before school it can be really helpful to get back into the early morning routines (for us as well as them!).
No matter what you do this summer, we hope you have a SensationALL time! Remember, to celebrate the days/times when things go well!
Thanks to funding from Inspiring Scotland, we have launched a new group for adults aged 18 and over, who self-identify as, or are diagnosed with a neurodiverse condition such as Autism or ADHD.
If you are an adult who has been diagnosed later in life, or if you suspect you have a neurodiverse condition, we know it can be stressful learning how to cope with the challenges that neurodiversity can present. Our support groups have been created to bring you together in a safe, friendly place so you can build networks with others in similar situations. You are not alone!!
Sessions are a chance to meet and socialise with other like-minded adults in a relaxed environment, compare your experiences and perspectives of neurodiversity. Our specialist neurodiversity practitioners will chat about a different topics each week and share their practical advice and knowledge.
We will give you:
a safe, non-judgemental place to express yourself
an introduction to self-regulation techniques
signposting to other organisations and networks that may be of benefit
wellbeing and resilience strategies
social opportunities to build friendships and peer networks
resources to reinforce learnings from sessions
Weekly on Tuesdays, 6.30-8pm
At Belgrave House, Belgrave Terrace, Rosemount, Aberdeen, AB25 2NR
At SensationALL, we know that Halloween is one of the events in the year that divides people as, while it is a fun celebration for most, many families living with neurodivergent individuals find it a difficult and challenging experience.
If you want to celebrate Halloween this year, here are a few suggestions of how to make it a happy and fun experience for your family…
Plan
Decide what you and your family can enjoy (or perhaps just tolerate!) and make plans – do you want to carve a pumpkin, dress up, go to a party, or even go Trick or Treating? Planning in advance gives you a chance to help youngsters with additional support needs understand the event and decide how they want to participate so they feel more in control.
Top tip – Show them examples of different activities. Visual stories are useful for introducing different options for celebrating so they can vote for what they want to do. Try these social stories from Little Puddins:
But, always be flexible – you may need to change plans at short notice to suit your neurodivergent person!
Prepare
Use a countdown in the run up to activities or events – use visual schedules to clearly identify what is happening when.
If dressing up – practice wearing the costume a few times. Consider giving the costume a sensory element (e.g. soft, furry, cosy etc.) or maybe attach a fidget toy to it. Some people like masks to hide behind but others find them constrictive – let your neurodivergent person choose the outfit and how dressed up they want to be. Pinterest is a great source of ideas like these sensory costume suggestions.
Do some role play of the Trick or Treating process. Only make them hold the bucket/bag if they want to and decide together beforehand if they are happy to speak to people or if they want parents/siblings to talk for them.
Top tip– use photos from the internet/social media to show them examples of different costumes they might see when out and about to prepare them for people wearing masks or scary outfits.
Have an exit strategy
We all know that the best laid plans often don’t work out so it’s a good idea to have an exit strategy.
That could be a plan B option if your youngster refuses to do what you previously agreed – a relaxing Halloween craft or making a Halloween themed snack might be more achievable.
If you do make it out and about, then agree a signal for them to give if they start to feel overwhelmed so you know when it’s time to head home or to a quiet place.
Make it fun!
Halloween can be fun in lots of different ways and there is no “right” way to do it.
They might only wear part of a costume or go Trick or Treating to 1 or 2 houses (or just their grandparent’s house!) or watch while you carve the pumpkin. However they choose to take part, celebrate it and enjoy the small successes with them.
No matter what you do this Halloween, you know your family best so choose the best way to take part without stress. And if your neurodivergent person doesn’t want to do anything at all that’s absolutely fine!
SensationALL’s services and activities for Neurodiverse individuals and those with complex conditions are a lifeline for many. However, our support is not only for attendees themselves, but also for the wider family. In 2022, we created a timetable of informal support groups for parent/carers. The benefit of having this peer support can be huge!
Many parents tell us how alone and lost they feel so being part of this network helps them cope with the emotional burden of caring for someone with complex needs. The sharing of experiences and empathy they get from the group is invaluable and can result in improved resilience and reduced anxiety.
We thought Mental Health Awareness month was the perfect time to share one of our family’s stories…
Kelly’s daughter Georgia-Rose has a diagnosis of Autism and is currently undergoing assessment for ADHD. Kelly suspected from a very young age that Georgia-Rose might be Autistic:
“She really struggled with her meltdowns which, I originally thought were just bad tantrums but the older she got it became apparent they were so much more! Georgia-Rose is a huge masker – she keeps everything bottled in at school and plays a character to fit into society but, when she gets home the mask comes off and she often explodes. From a young age she has experienced sensory difficulties, certain sounds, textures and smells would trigger her and we didn’t know how to deal with it”.
The family’s first experience of SensationALL was coming to our Santa’s Grotto after a disastrous visit to a public grotto when Georgia-Rose left feeling terrified and sad. Her parents were flooded with guilt for taking her somewhere that caused such upset and were devastated she couldn’t enjoy something magical that most children love.
