This is a talking point published in the Hereford Times on October 24.

Katie Eastaugh, chief executive, the Cart Shed

THE Cart Shed has just begun to deliver a programme to support parents whose children are, or may be neurodivergent, by which we specifically mean they are autistic and or have ADHD.

With waiting lists for diagnosis extending to two or three years, parents can find themselves in a very lonely place or even in conflict with each other.

There are very real fears that society will judge you as a failed parent in some way for having a child that’s ‘not normal’.

For some children autism/ ADHD can be a profoundly disabling, particularly if there is a learning disability to manage as well.

For many children it leaves them with a sense of not being the same. Of not understanding why others treat them as they do, which in turn can lead to behaviours that express distress, such as aggression or shouting or complete withdrawal and becoming mute.

These feelings and experiences are then taken into adulthood leaving the individual at high risk of poor mental health and an expectation of 16 years of reduced life as a result.

Being a parent is one of the most challenging choices we make. Being a parent of a child who is or may be autistic/ADHD can be terrifying when home or school life become problematic.

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What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

You love your child, but nothing you say or do seems to be enough; or it makes situations worse. You reach out for help and experience a void… nothing…

What you do receive is judgement; whispers behind closed doors; meetings to discuss your child’s bad behaviour; exclusion and a profound sense of loneliness and isolation.

Different not Less is not a parenting class, we are not telling parents how they should raise their child. It is about understanding. Understanding themselves, their child, those around them. Learning how to ask for adaptations, sharing experiences and knowing they are not alone, bad or incapable, their child is different not less.