This page is for parents who feel concerned about an aspect of their child’s development. If you’re worried about your child’s development – try not panic. All children develop differently, and differences do not always have to be a problem. However, if you do have concerns, please speak to us so that we can work together to support your child as they grown and learn. And so that we can track the supports you and your child access to build the best picture of the strategies that work and don’t work as well as about their development. If, over time, this builds a picture of a child who may need support beyond those available to all families, we will make a request for assistance from the Fife Neurodevelopmental Pathway. More information is here: fife-neurodevelopmental-pathway-parent-carer-leaflet.pdf
We only make a request for assistance to the pathway for those children whose families have already accessed universal supports. A request for assistance to the pathway does not necessarily mean that your child will be given a diagnosis, it will give you access to more targeted supports and this might include an identification of a neurodevelopmental condition.
The information on this page is for all families and the supports are universal (available to all).
Background
Neurodevelopment is about the way the brain develops and how it
works in our everyday life. Everyone’s brain develops slightly
differently – this is part of what makes us unique and gives each of
us different strengths.
Many children and young people, including those with neurodevelopmental differences, get all the help and support they need from their parents/carers, wider family, school, and community. In Fife, support is based on need, not on having a diagnosis. Your child should have access to the support they need, if you and the people working with your child think they may be useful. All of the supports available are listed here but please do come to school to share you concerns before accessing these resources so that we can make an early note of your concerns and so that we can share our observations with you as well.
Seeking advice about Neurodevelopmental Difficulties
Any parent can seek help and advice from a clinician by contacting the Parent/Carer Neurodevelopmental Advice Line on 01592 226699 The clinician will help you explore what practical advice and
support would make the biggest difference to you and you
family. The advice line is open on Tuesdays 10am-12noon
and Wednesdays 2pm-4pm
Seeking advice about speech development or about language/comprehension development
Parents who have concerns about their child’s speech or language development should discuss it with us at school but you can also seek help from the NHS Speech and Language Team. You can call this advice line:
Click here for full details of Fife NHS Speech and Language Team.
Seeking help about physical development or sensory issues
Parents who have concerns about their child’s physical development or sensory issues should discuss it with us at school but you can also seek help from Fife NHS’s Occupational Therapy Service.
Click here for full details of Fife NHS Occupational Therapy Service. And click here for access to advice notes.
Seeking Support with Sleep
If you have concerns about your child’s sleep, you can access 10 Tips for better sleep for your child here. If you have tried these and it hasn’t worked, you can self refer for individual support here.
Seeking Support with Mood or Self-Esteem
Parents who have concerns about their child’s self-esteem or mood can access resources here.
The One Stop Shop for Autism
One Stop Shop supports hundreds of people from across Fife every year on a range of issues such as emotional support, help understanding an autism diagnosis and transitions. Providing advice and support to autistic people, their families, friends, and other professionals. Funded by Fife Health and Social Care Partnership we have a dedicated team of autism advisors who are experienced and knowledgeable in working alongside autistic people to ensure their voice is heard, and they can access to the right help and support when it is needed most. Your child does not need a diagnosis for you to access support from the One Stop Shop .
Some of the services the One Stop Shop Offers include:
- Advice and Information Service – Available by Phone or Email
- One-to-one appointments
- Peer Support Groups
- Support for Transitions
- Social Activities
- Support and advice to access services in the community
- Parent groups
- Information and advice for professionals
Click here for more information.
Parenting Supports
There are a range of courses you can access without your child having a diagnosis:
Understanding Kids online course for parents of primary aged children who would like to learn more about their child’s development and behaviour: Click here to find out more and sign up
PADD online course for parents of nursery aged children with concerns about their development: Click here to find out more and sign up
Embracing Difference online course for parents of primary aged children who recognise signs of neurodiversity in their child: Click here to find out more and sign up
Parenting an Anxious Child online course for parents of primary aged children : Click here to find out more and sign up
Online Course for parents to do with their child aged 8-11 to develop strategies to tackle anxiety: Click here to find out more and sign up
Parents who have tried these universal supports should continue to discuss their concerns with us in school but you can seek advice from Fife Council’s Educational Psychology Service. Click here for full details.
