Pre-assessment support

Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways. There is no "right" way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and these differences are not viewed as deficits.

• A good book recommendation is ‘NeuroTribes’ by Steve Silberman
• Neurodevelopmental Support - a Padlet with lots of Wigan based Neurodiversity help and support
• ADHD Foundation Resource Hub
• Tourettes Action - the leading support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome and their families
• British Dyslexia Association
• ND Matters
• Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) autism drop-in group sessions

The Equality Act 2010 says changes or adjustments should be made to ensure that a disabled person is not disadvantaged in their job. Even if you don’t have a diagnosis yet, some employers may be helpful in making reasonable adjustments for you. The following links are tips for disclosing your diagnosis and help with reasonable adjustments.

Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged within their work setting.

• Top five autism tips: employment - disclosing your diagnosis
• Top autism tips: employment - reasonable adjustments
• Legal protections and reasonable adjustments
• Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition
• Reasonable Adjustments - Adjustments in the workplace for individuals with ADHD
• Reasonable Adjustments - Neurodiversity

Quiet times in local supermarkets and cinemas

• Asda: 14:00-15:00 Monday to Thursday
• Grande Arcade (Wigan): 9-10am Monday, Wednesday and Friday 
• Spinning Gate Shopping Centre (Leigh): Music free Mondays 9-5:30pm

Finding ways to support our well being and emotional health is important. Below are some resources which can assist with this. 

• Daylio - Journal, diary and mood tracker
• Calm Harm
• Headspace
• The Mix
• Kooth
• Brain in Hand
• Molehill Mountain
• Miracle Modus
• The Emotional Toolbox
• Ambitious about Autism - Physical and mental wellbeing
• Wigan THRIVE - a Padlet with many resources for support and information in Wigan

• NHS 111 - if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or something that makes you feel severely unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact your local crisis service by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option (option 2).
• Samaritans - call 116 123 (freephone) if you need to talk to someone urgently about how you are feeling. You can also email jo@samaritans.org  or visit the Samaritans website.
• The Mental Health Support Hub - a safe, supportive environment for you to access during your time of distress. It is open seven days a week from 3.30pm to 11pm at the Lea Baker Café at Atherleigh Park, Atherleigh Way, Leigh.
• Shout text service - to obtain support, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
• Papyrus (Hopeline UK) - call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - call 0800 58 58 58, live chat online or WhatsApp. Open from 5pm – midnight every day. Can be used by those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts, carers who are concerned for others or those bereaved by suicide.
• Routine mental health support - for routine mental health support, contact your GP.

Practical support and strategies can be helpful for managing everyday stressors.

• Goblin Tools - a collection of small, simple, single-task tools, to help people with tasks they find overwhelming or difficult.
• Sensory differences advice
• Apps For Neurodivergent Students - helps with organisation and routine
• Sweepy - Home cleaning schedule
• ADHD Tools
• Making Sense – A Guide to Living with Adult ADHD (PDF)

• Carers assessment information - Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre offers information and guidance on carers assessments. 
• Wigan Parent Carer Forum (WPCF) - an independent group of parent/carers of children and young people who have special educational needs and disability (SEND) and live in Wigan Borough. They work with Wigan Council to reflect the needs of parent carers. Please visit the Wigan Parent Carer Forum website or the Wigan Parent Carer Forum Facebook for more information. If you wish to contact them then call on 01942 939668 or email admin@wiganpcf.org.uk
• Support for carers - help and advice if you look after others on the Wigan Council website
• Helping someone else - it can be really worrying when someone you care about is going through a difficult time. Mind have advice to help you support other people - and to look after your own wellbeing too.
• Social care assessment - refer someone for an assessment of their social care needs by calling 01942 828777 or completing an online form: Refer someone for an assessment of care and support. If you have safeguarding concerns for a young person or child, contact the children’s central duty team on 01942 828300. If you have safeguarding concerns about a young person or vulnerable adult contact the adult central duty team on 01942 828777.
• Family Hubs - operate as a network of services within your neighbourhood to provide accessible and connected services and support to all families.

• BeyondAutism – Engagement and communication
• New research and free guide: how to adapt mental health talking therapies for autistic children and adults
• National Autistic Society – has many years of lived and practitioner experience in developing and delivering courses on autism. They offer standard training courses, bespoke training solutions and e-learning. 
• Top tips making appointments neurodiverse friendly
• Employing autistic people - information for employers on hiring and supporting autistic employees.
• The Oliver Magowan training is the recommended Learning Disability and Autism training for all health and social care staff. This can be accessed via your organisation.
• Autism awareness level 1 training – this online course is available to all Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) staff via the Learning Hub.