Autism Information Workshops for Parents and Carers awaiting an Autism Referral

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Autism Hampshire will be running a number of Autism Information Workshops for parents and carers of children awaiting an Autism referral.

Each workshop is 3 hours long and consists of six sessions. The workshops are:

  1. Introduction into Autism: This session will provide some general context for the other sessions.
  2. Thinking: Explores differences in brain structure and how this generates some unique styles of thinking. It includes some practical suggestions on how to support areas of difficulty.
  3. Communication: Discussing autistic perspectives on the use and processing of communication and strategies for adapting interactions.
  4. Social Interaction: A focus on rethinking social expectations concerning your child and developing relationships.
  5. Sensory Perception: Looking at sensory perception, how it manifests itself in behaviour, and strategies to either alert or calm your child as appropriate.
  6. Behaviour: Explore how accepting, understanding and adapting to how your child sees the world can dramatically reduce anxiety and behaviours of concern.

Courses will be running between 19th April 2021 and 30th July 2021.

Families can book a place by contacting Autism Hampshire by email: trainingadmin@autismhampshire.org.uk

Please see flyer below for further details.

Southampton-PARENT-WorkshopFlyer-April-2021

New children’s and young people’s Autism telephone support service

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The Education Psychology Service is piloting a new telephone/video consultation service to parents and carers of children and young people with social communication difficulties and/or autism.

Consultations can be requested where there is a concern about learning and education, behaviour, or worries about wellbeing.

Families can contact Jackie.holgate@southampton.gov.uk to request a consultation. The consultation will last a maximum of 40 minutes.

Please see flyer below or further details.

Parent-telephone-consultation-flyerfinal

Covid Vaccination Clinic Instructions

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Directions

The vaccination centre is at the University Health Centre, Building 48 on the university campus. Vehicle access is via Highfield Lane > Hawthorn ROad > Chamberlain Road (the more direct route from Burgess Road may be blocked by a barrier). Please see below for a suggested route. There is parking near the health centre.

Instructions

  • You must only attend for vaccination if you have a booked appointment.

  • The clinic will be very busy. Please attend at your appointed time to help the clinic run smoothly.

  • You must wear a mask for the duration of the appointment.

  • You may need to queue outside the building prior to your appointment.  Please dress with warm outer clothing that can be quickly removed to allow access to your upper arm.

  • You will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after your vaccination for a period of observation.

  • You may bring a family member or carer to assist you if needed.

  • The vaccination will be administered by a member of staff from Stoneham Lane Surgery or Burgess Road. There will be volunteers and other members of staff on hand to direct you and assist if required.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which vaccine is being used?

We have been given the Pfizer Biontech vaccine.

2. When will I get my second dose?

We have not yet been informed when the second dose will be available. This may be any time between 3 weeks and 12 weeks after the first dose. We will notify you when we are in a position to invite you to receive the second dose.

3. Can I have the Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine instead?

At this stage the Pfizer vaccine is the only one that has been made available to us. We have no firm information as to if and when the Astrazeneca vaccine will be available. We have no control over this process.

4. Is it safe?

The vaccine has been passed as safe to use by the MHRA. Certain people are advised not to have the vaccine. Please see the NHS website here for more details. You will be asked screening questions before you are given the vaccine.

5. Why can't I come to Stoneham Lane Surgery to have the vaccination?

The Pfizer vaccine has to be stored at very low temperatures before it is used. Once it has been defrosted it must be used within a short space of time. For this reason NHS England has required that it be administered in centralised vaccination centres.

6. I'm housebound and can't get to the centre. Can I have the vaccination at home?

Separate arrangements are being planned to vaccinate patients who are housebound. You will be contacted in due course.

7. Why haven't I been invited to attend yet?

The first group of patients to be invited will be those over 80. If you are in this group you will be contacted by our staff. Other at risk groups will be invited in successive vaccination clinics as and when vaccine is available. Please do not contact the surgery to enquire about this. You will be contacted when we ourselves are informed (the supply of vaccine is centralised and we have no control over this process. Vaccine delivery is confirmed at quite short notice).

 

Please wear a mask when you come to the surgery

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In line with government advice we are recommending that patients and other visitors to the surgery wear a face covering. Young children and those who are unable to tolerate a mask are not required to wear one.

Please see the government website for more information.

Please do not contact us to request an exemption from mask wearing for any reason. You are able to print your own exemption card from the government website here.

Flu Vaccination Programme 2020

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The 2020 influenza vaccination programme will start shortly. We will adviertise when we have received our supply of vaccines. Please keep an eye on the website for further information. Please see the NHS website here for further details on who is eligible for the vaccine and why it is recommended.

Please note that, if you are aged between 50 and 64 and not in a clinical at risk group, the earliest you will be offered a flu vaccination is November, providing there is sufficient vaccine.  No appointments will be offered for people in this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.    If you are aged 50 to 64 and are in a clinical ‘at risk’ group which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier. Please see this Public Health England leaflet for more information.

Please bear in mind that the influenza vaccine does not protect against Covid-19. It may be some time until an effective vaccine is available against Covid is available. Until that time it is essential that you follow government advice to reduce the risk of you contracting the virus and passing it on to others.

