Family Autism ADHD Support
Child Under 5
Parenting is hard and comes with an array of challenges.Each child is unique and develops differently. However, I do believe in following your gut. You know your child best so if you feel that your child is displaying traits of autism and/or ADHD it can be scary knowing where to turn. There is an abundance of support out there so I have tried to keep it simple so you know the steps you need to follow to access the right support and move forward towards a diagnosis.
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Maybe you have not noticed anything at home or unaware of what to look for. Thats ok, its ok to reach out and seek advice or pop along to a support group and chat to other parents.
Maybe your child's setting has approached you and advised you to place your child on what they call the pathway. Please don't be scared. We are all here to support you and with the right help and guidance your child will thrive at school and as a family you can feel supported.
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So what are the traits / behaviours we are talking about? Check out the pages
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What To Do If Your Child Under 5 is Showing Signs of Autism
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It can feel worrying or overwhelming if you notice your child is developing differently from other children, or if you suspect signs of Autism in your child under 5. You're not alone — and early support can make a real difference.
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Possible Signs of Autism in Young Children
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Every child is unique, but some signs that may indicate Autism include:
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Limited eye contact or facial expressions
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Not responding to their name by 12 months
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Delayed speech or language skills
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Preferring to play alone
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Intense interests in particular toys or objects
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Unusual repetitive behaviours (e.g. hand-flapping, spinning)
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Strong reactions to sounds, textures, or lights
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Difficulty with changes in routine
Remember — some children may show these traits but not have Autism. Getting advice early can help you understand your child’s needs.
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What You Can Do Next
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1. Speak to Your Health Visitor
Your Health Visitor is your first port of call for developmental concerns in children under 5. They can:
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Complete a developmental check
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Offer advice and support at home
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Refer your child for further assessments if needed
📞 Contact your Health Visitor via your local Health Visiting Team:
🔗 Somerset Health Visiting Service​
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2. Talk to Your GP
If you're still concerned, book an appointment with your GP. The GP can:
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Check for other medical explanations for your child’s behaviour
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Refer to a Community Paediatrician or the Autism Assessment Team
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3. Contact Early Years Settings
If your child attends nursery, pre-school, or a childminder:
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Speak to their Key Person or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
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They can track your child’s development and provide early support strategies
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Settings can also make referrals to Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy if needed
4. Portage Service (for Children with Delays)
Somerset’s Portage Service offers home-visiting educational support for pre-school children with additional needs or developmental delays.
📩 Ask your Health Visitor or Early Years setting for a Portage referral
🔗 Portage Service Information
5. Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
If your child has limited speech, language, or social interaction skills, they can be referred to Speech and Language Therapy.
🔗 Speech and Language Therapy Somerset
6. Gather Observations
Keep a notebook or use an app to record:
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Examples of behaviours that concern you
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When and where they occur
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Any triggers or patterns you notice
This can be helpful for health professionals when making referrals or assessments.
Getting a Diagnosis
In Somerset, the Autism Assessment Pathway for under 5s is typically led by:
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Community Paediatricians
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Supported by Speech & Language Therapists and other professionals
Referrals for assessment are made by your Health Visitor, GP, or Early Years setting.
Support Even Without a Diagnosis
You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to get support:
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Ask for an Early Help Assessment via your Health Visitor or Early Years setting
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Contact Somerset SENDIAS for advice on nursery/school support
🔗 Somerset SENDIAS -
Join parent support groups like:
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Coffee, Chat & Support CIC – for peer advice and guidance
🔗 Coffee, Chat & Support Facebook page
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Further Resources
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Somerset Local Offer: Information on services for children with SEND
🔗 Somerset Local Offer -
NHS Information on Autism in Young Children
🔗 NHS Autism Guide -
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✅ Remember
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Trust your instincts — you know your child best
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Seek advice early
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Support is available whether or not your child has a formal diagnosis
SOGS Assessment
The Schedule of Growing Skills (SOGS) provides a rapid and reliable measure of child development through the assessment of nine key areas: Passive Posture, Active Posture, Locomotor, Manipulative, Visual, Hearing and Language, Speech and Language, Interactive Social and Self-Care Social.
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Your Health Visitor or nursery may perform a SOGS assessment. If your feel this is not happening you can request one yourself.
The Graduated Response Tool is a tool that helps schools identify barriers to learning and provide support for children and young people. It's a model of action that recognizes that children's needs vary, and that support should increase as needed.
A graduated response tool in preschool helps identify and support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It's a staged approach that provides support in stages.
If your child is under 5 check out Taunton Opportunity Group.Supporting families with babies and young children who have a wide range of special needs and disabilities. They run a weekly stay and play so you can meet other parents who may also be concerned regarding their child's development or may already have a diagnosis.
Not feeling listened too?
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School SENCO does not feel your child is displaying signs of autism or ADHD?
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Don't know where to turn?
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Check out these links to guide you to the right support or scroll down to find out how to request an assessment for a diagnosis yourself.
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RIGHT TO CHOOSE
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Need to request a diagnosis yourself? maybe your child does not attend a setting or maybe they don't agree . Check out the request an assessment template letter.​
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Maybe your Childs setting have placed your child on the neurodevelopmental pathway but you feel a diagnosis would benefit you and your family and you are not comfortable waiting the current waiting time. Once on the pathway you can approach your GP with a request for the RTC option. TIP: Do some research ( Check out the RTC Tab at the top of the page). Find a provider you feel would work best for you and your family, Print off and complete the relevant paper work and take along to your GP to sign .
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If you are based in England under the NHS you now have a legal right to choose your healthcare provider and this includes autism and adhd assessments. Under the Patient Choice framework, you have the legal right to choose who carries out your child's Autism and ADHD assessment. The provider doesn't have to be local to you, and you can make your choice based on waiting times, but the provider must be directly commissioned by an ICB to carry out that service. Check out the Right to Choose tab at the top of the page.
