Children with ADHD and their families may need support in different ways. Whatever best helps, you can find out more about it in this section of our site. There are links to organisations that offer advice and practical support, as well as useful websites and directories that will signpost you to more help.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please let us know via our feedback form.
Online information and guidance
National NHS website – ADHD information
The national NHS website includes information on the symptoms of ADHD, as well as advice about diagnosis, treatment, and living with ADHD.
Children and young people with ADHD – advice and support pack
This useful guide from Dorset’s Child Development Centre provides a general overview of ADHD and characteristics that people with ADHD have, as well as strategies that may help at home.
ADHD UK – about ADHD
The ADHD UK website provides information, videos and animations to help people understand more about ADHD in children and young people.
Young Minds – guide for parents
The Young Minds website includes a guide for parents on supporting a child or young person with ADHD.
ADHD Foundation – services for families
The ADHD Foundation is a national charity that provides a range of services and support to families.
NICE guidelines – ADHD diagnosis and management
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the diagnosis and management of ADHD gives a useful clinical overview of the condition, as well as information and resources for families.
Understanding ADHD
The Understanding ADHD section of this website includes information on topics including ADHD traits, the diagnosis process and living with ADHD.
Online information and guidance
These websites and online resources provide helpful information on a wide range of topics linked to ADHD in children.
National NHS website – ADHD information
The national NHS website includes information on the symptoms of ADHD, as well as advice about diagnosis, treatment, and living with ADHD.
Children and young people with ADHD – advice and support pack
This useful guide from Dorset’s Child Development Centre provides a general overview of ADHD and characteristics that people with ADHD have, as well as strategies that may help at home.
ADHD UK – about ADHD
The ADHD UK website provides information, videos and animations to help people understand more about ADHD in children and young people.
Young Minds – guide for parents
The Young Minds website includes a guide for parents on supporting a child or young person with ADHD.
ADHD Foundation – services for families
The ADHD Foundation is a national charity that provides a range of services and support to families.
NICE guidelines – ADHD diagnosis and management
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on the diagnosis and management of ADHD gives a useful clinical overview of the condition, as well as information and resources for families.
Understanding ADHD
The Understanding ADHD section of this website includes information on topics including ADHD traits, the diagnosis process and living with ADHD.
Local organisations
Local Offer websites
The two councils’ Local Offer websites include information and links to a wide range of services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which can include ADHD. There are separate Local Offer websites for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.
SENDIass
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offers free, confidential support to families who have children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. There are separate SENDIASS services for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC)
DPCC is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the Dorset Council area. The DPCC’s aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families. You can also contact them for help or advice if you are worried about your child.
Parent Carers Together (PCT)
PCT is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the BCP Council area. PCT gathers the views of local families and works in partnership with local organisations to highlight what is working well or challenge when changes need to be made. PCT also organises groups and workshops for families in the BCP area.
Local organisations
In Dorset, there are a range of organisations that can provide advice to families with children living with ADHD.
Local Offer websites
The two councils’ Local Offer websites include information and links to a wide range of services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which can include ADHD. There are separate Local Offer websites for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.
SENDIass
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) offers free, confidential support to families who have children and young people aged 0-25 with SEND. There are separate SENDIASS services for the BCP Council and Dorset Council area.
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC)
DPCC is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the Dorset Council area. The DPCC’s aim is to make sure the services in their area meet the needs of disabled children and their families. You can also contact them for help or advice if you are worried about your child.
Parent Carers Together (PCT)
PCT is the parent carer forum for parents and carers of children and young people (0-25 years) with SEND in the BCP Council area. PCT gathers the views of local families and works in partnership with local organisations to highlight what is working well or challenge when changes need to be made. PCT also organises groups and workshops for families in the BCP area.
Support in education
Every child is different, and the level and type of support they need will vary.
Local Offer websites – education and learning support
The Local Offer websites include a wide range information on support for children and young people in education:
- Dorset Council – Education and learning
- BCP Council – Early education
- BCP Council – Schools and learning
Guide to supporting your child’s special educational needs
This guide explains the support ordinarily available in Dorset education settings, from early years settings to post-16 providers, if a child or young person needs more help to achieve their potential.
Support in education
Some children and young people living with ADHD may need additional support and strategies to help them fulfil their potential.
Every child is different, and the level and type of support they need will vary.
Local Offer websites – education and learning support
The Local Offer websites include a wide range information on support for children and young people in education:
- Dorset Council – Education and learning
- BCP Council – Early education
- BCP Council – Schools and learning
Guide to supporting your child’s special educational needs
This guide explains the support ordinarily available in Dorset education settings, from early years settings to post-16 providers, if a child or young person needs more help to achieve their potential.
Peer support
Peer support can be accessed via groups, networks and activities in the local community. It can provide a non-judgmental, safe space that allows people to connect with others, speak openly, and share advice and suggestions
Local Offer websites
The councils’ Local Offer websites provide information about local support groups and activities:
- Dorset Council SEND Local Offer – support networks
- BCP Council SEND Local Offer – Services providing support, information and advice
SENDiass
SENDiass can provide information about peer-to-peer groups, drop-in events and activities taking place in your local area:
Dorset Parent Carer Foundation (BCP Council area)
The Dorset Parent Carer Foundation is an independent, diverse charity for parents and carers of children with SEND. The charity holds weekly workshops on useful topics, as well as regular coffee mornings and additional network opportunities for parents and carers.
