The South East Essex Neurodevelopmental Service supports children who have a neurodevelopmental condition and their parent carers. It is based at the Lighthouse Child Development Centre in Southend.
The neurodevelopmental pathway helps children and young people who are showing signs of a neurodevelopmental condition. A specialised team are able to assess children and young people and diagnose neurodevelopmental conditions such as:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition (ASD/C)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (age 6 years plus)
- Tics and Tourette's syndrome
- Dyspraxia
Getting a referral
Any professional from Health, Education or Social Care can refer onto the pathway. Self-referrals are not accepted.
It is important that referrals include accurate and complete information. The professional who knows the child best should make the referral. If your child is in education, this will probably be the school or early years setting, rather than their GP.
If you are concerned about your child's development, discuss this with your nursery, school or other education setting SENCO in the first instance. For very young children speak to your Health Visitor.
Referral process and forms for schools and GPs.
Further information about assessment and diagnosis and information leaflets on the EPUT website.
Support and resources
There are local and national resources for parent carers supporting a child or young person with neurodevelopmental needs.
- a child or young person does not need a medical diagnosis to get support in an education setting. Read about support for SEND in schools.
- the following guides are available:
- A range of services are available that may be able to provide practical support. Find details of Southend support and national links.