If your child has Special Educational Needs or Disabilities, they are likely to experience a range of social and emotional difficulties, but it can be particularly hard to identify these as mental health struggles when many of the symptoms overlap with other issues.

Looking out for changes in your child’s behaviour can help identify issues, for example if they are unusually anxious or withdrawn, if their sleeping or eating patterns are different than usual. Or if they are experiencing more tummy aches or headaches than usual or expressing anger, fear, or frustration more than they might normally do, then it may be an indication of underlying mental health difficulties.

There are a number of different ways in which you can seek help and support.

Online support

The SENDIASS website offers advice and guidance for parents of children with special educational needs and learning disabilities on the Isle of Wight. They also have a special website for children and young people with helpful videos which you can access here.

There are also peer support groups operating on the Isle of Wight that can provide additional support. Groups like Autism Inclusion Matters (AIM) for autistic people over the age of 4, run various activities and support. They also run a sensory library and are loaning resources. To find out more you can text or WhatsApp 074498500607 or email admin@aimisleofwight.co.uk. Their website is AIM - Autism Inclusion Matters (aimisleofwight.co.uk).

Mencap has a useful section on its website providing general support for parents and carers.

The Isle of Wight Council has a website called The Local Offer to help make it easier to find information about what is available locally to help support children and young people (aged 0 to 25 years) with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND) and their families.  They also host a website section called ‘Short Breaks’ providing information about leisure and recreational activities for children with SEND and their families.

The National Autistic Society has a range of information on its website covering different behavioural issues and help and advice on how best to support your child.

If your child is showing signs of violent and challenging behaviour then these resources may also be useful, there are also videos then you might find helpful.

Contact a Family has also written a helpful guide about caring for a disabled child, which you can download here.

Talk to someone

You can talk to SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs Disability Information Advice and Support Service) in confidence on 01983 825548 (Monday-Friday including school holidays) or email them at sendiass@iow.gov.uk for help and support.

If you are a family member of someone on the autism spectrum, you can also get information and advice from the Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104.

Local support

Parents can get in touch with the IW Children’s (Paediatric) Occupational Therapy Service - a community based service for children between 0 - 18 years, or up to 19 years if still in full-time education. The service is provided to all infants, children and young people who have functional difficulties that cannot be met through the universal Occupational Therapy provision. It works with infants and children and their caregivers to maximise their potential for performance in developmental and functional activities of daily living at home and school. Areas would include play, eating, dressing and personal care, fine motor skills, self-regulation, accessing the school and community environment, advice to school around equipment, hobbies, sports and after school clubs. 

The Speech and Language Therapy Service are available for support to help improve the speech, language and communication skills of children and young people aged 0-19 years on the Isle of Wight, which can affect their wellbeing. You can find out more here.

The IOW (Isle of Wight) Autism Support Group has around 900 active members and offers lots of support. You can contact them via their Facebook page.

For parents of children with ADHD there is a community Facebook page where you can chat informally with other parents of children with ADHD for advice and shared experiences.

Isle of Wight SEN Support also has around 500 members and a wide range of information on their Facebook page.

The Isle of Wight Deaf Children’s Association is a local group run by parents and carers of deaf children, working together with local health and education professionals. You can contact them via email isleofwight@ndcsgroup.org.uk There is also a Saturday Club which provides activities geared towards deaf children and their families.

Parents Voice is the parents and carers forum for parents of children with SEND on the Isle of Wight. They can be contacted via email to parentsvoice@peoplematteriw.org

You can also talk to your GP about access to specialist help and support including Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).