Common questions.

No. Asking the question is the opposite of being a bad parent. Most parents I work with have been worrying quietly for months before reaching out. Not knowing what's going on is incredibly common, especially when behaviour, focus, sensory or social differences don't fit a neat label yet. You don't need a diagnosis or a plan to ask for help. A calm conversation to think it through is often the right first step.

It often isn't possible to tell from the outside, and it doesn't have to be one or the other. Behaviour that looks defiant, distracted or 'too much' can be a sign of unmet need, sensory overload, anxiety, ADHD, autism or simply a child finding the world harder than other children do. The first step is usually to gather what you're seeing in writing, talk to school about the graduated SEN response, and decide together what to explore next - whether that's school support, an assessment pathway or both.

SEN support is the help your child's school can put in place without involving the Local Authority - small group work, adjustments in class, a written plan reviewed with you each term. An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) is a legal document issued by the Local Authority when a child's needs cannot reasonably be met by SEN support alone. Most children with additional needs start with SEN support; an EHCP is the next step up when more is needed.

If the patterns you're seeing are persistent, affect more than one setting (usually home and school) and are getting in the way of daily life, an assessment is worth exploring. In the UK that usually starts with a GP referral to a community paediatrician or CAMHS, with private routes also available. A diagnosis is a tool, not a label - it can unlock understanding, school support and, where appropriate, treatment.

First, take a breath. School concerns aren't a verdict. I help you understand what was said, what it may mean and how to prepare for the next conversation calmly and with the right questions.

Disagreement is common and doesn't have to be confrontational. I help you understand your options, evidence and the routes available - including how to ask for support to be formally reviewed.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on what you're trying to understand and what comes next. I help you decide whether - and when - an EP makes sense for your child.

There's rarely one correct order, but there is usually a most efficient one for your situation. Mapping the order is often the single most valuable step parents take.

A diagnosis is one route, not the only route. I help you understand what a diagnosis can and can't unlock, so you can make an informed choice.

Yes. I help you understand the process, organise evidence and prepare strong parent contributions and supporting information.

Yes - that's the heart of what I do. Pathway navigation across school, NHS, Local Authority and independent routes.