How Aspens supports your family

Aspens is here to help families to care more confidently for individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC), a learning disability or complex needs. We welcome all family members, whether you are a parent, sibling, grandparent or friend of someone with a disability, of any age.

We understand that finding the right information and support can be hard, we are here to listen and offer advice.  We strive to increase understanding, challenge perceptions and encourage acceptance of autism spectrum condition, learning disabilities and other complex needs. We offer support before, during and after an ASC diagnosis.

We understand the challenges for individuals who do not yet have an autism diagnosis and how confusing things can be post diagnosis.  Our advice, guidance, signposting and support is on-going, for as long as a family wishes.

For further information call 01243 214120/ 07850 907358 or email [email protected]  

Online support

We offer online support for parents, carers and professionals who are living or working with someone who is on the autism spectrum, has learning disabilities or complex needs.

Talk to one of our experienced specialists via Live Chat . Our specialists are available at the following times:

MONDAY - 9:30-11:30am/  7:00-9:00pm; TUESDAY - 1:00-2:30pm; 6:00-7:30pm; WEDNESDAY - 9:00-11:00am/ 3:00-5:00pm; THURSDAY - 10:00am-12:00pm/ 3:30-5:00pm; FRIDAY - 9:00-11:00am/ 1:00-3:00pm

Face-to-face clinics

Aspens runs clinics where parents, carers and professionals who are living or working with someone who has autism spectrum condition, a learning disability or complex needs can drop in for a chat.  If you'd like to speak to someone face-to-face, book an appointment - our engagement officers will work with you to address your specific circumstances.

This service is currently commissioned by West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group. We are looking to secure further funding so we can offer more opportunities to people across Sussex and Kent.

If you would like a face to face clinic and live outside West Sussex we can book you into a virtual family clinic.  The cost for this 30 minutes consultation is £20.

Just call 01243 214120 or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

Sibling support

It can be tough for children and young people who are living with a sibling who has autism spectrum condition, a learning disability or complex needs.  Aspens' sibling groups are fun meet-ups that siblings come to so they can play games, share experiences, have their voices heard and get some friendly advice, when they need it, both from other siblings and from experienced Aspens staff.  

If you're worried about a child or young person who is sibling to a brother or sister with a disability, our specialist team can help. We offer 1-1 sibling clinics - home or in the community - to support self-esteem, increase knowledge and offer tactics and strategies to deal with the types of behaviours siblings sometimes encounter when living with a brother or sister with a disability.

Workshops for parents and carers

We run workshops for parents and carers living with someone who has autism spectrum condition, a learning disability or complex needs. The virtual sessions are delivered by our team of experienced Behaviour Specialists and aim to enable families and carers to develop their understanding of the conditions and issues experienced by their child or young adult.

We are pleased to offer the workshops at a heavily subsidised cost and the funds raised from running them helps us to develop our family support service and reach more families.

This autumn/winter we are running a series virtual 2 hour workshops on the following topics:

Anxiety and autism

Experiencing a high level of anxiety is a common difficulty for people on the autism spectrum. Research suggests that as many as 80% of people with autism spectrum conditions could be classed as having an anxiety disorder. This workshop aims to provide parents and carers with an understanding of what anxiety is, what causes anxiety, how this may impact people differently, the factors that cause high levels of anxiety in people with autism spectrum conditions and what they can do to help.

Workshop dates for autumn/winter 2022 (click on links to book): 

Anxiety and autism - 5 September 2022

Anxiety and autism - 25 November 2022

Demand avoidance

Demand avoidance can be a trait for some children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Due to the high levels of stress that any demand made (even those that they put on themselves), managing daily activities, tasks and settings can be extremely difficult and overwhelming for the child or young adult and their parents and carers. This workshop aims to help parents and carers by expanding their understanding of demand avoidance, the reasons behind the behaviour and providing relevant strategies for a child or young adult that has a demand avoidant profile.

Workshop dates for autumn/winter 2022 (click on links to book): 

Demand avoidance - 9 September 2022

Demand avoidance - 24 October 2022

Sensory processing

Sensory processing differences are a common trait for individuals on the autism spectrum. Sensory stimuli can be processed in a different way, making the world around them overwhelming and unpredictable. Such differences can have a severe impact on the child or young adult's anxiety, learning, engagement and well-being. This workshop aims to provide parents and carers of children and young adults with autism spectrum conditions with a better understanding of how such differences can impact the individual, as well as some strategies and resources that can be used to help the child manage the environment around them.

Workshop dates for autumn/winter 2022 (click on links to book): 

Sensory processing - 30 September 2022

Sensory processing - 9 December 2022

Meet the family support team

Karen Enticknapp, Family Support Administrator

Karen is an experienced Personal Assistant and Office Administrator with in the legal sector until before joining Aspens.  Karen has also been a youth worker and mentor for young offenders. Karen is instrumental to our service and the first point of contact for many of our families.

“I am used to being the first contact clients have when facing difficult situations, often feeling distressed and vulnerable. I enjoy helping people and working as Administrator within the Family Support Team gives me the opportunity and privilege of providing a ‘listening ear’ to all who make that initial contact for help, and be part of a great team who deliver the service we can provide.” 

Tasha Brabon, Family and Specialist Support Manager

Tasha worked in Short Breaks, West Sussex for 10 years, providing and organising activities for children with learning disabilities. She was also a nursery teacher.

She joined Aspens in 2018 as a family support engagement officer and is now the Family Specialist Support Manager. She has a national diploma in Early Years Education in Childcare and a level 3 NVQ in autism.

She enjoys supporting families and seeing them through their journey. She likes to see how a move, or a new placement or a transition can work out for them.

She describes the Aspens team as being very supportive with a wide range of knowledge and says it’s one of the friendliest places she’s worked.

Outside of work, Tasha enjoys baking birthday cakes for her side business Mrs Brabs Bakes. She also loves spending time with a little boy who she nannies, as well as travelling and keeping fit.