Chill + Chat: Mirfield charity relaunching monthly group for parents of neurodivergent children
A Mirfield charity is relaunching a monthly relaxed group for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people.
Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust has been running Chill + Chat in different forms for around eight years and has supported more than 100 parents during that time. The sessions combine a short talk around neurodivergence with time to chat, share experiences and access support from experienced practitioners from the Northorpe Lane based charity.
The first two sessions of the new academic year will focus on Spoon Theory, a simple way of thinking about energy and capacity, and they will take place at Northorpe Hall on Thursday, September 24, 6pm to 8pm, and on Monday, October 12, 10am to 12pm.
Specialist Autism Practitioner Rachel Thompson at the charity said: “There isn’t one right way to support a neurodivergent young person, and what works for one family might not work for another. It’s about finding what works for your family and knowing that you don’t have to do it alone.
“At Northorpe, we don’t believe supporting a young person should mean working with them in isolation. We believe it’s just as important to understand and support the people around them, which is why we work alongside families to understand what they need and find approaches that work for them.”
Northorpe Hall’s specialist practitioners have also shared some things parents and carers can keep in mind with the new school year underway:
- Give your young person time to adjust, a new school year can take time to settle into – for you as well as them.
- Create opportunities for them to talk about what is worrying them, but don’t pressure them to talk before they are ready.
- Look at what is underneath any unexpected behaviour, sometimes it’s a sign they are overwhelmed, anxious or struggling.
- Remember they may be using a lot of energy simply getting through the school day and may need time to rest and switch off when they get home.
- The start of a new school year can be tiring for parents and carers as well, so try to give yourself some time and space when you can.
Parents and carers can find out more and book in for a session at www.northorpe.com/chillandchat