Understanding neurodiversity can be life-changing

  • A place to help parents, carers and educators raise neurodivergent children
  • Over 200 parent and practitioner trusted resources and stories
  • Simple tools and recommendations to find what will help you
  • Free - no login required, NHS-supported
Let's start with the basics

Supporting neurodivergent children and young people and their families in Gwent

Created by the Gwent Neurodevelopmental Service and parents, this website brings together clear guidance, practical tools and trusted expertise for families and educators.

Every child’s needs are different. In Gwent, support is based on listening first, understanding what helps your child day-to-day, and working with families, schools and professionals to make meaningful changes.

How our needs-led approach works

Know the basics in 5 minutes

Every brain works differently – that’s neurodiversity. Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia (and everything in between) are just part of the same human spectrum. 

Understanding this simple idea helps you adapt home or school so your child feels seen, and life gets easier.

Understanding Neurodiversity

Areas you can focus on

Fourteen everyday topics where small changes can make a real difference at home, school or anywhere. Each one has short reads, videos, downloads and parent-tested tips to help you understand and adapt. Explore what works best for your children and family right now.​

A boy is enjoying balancing on a wooden fence outdoors

Attention, Energy and Impulse Control

Focus, waiting and sitting still grow slowly in every child’s brain. Spot patterns and try short tasks or movement breaks to make days smoother.

See Resources »
A man is practicing meditation on a yoga mat in the middle of a cosy-looking living room.

Carer Well-being and Resources

Looking after yourself isn’t selfish – it helps you support your child. This section includes ideas for looking after yourself and practical information to make your life easier.

See Resources »
Two brothers are sitting at a breakfast table. The older brother is pouring milk into a bowl for his younger brother

Eating

A nutritious and well-balanced diet is important. However, some children might show strong food preferences in relation to colour, texture, layout, and routines.

See Resources »
Little girl brushing teeth at the bathroom sink

Flexible Thinking & Executive Function

Switching ideas, planning ahead or waiting for a turn uses the brain’s “executive” skills. Build them gently with short games and visual cues to make changes and daily tasks less stressful.

See Resources »
A young boy is sat in adaptive seating equipment and playing with a sensory and motor development ball aid.

Motor Skills

Big moves (running) and small ones (buttons) build independence. Practical activities make dressing, writing or PE feel achievable.

See Resources »
A little girl is playing with sensory tray filled with rice and small eggs, as a sensory development exercise.

Sensory Needs

Sights, sounds, touch and movement affect us all differently. Meet sensory needs first to help your child feel calm enough to join in.

See Resources »
A father reads a bedtime story in a cozy bedroom. A mother cradling a baby is sat in bed next to her young teenage son listening to the story.

Sleep

Good rest sets everyone up for the day. This section includes ideas and practical strategies to help improve your child’s sleep.

See Resources »
Primary schoolboy and girls doing teamwork project in classroom

Social Interaction

Friendships, turn-taking and reading others take practice for everyone. Find gentle ways to make play and family time less overwhelming.

See Resources »
A mother or carer is sitting and teaching a young girl sign language

Speech and Language

Communication comes in words, gestures, pictures or behaviour – every way is valid. Explore simple tools to understand what your child is saying and help them feel heard.

See Resources »
Teenager with Downs Syndrome Sitting On Sofa Using Mobile Phone To Take Selfie At Home

Teenagers and Development into Adulthood

Puberty, relationships and future plans bring big changes. Clear stories and guides to talk openly and plan ahead.

See Resources »
Two toddler children with toothbrush standing by the toilet in the bathroom at home. Rear view.

Toileting

Every child reaches the toilet at their own pace. Spot stages and try calm, visual supports without pressure.

See Resources »
Child affectionately nuzzling a black Labrador dog

Understanding and managing emotions

Big feelings are normal; learning to calm down (regulation) is the first step to playing and learning. Discover how you can co-regulate together.

See Resources »
A toddler with a messy face holds his finger in his mouth

Understanding Behaviour

Every action is trying to tell you something. Look beneath the surface to meet the need, not just stop the behaviour.

See Resources »
Father Teaching Son with Down Syndrome to Play Ukulele Together at Home

Understanding Neurodiversity

Brains work in all sorts of ways – autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia / developmental co-ordination disorder are just differences, not problems to fix. Start here to see your child’s strengths and shift from “why won’t they?” to “how can we help?”.

See Resources »

Actions Speak! Mini-Series

Get into a better headspace by learning on the go or while crashed out on the sofa. Actions Speak is our mini video and podcast series all about neurodiversity.

Video and Podcast Series

When assessments help

Getting clarity on what your child is experiencing is vital, and an assessment might feel like the only solution. But assessments aren’t always needed. 

Here’s our guide to how assessments work, when they’re needed, and how our Needs-Led Approach works to help you quickly and effectively.

Read our Assessment Guide

Inspiring people and incredible minds

Real stories from Gwent families and beyond. Read about the small adaptations that opened up big possibilities. These parents share how understanding their child’s way of seeing the world changed everything, one step at a time.

Articles coming 16-20th March

A boy is enjoying balancing on a wooden fence outdoors

Vijay: "Knowing what the brain was trying to do was the break-through"

For some people, knowing the basic science of what is (and isn't) going on in the brain in the challenging moments is enough for people to approach situations more readily. Coming soon

Lucy with glasses in a relaxed interview talking about her daughter and using Roleplay to make morning Routines better.

Lucy: "Roleplay made our morning routine enjoyable"

A brief introduction from Lucy about how structured roleplay made their morning routine and tasks easy and enjoyable for her daughter. Coming soon

Mother called Louise speaking openly in an interview setting, indoors, about her son's sensory needs and movement needs.

Louise: "Movement breaks and strategies helped my son be calmer when needed"

The path to calm and concentration could only be taken with well-planned moving breaks for Louise's son, Lucas. Letting energy and stimulus have their moment helps the body and mind regulate. Coming soon

Speak to us

Neurodiversity Gwent offers information and guidance to support families, professionals and education settings. We can help you explore needs-led support and consider appropriate next steps.

We cannot provide diagnoses or individual clinical decisions through this contact, but we can help signpost information and services.

How to get in touch

  • ABB.NESH@wales.nhs.uk
How we work with you