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Important message to parents of children who have a fever

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Dear parents, please take note of this important message from The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health:

“At this challenging time, it is extremely important for you to know that COVID-19 is unlikely to make your child unwell, but they like everyone else might be infectious so staying at home when well remains the message. However, all the ‘normal’ illnesses that can make children severely unwell still remain and there is a major risk that parents may delay bringing their child to the attention of a healthcare professionals even if they are unwell because of concerns about COVID-19. GPs and hospitals are still providing the same safe care that they have always done for children . If you are not sure if your child is unwell and whether they need to be seen, click here https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/national  call 111 or contact your GP. For information about crying babies, click here http://iconcope.org/parentsadvice/ . If your child appears severely unwell and advice is not quickly available call 999 or take them to ED as you would in other times.”

Resources to help you look after your mental health during the pandemic and beyond

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Resources for Young People & their families

Their website can be accessed below or alternatively read their social prescribing leaflet

 

 

 

 

Social-Prescribing-Leaflet-July-2020-2

02380 833336

Click here to go to their website or view an extract from their mission statement below:

About Us

Welcome to The Mix

Life’s tough, we know that. It can throw a lot your way and make it hard to know what the hell to do with it all.

So, welcome to The Mix. Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome.

We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs.

We’re a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access our support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through our articles and video content online or our phone, email, peer to peer and counselling services – we put the control in your hands. You can even volunteer with us too.

We want to be the first place young people turn to get support. Sometimes what you’re told at school or at home just doesn’t cut it. We’re here whenever you need us, wherever you are. We can ensure you have all the best information to make the right choices for yourself.

Life is hard, but support doesn’t have to be. We’ve got this.

Vision Mission Values: 

What we do: The Mix is here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through our digital and phone services.

Our Vision is that all young people should be able to make informed choices about their physical and mental wellbeing so that they can live better lives.

Our Mission is to become the first point of contact for any young person seeking help or information on any subject wherever and whenever they need it.

Values:

  • Empowering – we lead, we train & support, we respect, we give space to grow, we give power to chose
  • Brave – we innovate, we pioneer, we take risks, we tell it how it is
  • Supportive – we listen, we encourage, we care, we’re understanding, we are empathetic
  • Collaborative – we are open & transparent, we co-create, we respect experience & expertise
  • Proactive – we create situations, we make things happen, we get things done
  • Non-judgemental – we do not judge, we do not criticise, we do not blame

Click here to go to their website

Harmless was established at the beginning of October 2007 to respond to the needs of people who do or are at risk of self-harm and suicide. It is a national voluntary organisation for people who self harm, their friends, families and professionals.

Truth about self harm WEB FINAL

visit their website here for more info

visit their website here

 

https://what0-18.nhs.uk/ Healthier together website provided by local children's specialists. informaiton and support on physical and mental health problems for children and their parents.

https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ - This covers numerous symptoms of developmental disorders and mental health conditions. It also has a lot of helpful advice ranging from online safety to getting children to eat greens. Mixture of articles and short videos.

www.young minds.org.uk - informaiton and advice for young peopl, parents and profressionals; includes a telephone advice line and videos. This website covers emotional health, mental health conditions and neurodevelopmental dosroders eg Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

www.getselfhelp.co.uk - this website contains freee downloadable activities and videos for you to support your child to manage their emotional and mental health

 

 

 

 

http://www.theredlipstickfoundation.org/  offer services to families bereaved by suicide, or immediate family members following a traumatic younger person’s sudden death

http://www.simonsays.org.uk/ loacal bereavement dervice for children

https://www.cruse.org.uk/ National bereavement service

ThinkNinja is a mental health app designed for 10 to 18 year olds. Using a variety of content and tools, it allows young people to learn about mental health and emotional wellbeing, and develop skills they can use to build resilience and stay well.

Free during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

The SENDIASS aims to empower children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities and their parents/carers to make informed decisions about education, health and social care.

https://www.southamptonsendiass.info/

Tel: 0300 303 2677

A parent-led organisation supporting families whose children have Autism, ADHD and/or mental health needs.

https://www.reminds.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/reminds

Domestic Violence Support

visit Southampton City Council Website here for domestic violence support information and resources

Another option is the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership for support and and advice. Visit their website here.

https://www.hamptontrust.org.uk/ Support projects for those who have perpetrated domestic abuse and adults and young people who have experienced domestic abuse

https://www.yellowdoor.org.uk  or telephone 02380636313: support project for adults and young people who have experienced physcial or sexual abuse

Drugs and alcohol support

Local & online NHS Services

Websites and apps & helplines

Please Call: 023 8017 9049

Phonelines open:

Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm
(except bank holidays)

Visit their website here

Headspace App. Based around teaching mindfulness meditation principles to improve wellbeing, Headspace is offering free subscriptions during the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can use the app to record whatever you feel worried about. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to help you notice and challenge your worries. It can also help you create an action plan for managing worry.

 

Self-help guides to view online or download

THE CBT Resource Managing Stress During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Psychology Tools - Living wih Worry and Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty

Coronavirus - Managing Anxiety - London Trauma Society

Gambling support

Bereavement Counselling

https://www.cruse.org.uk/