Parent groups
The National Autistic Society Bristol branch
The branch is a parent support group based in Bristol.
Contact: Kathryn Mason
Tel: 0117 904 7682
Email: NASBristolBranch@nas.org.uk
The National Autistic Society Avon branch
This branch is for families of adults with an autism spectrum disorder, with meetings held in Bristol.
Contact: Diana Elliott
Tel: 07825 227026
Email: avon@nas.org.uk
Bristol Parent Autism Support Programme
A programme run by The National Autistic Society (NAS) for parents and carers who have a child with a diagnosis of autism, aged eight to 18.
Contact: Andrew Powell
Tel: 07919 258823
Email: andrew.powell@nas.org.uk
Sensory Processing Support Group
A support group for parents of children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Down's syndrome, which runs on the third Monday of every month from 7-9pm in Knowle.
Contact: Linda Plowden
Tel: 0117 907 9189
Telephone support services
Parent to Parent Service
A confidential service offered by the NAS: talk to one of our trained volunteers, who are all parents of children with autism themselves.
Tel: 0808 800 4106 (leave a message and a volunteer will call back)
Bristol Parent Carers Support Line
Tel: 0117 965 2200
This service has various activities on offer for parents and carers. Well worth contacting! They are based at the Vassail Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds.
Short breaks
Short Breaks Network
This organisation runs free parent or professional workshops on various issues related to disability.
Contact: Rob Fountain
Email: rob.fountain@shortbreaksnetwork.org.uk
Places can be booked online: http://shortbreaksnetworkevents.eventbrite.com/
Benefits and finances
Advice Centre North Bristol
Tel: 0117 951 5751
Email: team@northbristoladvice.org.uk
Advice Centre South Bristol
Tel: 0117 985 1122
Welfare Rights and Money Advice Support Service
Tel: 0117 352 1777
Education - support for your child
ASDOT (Autism Spectrum Disorder Outreach Team)
Contact this Bristol local authority team for information and advice. They can see your child in school if invited to do so by the school.
Tel: 0117 353 2565
Supportive Parents
A parent-led organisation that offers confidential, independent advice and support to parents of children with special educational needs.
Supportive Parents
3rd Floor, Royal Oak House
Royal Oak Avenue
Bristol BS1 4GB
Tel: 0117 989 7725
Email: mail@supportiveparents.org.uk
Bristol City Council - educational psychologists
Educational psychologists help children and young people from the ages of 0-19. They need an invitation from your child's school or nursery before they can see them, but if you're worried about your child's development at school and would like some advice you can contact the team at Bristol City Council.
Contact: Sarah Hayes, Principal Educational Psychologist
Tel: 0117 903 1650
Social services - support for your child
Bristol City Council - Disabled Children Service
The Disabled Children Service provides a range of services for disabled children in Bristol, including occupational therapy, community and respite care, and help to access play and leisure facilities.
if you want to write to social services to explain your child's needs and ask for an assessment, we have a template letter which you can use. Email andrew.powell@nas.org.uk and ask for a copy of the 'Social services letter'.
Disabled Children Service
5 Knowle West Health Park
Downton Road
Knowle West
Bristol BS4 1WH
Tel: 0117 903 8250. There is a duty social worker available fom 8.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8.30am-4.30pm on Friday.
You should also get your child’s name on the Bristol Register of Disabled Children if you have not already. The Disabled Children Service can help with this.
Transition
Bristol City Council - Transitions team
This team has a mixture of staff including Connexions advisers and social workers who work with young people aged 13-25 to ensure a smooth transition to adulthood. It helps young people and their parents and carers to make important choices about things such as work, housing, education and training.
Transition Information Project
Daventry Road
Knowle
Bristol BS4 1DQ
Tel: 0117 377 3878 or 0117 353 3142
Email: sharon.moore@bristol.gov.uk (team manager)
Connexions
Connexions is a service for young people aged 11-19. Through the best possible support and information, it aims to ensure a smooth transition to adulthood and working life.
Connexions
4 Colston Avenue
Bristol BS1 4ST
Tel: 0117 987 3700