South Wales Autism Assessments

03/09/2025

https://myautismassessment.co.uk/services/

01/09/2025

Today, on the day of Hefin David’s funeral, we remember and honour his life of service, to his family, to Caerphilly, and to the people of Wales.

Hefin was a proud Welshman, deeply rooted in the valleys and proud to represent the community he loved. He served with unwavering commitment to bring people together to solve problems, always seeking to unite around his belief that we achieve more together than alone – regardless of political persuasion.

He was a strong, well respected voice in the Senedd, never hesitating to demand the best for his constituents and for Wales, particularly on issues such as additional learning needs, estate management charges and transport.

More than politics, Hefin will be remembered as a devoted family man. His love for his daughters, his partner Vikki, and his wider family shone through in everything he did. To those who knew him, he was not only a colleague but a kind and thoughtful friend.

Hefin’s passing is a huge loss to Welsh Labour and to Wales, but his legacy of service, principle and humanity will live on.

31/08/2025

There are still spots available for our two-part online course here to support parents, carers, and family members of PDAers and explore tailored approaches that work best for them: https://ow.ly/uPqO50Wvak9

This course offers a welcoming and flexible environment where you can participate however feels right - whether that’s chatting, asking questions, or simply listening with your camera off.

Can’t make this date? Check our website for additional sessions.

For any questions, feel free to email us at training.support@pdasociety.org.uk

31/08/2025

⭐ Autism & Teenagers, with Melissa Hutchings of ASD Family Help - Pembrokeshire
📅 Thursday 18th September 2025
🕙 10:00am–12:00pm

Click here to sign up for our next free virtual advice session for Parents & Carers: https://neurodivergencewales.org/en/parents-carers/information-for-parents-carers/parents-and-carers-virtual-advice-sessions/

31/08/2025

30/08/2025

Emetophobia

Emetophobia is avoiding certain foods.
Emetaphobia is checking hygiene ratings.
Emetophobia is always questioning if something is safe to eat.
Emetophobia is a constant state of anxiety.
Emetophobia is invisible (but you see my reaction).
Emetophobia is not letting people sit behind me.
Emetophobia is avoiding certain restaurants.
Emetophobia is a fear of flying.
Emetophobia is a fear of coaches.
Emetophobia is riffling through the fridge looking at best before dates.
Emetophobia is not entering rooms or floors in our house where people may have been sick.
Emetophobia is debilitating.
Emetophobia is limiting.
Emetophobia is controlling what she has left to control.
Emetophobia is hard for others to understand.
Emetophobia is like sitting in a room of snakes / spiders 24/7.
Emetophobia is the reason she struggles with school.

29/08/2025

🗞A new study suggests the majority of autistic people over the age of 40 in the UK are living without a diagnosis.

Catch up on this story and more in our roundup of this morning's headlines 👇
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/your-roundup-of-this-mornings-headlines-in-wales-on-friday-29th-august/1l8tm15

27/08/2025

Another academic year

Another academic year where 3 of our 4 children head off to school and our eldest may not.

Another academic year where we go out and purchase new school year coats; shoes and bags that may not cross the front door of a school.

Another academic year where our friends post pictures of their children in their school uniform, contrasting before and afters and showing how much they have grown up.

Another academic year where we try our damn hardest to advocate for our child and explain how we are "trying our hardest" to encourage them.

Another academic year where we have to be ever-so-thankful for the measly 1-2 hours per day of education we are provided with, all via an online medium that our eldest struggles to attend.

Another academic year where we hope that our Local Authority respect and appreciate that our child's AuDHD and Emetephobia directly impact on their ability to access traditional education and are in fact additional learning needs.

Another academic year where we have prioritised the long term impact of our child's mental health over forcing them into an education system that doesn't work for them.

If any of this resonates with you trust me when I say you are doing your very best to be an incredible parent / guardian.

26/08/2025

🌟 Back to School – Supporting Transitions 🌟

The return to school can bring mixed feelings for many children – excitement, nerves, and everything in between. For neurodivergent children, it can be particularly challenging, especially with big transitions such as moving from primary to secondary school.

A few tips that may help:

✨ Prepare as much as possible – practice new journeys, organise equipment, and talk through what to expect.
✨ Relax on the things that don’t matter as much – save energy for what really does.
✨ Give space and time to decompress when they get home.
✨ Take time to listen and validate feelings – small worries can feel huge in new environments.

You may notice the “Coke bottle effect” when your child gets home – all the effort of holding things together in a new setting can spill out once they’re back in their safe space. This is completely normal.

If you’d like a chance to troubleshoot or talk through strategies, we’re here to help. For our recent clients, we may also be able to support with letters around reasonable adjustments such as uniform flexibility.

You’re not alone – please do reach out if you need support.