Embedded Files
SEND Questionnaire
SEND Questionnaire
If your child is on our SEND register, we would be grateful if you would complete the following feedback questionnaire.
Thank you for helping us develop our SEND provision:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPBim43JBraBHOm5nchKuKyiO-eeTEGfeYoKzZUbkHSk6GPg/viewform
Check out what's happening at Skylarks this term
Check out what's happening at Skylarks this term
Skylarks is an independent Richmond upon Thames-based charity that provides activities and therapies for children with disabilities and additional needs based at the Crossway Centre in Richmond. Please click on this link for more information and to make bookings. info@skylarks.charity
Coping with Christmas
Coping with Christmas
With the help of readers of Your Autism Magazine, we have compiled a list of tips that may help you through the festive period.
Preparing
Preparing
An autistic person can find any kind of change difficult. You could:
use a calendar or visual timetable to prepare for Christmas, for specific events, to highlight school days and home days, or the night when Nana is coming to sleep
talk about Christmas time and what this means for your family
make a booklet about Christmas with pictures of Christmas trees, decorations and Christmas food. Consider that, if your family member takes things very literally, they may become anxious if your Christmas does not appear exactly as the pictures
liaise with school or college so that the same strategies and visual supports are used as at home, and so that Christmas preparation is started at the same time
prepare the person for specific events, eg by showing them a photo of a man dressed as Father Christmas
encourage younger autistic children to share their concerns about Christmas by using worry toy or try to help them by using a relaxation book.
Schedules
Schedules
Many autistic people have a strong need for routine. You could:
keep the daily schedule the same as far as possible, including on Christmas Day
incorporate a Christmas activity that they enjoy into their daily schedule, eg opening the advent calendar, or switching on the tree lights
give them some Christmas-free time on their daily schedule - this could help you to observe anxiety levels and make any adaptations for the rest of the day
give them quiet time with a favourite activity in a Christmas-free zone at key moments that may be stressful, such as when other people are opening their presents.
Decorations
Decorations
Many autistic people will have differing sensory needs, returning home to find a tree with flashing lights could be a bit of a shock. You could:
involve the person in changes to the house, eg take them shopping for decorations, let them handle decorations, let them see decorations being hung up, or let them help putting them up
consider decorating gradually, eg you could put the Christmas tree in position, decorate it the next day, then put up other decorations even later
keep things that might overload them away from communal areas, eg flashing Christmas lights could go in bedrooms rather than the living room.
Presents
Presents
Having a large number of presents could be overwhelming. You could:
set a limit on the number of presents, eg one from mum and dad and one from grandparents - other family members could perhaps give money
introduce presents one by one, instead of all at once
put out a present next to a favourite item (eg a new toy next to a favourite toy)
leave their presents unwrapped unless they like the sensation of unwrapping.
Getting support
Getting support
Get support from friends and family, eg a grandparent could watch your child doing a favourite activity while you help your other children to decorate.
Get ideas from other families, and share your tips with them, in our Community.
Source: The National Autistic Society (2017)
Three opportunities to see Santa this Christmas!
Three opportunities to see Santa this Christmas!
We are delighted to offer our families the chance to see Father Christmas in different environments this December. We make Santa accessible, in a relaxed setting, without any pressure on your children. We have 3 opportunities to see Santa: in Twickenham, Hounslow and Kingston!
Please follow our Fair Access Policy:
Please only book your children into ONE of our Santa events this Christmas to allow others to see Father Christmas too
If you book more than one event, we will unfortunately have to cancel one of your bookings, but we will always try to contact you first.
If your child is seeing Santa elsewhere, please allow other families to book first.
Santa’s Grotto in Twickenham
Come to our Christmas stay and play, enjoy a sensory story and fun - and see Santa too!
Next Tuesday 9th December, 3.30 - 5pm
The Crossway Centre, Twickenham
Santa’s Grotto in Hounslow
Come to our Christmas stay and play, enjoy music and fun - and see Santa too!
Tuesday 16th December, 3.30 - 5.30pm
Skylarks Hounslow
Santa’s Grotto in Kingston
We have been given exclusive access to a quiet session at Santa’s Grotto at Dorich House Museum in Kingston.
This Sunday 7th December, 12-1pm
Dorich House Museum, Kingston
‘Helping children with…’ Webinars for parents 2025/26
‘Helping children with…’ Webinars for parents 2025/26
Achieving for Children’s Mental Health Support Teams are delivering a series of webinars for parents of primary-aged children. The ‘Helping Children with …’ series of webinars will cover a range of common difficulties experienced by children and will aim to share evidence-based strategies to help parents and carers support their children with these difficulties. Below is a list of webinars on offer over the coming months.
Worries and anxiety
Worries and anxiety
The ‘Helping children with worries and anxiety’ webinar will help you learn ways to support your child in dealing with their big feelings, worries, and fears. This webinar will give you practical ideas on how to help your child to think more positively and develop their self confidence. You will also be introduced to some helpful cognitive behavioural therapy concepts.
Tuesday 20th January, 6pm
Friendship difficulties
Friendship difficulties
In this webinar we will learn how to support our children develop their friendship skills: learning to communicate better, repair difficulties, and negotiate solutions when relationships between peers are tricky.
Thursday 20th November, 9am or Tuesday 27th January, 6pm
Challenging behaviours
Challenging behaviours
Children often communicate their needs through their behaviours. The ‘Helping children with challenging behaviours’ webinar will help you to learn about the different factors that can impact children's behaviours, build or strengthen positive relationships by reinforcing the importance of giving positive attention. You will also learn strategies to establish home rules and boundaries to create a safe and structured environment for your children.
Tuesday 3rd February, 6pm
Digital wellbeing
Digital wellbeing
In this webinar we discuss the positive and negative impact of screen time and gaming on a child's mental wellbeing. We will share the recommendations for screen time based on age, how to have this conversation with your child in a positive and effective manner and a simple and effective way to manage the use of screens in your home.
Tuesday 13th January, 6pm
Self esteem
Self esteem
In this webinar we will explore what self-esteem is, how low self-esteem can develop and be maintained, and will introduce some practical techniques to support you to improve your child’s low self-esteem.
Thursday 27th November, 9am or Tuesday 10th February, 6pm
Transition to Secondary
Transition to Secondary
In this webinar we will explore the main worries children may experience when moving from primary to secondary school. We will help parents/carers think about the different ways to help to support and get their children prepared for the transition.
Thursday 7th May, 9am or Tuesday 19th May, 6pm
All Webinars are 60 minutes long, with 15 minutes at the end for questions and answers.
Parents and carers can sign up to the webinars here.
Information from the Mental Health Support Team (MHST): Making a Self Referral
Information from the Mental Health Support Team (MHST): Making a Self Referral
Who are we?
Who are we?
The Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is a schools-based service, supporting children, young people and parents’
emotional wellbeing in a range of ways.
Who do we support?
Who do we support?
We work with children and young people, from the age of
5 to 18, who experience difficulties with their emotional wellbeing and mental health. These can be common for lots of young people and might include sadness, feeling low, anxiety or low self-esteem.
In primary schools, we also offer parents individual guided self-help sessions based on cognitive behaviour therapy principles, either around supporting their child to manage anxiety, or behaviour that challenges.
Whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing
Whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing
In addition, we support schools and families with:
In addition, we support schools and families with:
● parent webinars on a range of topics
● coffee mornings based at your child’s school
● staff workshops and support
● group work, assemblies and workshops to promote
emotional wellbeing
To self-refer, please follow the link below to complete a short online form:
Mental Health Support - Self Referral - Achieving for Children
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