We hope you and your families had a good summer and that everybody is refreshed after the break and ready for the new school year. Our kids all react differently when faced with returning to school: some are excited to see classmates again or the fact that they are going to a new school, others may need more encouragement to embrace going back to school as they may have experienced challenges. We know transitions or changes in routine are often difficult for kids with ADHD and to this end, we are re-sharing the pieces we wrote last year on returning to school. Originally written following the end of lockdown, the majority of the content applies equally after a long summer break. Here is the link to the advice and guidance for parents and for teachers. We hope your kids settle in soon to the new school year!
We're pleased to announce that we are starting to offer more in-person events. We are planning a blended model with some events running face-to-face and some virtually. Our next seminar on Social Communication and ADHD will be led by Cassie Yates of Knots Arts and will take place at Heatham House. We'll be following Covid protocols with hand sanitiser available, encouraging masks to be worn when entering and leaving the room and widely spaced seating. In order to ensure we manage the numbers with social distancing, please book in the usual way here. We are also doing our September Meet up with a walk and chat. We held a similar event in July and it was great to meet in person again and to share experiences as a community.
We have a great six-week parenting course starting in September, run by parenting expert and former teacher Noël Janis Norton. We have been able to offer this at a heavily discounted rate thanks to funding we received from the National Lottery. Our Post diagnosis workshops have now been extended so that in addition to our usual ones for Richmond and Kingston families, we are running new ones for parents who live in neighbouring Boroughs. And you can also book a session at our 1:1 Advice clinic for Richmond and Kingston families here.
We're also thrilled that we have seven runners participating in the Kew 10K on 11 September and raising funds for us. We wish them well for this fun event - please see below how you can support our runners with a donation.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events soon,
Best wishes, the ADHD R and K team
Seminars
Social communication and ADHD
September 14th, 8pm - Twickenham
Cassie Yates, Director and facilitator at Knots Arts will present at Heatham House on the topic of Social Communication and ADHD, with insights and practical advice for parents and professionals. Her presentation will cover:
· Social communication and making friends
· Support and strategies for making and maintaining friendships
· Practical strategies for building social communication skills with young people with ADHD
We are running two streams – one for parents of primary age kids and one for parents of teens.
Wednesdays, 8pm, starting 15th Sept - parents of primary age children
Thursdays, 8pm starting 16th Sept - parents of teenagers
What’s happening at ADHD R and K
Thank you to our Kew 10k runners
SEN talk is launching a new youth club, taking place in Battersea on Tuesdays 6-8pm for 13-16 year olds featuring sports, video games, cooking, workshops and more. Click here for more details.
Activity Station in Barnes is recommencing its face to face activities as well as continuing to offer some online sessions.
Find out more about local youth clubs in the Richmond and Kingston boroughs here.
Ruils is launching a new SEND transitions service- Bright Futures designed to support Richmond families with transitions to adulthood. They will be running an event on Tuesday 21st Sept 11am - 1pm with a chance to meet professionals and other parents at St Peter and St Paul Church, Teddington. Click here to book.