For Emma Lee and her seven-year-old son Eddie, attending a NEAS toddler group was the ‘first step onto a remarkable journey.’
Emma, from Sunderland, searched online for support just after Eddie’s autism diagnosis, and felt ‘completely lost’ before her aunts and uncle found the toddler group running nearby in Washington.
“We didn’t know what was out there, what support we needed and how to go about accessing the support. We were left in limbo,” Emma says.
“People didn’t understand our struggles, or Eddie’s struggles,” she adds.
Eddie was just two-years-old when he started attending toddler groups, taken weekly by his aunts and uncle, and the support soon made a positive impact on the family.
Emma says: “The group and the support given was a lifeline to Eddie and our family. From applying for EHCPs, funding, the local offer, social stories, and what else is available. We didn’t feel alone.
"Eddie made friends, and we didn’t feel judged at the group. We could relax for a couple of hours a week."
The group became a familiar space for Eddie, helping him form social connections, and staff also put Emma on the pathway to getting the correct support put in place for him.
More than three years on, the family still feels the positive effects of having early support available for Eddie.
Emma says: “I wouldn’t have the knowledge that I have now, especially in regards for the EHCP process.
"It gave Eddie the tools and confidence to make friends, and for me in general it was about acceptance and adapting."
After moving on from the toddler groups, Emma still uses the free resources provided by NEAS’ Family Development team online, covering topics such as strategies for parents, sensory needs, and sleep.
“I still access NEAS’ website for help and advice, and Becca has mentioned in the past to get in touch if I need anything.” says Emma.
“The group was our first step onto a remarkable journey, and we will forever be thankful.”
