The Neurodevelopmental Nursing team works with children aged 0-19, with a diagnosis, such as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Global Developmental Delay (GDD) Cerebral Palsy and children and young people, with learning disabilities and additional health needs.
Our service delivers holistic assessments, to determine the support families want to receive.
Clinics will be run from different areas with in Halton, and these can be done at the child’s home.
We work in close collaboration to manage behavioural issues, positive parenting support, sleep issues and assist in the diagnostic process of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for children and young people.
A detailed assessment is carried out in order to gain the information needed in order to plan the appropriate care. We support family’s post diagnosis, if required.
The team works closely with parents/carers and professionals supporting the child to develop a consistent approach.
In order to build the skills and capacity of parents and community health staff to work more effectively with the children, young people and families who use the service, the service will offer training, workshops and development opportunities to these groups.
What does the Neuro-developmental Nursing Team provide?
Children, Young People and their families can access expert knowledge in the following aspects:
- Information on Learning Disability, Autism, ADHD and Emotional Health and Wellbeing.
- Functional assessment of behaviour and advice on behavioural issues
- In depth assessment of sleep difficulties
- Promotion of health and wellbeing
- Advice on Relaxation techniques and low level anxiety
- Support for implementing strategies in the home such as structured timetables, symbols, social stories
- Individual parenting advice and support based on Stepping Stones, a specific parenting strategy for parents of children with a Neuro developmental condition.
- Management of Autism
- Management of ADHD
The service works in a variety of settings to deliver support as appropriate, integrating management strategies and techniques into daily life.
We aim to form a partnership with families and professionals, to support others, to maximise the child’s potential.
Parents are a significant member of the team who hold a unique insight into their child and whose contribution we value.
What is a challenging behaviour?
The most commonly used definition of challenging behaviour is:
“Behaviour of such an intensity, frequency and duration that the physical safety of the person or others is likely to be placed in serious jeopardy, or behaviour that is likely to seriously limit the use of, or result in the person being denied access to ordinary community facilities.” (Emerson 1995)
What is Autism?
“Autism is a lifelong disability which affects the way an individual relates to people, situations and their immediate environment. The term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often used because the impact of autism varies from person to person.”
(Department of Health)
“Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.”
(The National Autistic Society)
What is ADHD?
“Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
ADHD is a common behavioural disorder in children and young people. It usually starts in early childhood and some people will continue to have ADHD as adults. Severe ADHD is sometimes known as ‘hyperkinetic disorder’.
The symptoms of ADHD include being:
- inattentive – unable to concentrate for very long or finish a task, disorganised, often losing things, easily distracted and forgetful, unable to listen when people are talking
- hyperactive – fidgety and unable to sit still, restless (children may be running or climbing much of the time), talking constantly, noisy, having difficulty doing quiet activities
- Impulsive – speaking without thinking about the consequences, interrupting other people, unable to wait or take their turn.
Not all people with ADHD have all these symptoms, and everyone can be inattentive, hyperactive or impulsive some of the time, particularly children. But a person with ADHD has symptoms most of the time that can seriously affect their everyday life. They may also be clumsy, unable to sleep, have temper tantrums and mood swings and find it hard to socialise and make friends.”
Parenting support
This includes behavioural and sleep advice which a child/young person maybe experiencing.
We aim to provide proactive strategies, specific and tangible to implement at home using resources.
We aim to prevent problems in the family, school and community before they arise and to create family environments that encourage children to realise their potential.