Receiving a diagnosis of autism or ADHD is often just the beginning of a family's journey. Many children, young people and their families continue to need support to understand their experiences, develop coping strategies and build confidence in everyday life.

At Reach Autism Services, we provide individualised, neuro-affirmative psychological support tailored to the unique strengths, needs and goals of each child or young person. Rather than applying a "one size fits all" approach, therapy is carefully adapted to suit each individual's communication style, sensory profile, developmental level and lived experience.

Our Approach

Our work is grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming framework, recognising that autism and ADHD are natural variations in the way people think, learn and experience the world.

Therapy focuses on helping children and young people to understand themselves, reduce distress, build resilience and develop practical strategies that improve everyday functioning and wellbeing.

Where appropriate, we also work closely with parents, carers, schools and other professionals to help create supportive environments that enable children and young people to thrive.

Areas We Can Support

Therapy may be beneficial for children and young people experiencing:

• Anxiety and excessive worry
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• School anxiety and emotionally based school avoidance
• Social anxiety
• Trauma and adverse life experiences
• Difficult life transitions
• Bullying and peer relationship difficulties
• Self-harm and safety planning
• Sensory processing differences
• Identity and self-understanding following an autism or ADHD diagnosis
• Burnout and masking
• Family understanding and communication
• Developing independence and life skills

Therapeutic Approaches

Every therapy plan is tailored to the individual. Depending on a child's needs, sessions may draw upon a range of evidence-based approaches including:

Person-Centred Therapy

Providing a safe, accepting and compassionate space where children and young people feel heard, understood and valued.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Using structured, manualised CBT interventions adapted for neurodivergent children and young people to help manage anxiety, emotional wellbeing and unhelpful thinking patterns.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Supporting children and young people who have experienced traumatic events or overwhelming life experiences using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is an evidence-based psychological therapy used to help people process distressing or traumatic memories that continue to affect their daily lives.

Sessions are carefully adapted for neurodivergent children and young people, taking into account communication needs, sensory preferences and emotional regulation.

Emotional Regulation

Helping children and young people understand emotions, recognise triggers and develop practical strategies to regulate distress and increase emotional resilience.

Sensory Processing Support

Understanding sensory differences and identifying practical environmental adaptations and coping strategies that reduce sensory overwhelm and improve participation in everyday life.

Neurodiversity Support

Helping children and young people understand their autism or ADHD diagnosis, recognise their strengths, develop self-advocacy skills and build a positive sense of identity.

Practical Support

Psychological support often extends beyond therapy sessions. Where appropriate, we can also assist with:

• Reasonable adjustments for education
• Recommendations for schools and colleges
• Sensory and environmental adaptations
• Advocacy and professional liaison
• Safety planning
• Parent guidance and psychoeducation
• Strategies to support everyday functioning

Our Philosophy

We believe that therapy should never focus on changing who a child is.

Instead, we aim to reduce distress, build confidence, increase understanding and create environments where children and young people can thrive whilst remaining authentically themselves.

Every child deserves to feel understood, accepted and empowered to reach their potential.