Divas and Dudes (Dorset Council area)
Divas and Dudes is an inclusive youth and parenting group supporting neurodiversity, which meets once a month in Poundbury, West Dorset.
ADHD Embrace
ADHD Embrace is a London-based charity but provides a range of online support for parents and carers of children with ADHD, including a Facebook group, online seminars and post-diagnosis workshops.
Netmums – children with ADHD
Netmums includes an online forum for families of children with ADHD.
Dorset Youth – Activity Finder
This searchable directory includes details on a wide range of groups and activities for young people, and allows users to search by support type, including ‘SEND/neurodiverse’.
Peer support
Peer support is when people with shared experiences support one another in a variety of different ways. Children with ADHD and their families may benefit from peer support.
Peer support can be accessed via groups, networks and activities in the local community. It can provide a non-judgmental, safe space that allows people to connect with others, speak openly, and share advice and suggestions
Local Offer websites
The councils’ Local Offer websites provide information about local support groups and activities:
- Dorset Council SEND Local Offer – support networks
- BCP Council SEND Local Offer – services providing support, information and advice
SENDiass
SENDiass can provide information about peer-to-peer groups, drop-in events and activities taking place in your local area:
Dorset Parent Carer Foundation (BCP Council area)
The Dorset Parent Carer Foundation is an independent, diverse charity for parents and carers of children with SEND. The charity holds weekly workshops on useful topics, as well as regular coffee mornings and additional network opportunities for parents and carers.
Divas and Dudes (Dorset Council area)
Divas and Dudes is an inclusive youth and parenting group supporting neurodiversity, which meets once a month in Poundbury, West Dorset.
ADHD Embrace
ADHD Embrace is a London-based charity but provides a range of online support for parents and carers of children with ADHD, including a Facebook group, online seminars and post-diagnosis workshops.
Netmums – children with ADHD
Netmums includes an online forum for families of children with ADHD.
Dorset Youth – Activity Finder
This searchable directory includes details on a wide range of groups and activities for young people, and allows users to search by support type, including ‘SEND/neurodiverse’.
Advocacy and opportunities to have your say
There are many different aspects to advocacy, from informal peer support through to community organisations offering free support and focused, regulated and supervised advocacy. There are also a range of ways for young people and families to have their say about services and support.
South West Advocacy Network (SWAN)
SWAN provides advocacy services to people from across Dorset and can offer help to autistic people who may need support.
Tel: 0333 447928
Parent carer forums
Parent carer forums represent parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and offer a range of opportunities to get involved and have your say.
Dorset Council area
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC): www.dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk
BCP Council area
Parent Carers Together (PCT): www.parentcarerstogether.org.uk
Advocacy and opportunities to have your say
Advocacy services can help to give children with ADHD and their families a voice, as well as providing support in difficult situations.
There are many different aspects to advocacy, from informal peer support through to community organisations offering free support and focused, regulated and supervised advocacy. There are also a range of ways for young people and families to have their say about services and support.
South West Advocacy Network (SWAN)
SWAN provides advocacy services to people from across Dorset and can offer help to autistic people who may need support.
Tel: 0333 447928
Parent carer forums
Parent carer forums represent parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and offer a range of opportunities to get involved and have your say.
Dorset Council area
Dorset Parent Carer Council (DPCC): www.dorsetparentcarercouncil.co.uk
BCP Council area
Parent Carers Together (PCT): www.parentcarerstogether.org.uk
Emotional health and wellbeing
It is estimated that emotional dysregulation affects around 1 in 3 children with ADHD. Children and young people with ADHD may therefore need additional support to manage their emotional wellbeing, and people with ADHD can be more likely to experience mental health difficulties such as anxiety.
Directory of mental health support for young people
The Dorset Youth website includes information about organisations that provide mental health support to young people in Dorset.
24/7 support if you need to talk
If you are struggling and need to talk, these free services are available at any time, day or night, whatever age you are:
- Call Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline Connection on 0800 652 0190
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support via text message
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123, however big or small the problem
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
In some cases, children and young people with ADHD who are experiencing mental health difficulties may be supported CAMHS.
More information on mental health and wellbeing
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing for neurodivergent people in our section on mental health and neurodiversity.
Emotional health and wellbeing
ADHD is not a mental health condition. However, children and young people with ADHD may need support with their emotional health just like others do.
It is estimated that emotional dysregulation affects around 1 in 3 children with ADHD. Children and young people with ADHD may therefore need additional support to manage their emotional wellbeing, and people with ADHD can be more likely to experience mental health difficulties such as anxiety.
Directory of mental health support for young people
The Dorset Youth website includes information about organisations that provide mental health support to young people in Dorset.
24/7 support if you need to talk
If you are struggling and need to talk, these free services are available at any time, day or night, whatever age you are:
- Call Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline Connection on 0800 652 0190
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support via text message
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123, however big or small the problem
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
In some cases, children and young people with ADHD who are experiencing mental health difficulties may be supported CAMHS.
More information on mental health and wellbeing
Learn more about mental health and wellbeing for neurodivergent people in our section on mental health and neurodiversity.
Assessment and diagnosis
Find out more about ADHD assessments in Dorset, including different assessment routes and the diagnosis process.
More helpful information
Support for young people with ADHD
Online networks, peer support, emotional health, preparing for adulthood and more
Groups and activities, peer support, local charities, educational support and more for families with autistic children
Digital tools, sensory resources and practical aids that may help neurodivergent people in different ways