After seeing our details on Facebook, Kelly brought her girls to our relaxed grotto at The Old Schoolhouse in Westhill which, was designed to offer an simpler, unintimidating situation for Neurodiverse children to cope with. This time, her reaction to Santa was completely different to Kelly’s delight; “the look on Georgia-Roses face was something I will cherish forever! She went straight into the grotto and actually spoke to Santa! It was the most special thing for us as her parents to see her enjoy something that had previously terrified her!”
This positive experience led to Georgia-Rose attending numerous soft play sessions and she completing our self-regulation programme, Chill-OOT. As a result, her confidence and self-esteem has grown massively and she now knows ways to calm herself down when she’s overwhelmed and her parents and the wider family have also learnt techniques to help her when she in these situations. Amazingly, Georgia-Rose is able to tell them how things make her feel in different situations which is a huge positive step and has benefited the whole family.
Kelly says, “before I came to SensationALL I had absolutely no idea how to cope with Georgie’s meltdowns. I had been given advice from professionals and had done endless amounts of reading online but for some reason nothing seemed to work with my daughter and her difficulties. I constantly felt judged as a parent, and didn’t want my daughter to be thought of as a badly behaved kid who wouldn’t listen to her parents or just screams and shouts to get her own way. I felt very alone as a parent and didn’t know where to I could find help from people who just ‘got it’.
I started attending the parent support group every week and it has been the best thing I’ve done for myself in this journey – I had no idea how much I needed it! Being around other parents who face the same day to day difficulties as I do is just priceless!
I believe its helped me become a better parent to not only Georgia-Rose, but her youngest sister Ellie-Jane too.
SensationALL means the world to me. It’s a place I can go and cry and know that somebody will be there for me with a tissue and a hot cup of tea. The support I receive is irreplaceable, SensationALL is somewhere I can go and won’t be judged.”
Not feeling alone on this crazy journey of parenting a child with additional support needs is the BEST thing ever!
Kelly
Our Family Support Practitioner, Jo, is also a parent of a young Neurodiverse son so she has experienced many of the situations that our families face:
“I know first-hand that being a parent of a child with additional needs can be isolating and lonely. Parents of neurotypical children can try their best to be supportive but, through no fault of their own, they cannot identify with the unique struggles a parent of a child with Additional Support Needs face daily.
The sharing of experiences allows parents and cares to be heard, and often, for the first time feel accepted and less alone, it is a privilege for me to watch the magic happen in our sessions.
Usually, our sessions are simply an open forum when, struggling parents can chat, cry and laugh which, releases tension and you see the weight starting to lift as their share their problems. We journey together as a group, grieving the difficult times, proactively looking for practical solutions to ease the struggles. I’m honoured to be part of the SensationALL community for parents.”
WATCH – this video features Kelly as well as some other parents talking about SensationALL…
If you’re a parent, guardian, or carer, more information on support sessions is here or email us to ask for more information.
We’ve been delighted with the success of our virtual services since the pandemic forced us to suspend face-to-face activities. But as a needs led service, we are always looking for ways to improve our programme and respond to input from our attendees.
Therefore, we are delighted to announce that following feedback from our youngsters, we’ve added a brand new social group into the diary – Show & Tell
These weekly sessions are currently FREE OF CHARGE – read on for details of what’s involved…
Show & Tell
He is so engaged that I don’t have to ‘babysit’ him during the call.
It has certainly improved his confidence.
Parent feedback, April 2021
During virtual sessions in 2020, it became apparent that our young service users were relishing the chance to share news or tell each other about their hobbies and interests. It became such an important part of video calls that the idea of a stand-alone Show & Tell group was planted!
The SensationALL team then designed a relaxed, weekly session which uses the Show & Tell format as a way to promote communication and listening skills with each participant encouraged to contribute.
Plus, there are fun activities and challenges to enable each child to practice invaluable social skills such as team work, turn-taking and friendship building.
Who is it for?
Show & Tell is aimed at primary school-age children with support needs who struggle with communication, social interaction or making friends.
Contact us if you would like to discuss your child’s individual needs.
I like it because I get to meet other children and I like the games!
Show & Tell attendee, April 2021
Typical session format
The hour longShow & Tell session follow a semi-structured format with a variety of different activities each week to keep regular attendees interested:
– News time – each child gets to share something they’ve done since the last session
– Activities & Games – active time to get them moving (such as scavenger hunts and house tours) or team problem solving games (e.g. quizzes or guessing games with pictures, logos or catchphrases)
– Weekly challenge – we set a challenge to complete at home before the next session – they can then share how they got on with it during News Time.
– Mindful reflection – we finish each session with a positivity and gratitude discussion when each person shares what they enjoyed most.
Benefits for your child
The aim of each session is to provide a safe space for your child to build their confidence in social groups.
We work on:
– improving tolerance towards others (through turn-taking and listening)
– communication skills
– increasing independence
– building positive friendships & relationships
Watch a recent Show & Tell session
Book a place
Sessions are available term time – MONDAYS – 4.30-5.30pm or 6-7pm
