Service categories: Counselling and therapies, Information, advice and advocacy

Service URL: https://www.psychology360.co.uk/therapeutic-support

Secondary URL: https://www.psychology360.co.uk/paediatric-autism-communication-therapy-pact

I am Dr Sharon Girdham, a Chartered Specialist Child and Educational Psychologist (HCPC registered) with over 25 years of experience supporting children, young people, and families. I have experience in a range of contexts, including schools, the NHS, and independent practice, with extensive experience supporting autistic children and young people, as well as those with social communication differences.

I am an accredited Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) Therapist, and have experience and training in Intensive Interaction. I support children at all stages of development, including pre-verbal children and those at the early stages of speech.

I offer personalised post-diagnosis and therapeutic work, tailored to the individual needs of each child, young person, and family. My approach is strengths-based, collaborative, and paced sensitively, with a focus on building understanding, connection, and practical strategies that support everyday life.

Support may include:

• Individual sessions with a child or young person.
• Parent and carer sessions to reflect, build strategies, and strengthen relationships (including PACT-informed work).
• Family sessions to develop a shared understanding and support connection.

Individual sessions (children and young people):

I work directly with children and young people to support them in understanding their diagnosis in a way that feels meaningful and empowering.

Using a range of low-key, personalised approaches, I gently explore areas of difference alongside helping them to recognise and celebrate their strengths. Together, we identify practical strategies to support everyday experiences, building a personalised wellbeing ‘toolkit’ they can draw on as they travel through school and into adulthood.

Sessions are led and paced by the child or young person, helping them to develop a richer understanding of themselves, and what Autism looks like for them. This includes recognising that needs and strengths evolve over time, and supporting them to navigate this with increasing confidence, independence, and resilience.

Family and parent/carer support:

I offer post-diagnostic support and consultation to help families better understand their child’s needs and develop practical, personalised strategies.

My work creates a safe space for reflection, where families feel heard, supported, and empowered. I work at a pace that feels right for each family, with an approach that is natural, respectful, and grounded in genuine partnership.

For families with children aged 2–11, I draw on PACT, an evidence-based approach which supports parents and carers to feel more attuned to their child. This work helps strengthen connection and supports calmer, more manageable everyday interactions.

I value the unique insight that parents and carers bring, and aim to build on the strengths already present within the parent–child relationship.

My approach:

Through this work, children, young people, and families are supported to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and each other, while building confidence, connection, and more positive, harmonious day-to-day experiences, both now and into the future.

Support is online, meaning that it is accessible to all families regardless of where they live.

To find out more, please visit my website.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child , Parent or carer of under 18, Young person

Referral Sources: Education, Private Only, Yourself

Specialisms: Autism, Generic, Learning disability

Other specialisms: Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT)