Dr Sarah Mills

24/02/2026

Sunderland families: ARFID (Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) training session available. A common but under recognised pattern of disordered eating particularly for autistic children and young people. The right strategies and understanding can make such a difference when mealtimes no longer happen, eating becomes so limited —and anxiety provoking for parents and caregivers….

05/02/2026

A really well written piece on how girls can take longer to reach a diagnosis and the impact long term masking can have on emotional wellbeing and mental health (which affects boys too). Might be a useful read to validate some concerns for parents out there. We need better understanding from early years onwards about the subtle signs of autism but understanding that subtle doesn’t mean it’s not important.

https://apple.news/A4G5-8-4rS9-q74END2vU7Q

30/01/2026

Shout out to families with lived experience of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)…we want to ensure our diagnostic service is as good as it can be so please share your thoughts on the process of a diagnosis with us via the link…
Young People, Parents and Carers are welcome to share their thoughts. Many thanks

https://forms.gle/6mSygm9yvN5Uz9Nv5

28/01/2026

Fantastic new local face to face support group for families with autistic young people….

A five week, in person training course for parents and carers. These sessions will improve knowledge, build confidence, provide community and MORE!

19/12/2025

Little Christmas get together for some of the team today 🎄 I’m so privileged to work with a great group of people including these successful ladies. They are an inspiration 💕looking forward to working together to provide a great service to children, young people and their families in 2026 🤩

28/11/2025

Many of these children and young people will have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or other neurodivergence which is missed through lack of specialist services and support.
https://apple.news/Alb1d4sj5S7S0vdL_qdMlhA BBC News FASD Network UK National FASD

Families seeking help for their children’s complex needs describe threats of police action against them.

07/11/2025

Thinking about supporting autistic girls entering puberty this week and chatting to The Toby Henderson Trust found out about this helpful webinar in the new year. https://www.ttht.co.uk/event/persona-care-challenges/

I also had a nice time with Sarah, family support worker looking through their library for supportive books and have put a book list together which I’ll upload to my website https://www.drsarahmills.co.uk/support

18/10/2025

Parents and teachers often struggle with dealing with a child that confabulates (often seen as lies) and how to unpick what actually happened and why!

Confabulation happens when someone unconsciously fills in memory gaps with made-up or misinterpreted information, believing it to be true. It’s important to remember: this is not lying.

15/10/2025

Another great piece highlighting the importance of FASD recognition National FASD

06/10/2025

Catch Look North tonight 18.30 I’m talking about FASD. Great to be awareness raising with such a lovely team. BBC Look North

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw7g1zjwpeo

13/09/2025

We’ve had a creative afternoon in the clinic…children and young people might feel nervous before they arrive but it’s such a calm place with lots of activities to do it doesn’t take long for them to relax and enjoy their appointment.
It’s such a privilege to join families on their journey from understanding through diagnostic assessment to management and support.
Sometimes in the middle of a lot of difficult times it’s hard to believe but things can get better and I see it all the time.

20/08/2025

Two great clubs to watch out for from North East Autism Society. Specially designed structured social time for Young autistic people. One for the arty and one for the scientific…thanks for sharing these great flyers Kerrie!
Contact details on the poster to find out more and sign up to the next sessions - they are popular