Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Tom's* story
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a time to recognise, support, and appreciate the unique strengths and challenges faced by neurodiverse individuals.
At Action for Children, we believe that every child deserves the right support to thrive - no matter their needs. Currently, outside of local authorities, we are England’s biggest provider of disability services for children and young people.
Seven-year-old Tom* and his family are a powerful example of how our support can make a huge difference.
You could help us continue to make a massive difference to the lives of neurodiverse children.
Tom is autistic and is on the ADHD spectrum. Before Action for Children stepped in, school was a daily struggle for him. The sense of feeling left out and a lack of understanding left Tom feeling frustrated and unsupported.
His mum, Lisa, was doing everything she could to help him, but she felt unheard, overwhelmed, and exhausted. The stress of the situation was taking a toll on the entire family. Her fiancé Dan and their five-year-old daughter Emily were also struggling to cope.
Lisa recalls feeling completely isolated:
Looking back now, the whole situation made me really poorly. I was so run down. I wasn’t looking after myself, I wasn’t eating properly, I was completely neglecting myself. My mental health was just in the bin and I was on the edge.
All of this changed when local children’s services referred Lisa to Action for Children’s Outreach Parenting Service in Worcestershire. Support workers John and Carrie worked closely with the family to provide emotional and practical support.
John helped Lisa navigate the complex nature of the education system. He pushed for Tom to get the school placement he needed. Meanwhile, Carrie became a trusted source of emotional support, helping Lisa to manage her own wellbeing alongside her son’s needs.
Carrie was so lovely and we clicked straight away. She was professional but eventually felt like part of the family. She listened to me and helped me work through my mindset and think in a more positive way.
Action for Children also provided sensory equipment, including a tent with sensory lighting, to help Tom self-regulate at home. With guidance, Lisa and Dan were able to support Tom’s sleep and daily routine.
With this holistic support, the family saw a huge difference. Tom was finally placed in a school that could meet his needs, where he is now thriving.
Tom is so much happier. He still has his wobbles but they know how to support him. He’s not coming home triggered anymore. He used to bottle up all his emotions at school and we would get the back end of it when he came home. Now he’s not masking anymore - he can just be himself and it’s so lovely to see.
Lisa’s mental health improved, and the family’s relationships became stronger. She and Dan were finally able to enjoy each other’s company again, and Emily felt more at ease in their home.
She said: “I don’t know what I would have done without the support. I would probably have had a breakdown. Action for Children’s support was everything.”
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Tom’s story is just one example of many on how we help support children with neurodiverse and/or additional needs. But there are still many families out there facing similar challenges - families who need us.
This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we ask you to help us make a difference. Your donation can provide vital resources and emotional support to children like Tom and their families.
You could help us continue to make a massive difference to the lives of neurodiverse children.
*Name changed to help protect identity
