Category: <span>news</span>

• Please be aware that the standard prescription fee has increased to £50 from 1^st January 2024.  This increase is as a result of having held our prices since July 2022 and our change from using a standard signed for postage method to Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm.  This should ensure that posted prescriptions are received the next day. 

Further updates relating to medication supplies and prescription requests:-

• Unfortunately, there is currently a national shortage of some types of ADHD medication, so before sending a prescription, we are asking patients to call their preferred pharmacies to check if they have any stock (or if not, whether they have alternative doses). Prescribing alternative medication or in a worst case scenario, taking a break, may need to be discussed for you if usual supplies are not available.
• There is currently a fee of £50 for prescriptions issued between appointments, for which we require payment before sending out your prescription. Please wait for the invoice to be sent to you or for you to be called to take payment, before making bank transfers without a reference. When requesting prescriptions, please provide the full name of the patient, DOB and medication required.
• There will also be a fee for letters issued between appointments. 
   
• Please note that these charges do not apply if you are one of our NHS patients.
   
• Dr Polly Branney has now retired from working for the Oxford ADHD & Autism Centre. We are in the process of adopting new prescribing processes with new members of clinical staff who are joining our team, to ensure as seamless a transition for our patients as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

The Story Museum in Oxford have got some great Access Events coming up in their Woodshed Theatre this Autumn. These events have been adapted for audiences with access needs.

Also, they have recently introduced Sensory Backpacks for visitors to the Museum – these are available to loan for the duration of a visit and are designed to both calm and stimulate a child’s journey through the Galleries so that families can make the most of their visit!

Looking After Nature – Friday 29 September, 14:30-15:15 – sensory stories SEN session for ages 2-5
Learn how to nurture nature in this sensory story time that looks at the power of friendship, growth and change. Using sensory props, high quality children’s picture books and music, the audience  will go on a journey of discovery into the world of nature.

To book, call the Box Office on 01865 807600 or visit the website: Tiny Ideas Festival: Looking After Nature | The Story Museum

Mr Chirrups Global Bug Safari – Monday 23 October, 14:30-15:10 – relaxed performance for ages 7+

A fun-filled journey through stories, facts and songs in this global bug safari! This gorgeous show transforms perceptions of insects  and demonstrates  the vital contribution  the tiny friends make to our existence.

To book, call the Box Office on 01865 807600 or visit the website: Mr Chirrup’s Global Bug Safari | The Story Museum

The Greatest Show on Earth – Saturday 28 October, 14:30-15:30 – BSL interpreted event for ages 7+

Roll up! Roll up! For The Greatest Show on Earth! Join local author and illustrator, Mini Grey for a whistletop tour of the story of life on Earth. Learn to draw the characters and how to use them to create your own insect theatre show. Followed by a book signing.

To book, call the Box Office on 01865 807600 or visit the website: The Greatest Show on Earth! | The Story Museum

A PhD student at the University of Oxford is conducting research into the overlap between anxiety disorders and autism. They are currently looking to recruit autistic adolescents for a paid, interview based study.

Please see further details below. If you are interested please email: kiera.adams@univ.ox.ac.uk

The University Of Edinburgh, School of Health in Social Science are recruiting participants for an MSc project on self-harm and autistic women.  No studies to date have investigated self-harm from the unique perspective of autistic women and they hope this research will provide an important insight into these experiences.

The project has received ethical approval and specific measures have been put in place to minimise risk to participants given the sensitivity of the topic in question. Evidence of this can be provided by the study team on request.
The study recognises the importance of centring autistic people’s voices in research and the project team features an autistic researcher who they have co-created this project with.

Please see further details below. If you are interested, please email:  er3research@gmail.com

We are pleased to announce that our children’s waiting list for ADHD and Autism diagnostic assessments is now open again!

In order to join our waiting list, please send an email to child@oxfordadhdcentre.co.uk with the following details:

• Name of child and parent/carer
• Child’s age
• Contact telephone number
• Assessment required (i.e. ADHD, Autism, both)

On receipt of your email, we will reply with some welcome information about our services and registration forms to complete and return in order to add your child to the waiting list.  Your child will not be added to the list until the registration forms have been returned.

Please check both your inbox and spam folders for our reply.  Please be aware that demand is likely to be high, so we would appreciate your patience during this time.  Replies may take up to 48 hours.

Waiting times are currently around 3 months, but this is likely to increase as new enquiries come through, so we thank you for your understanding.

Do you have a neurodivergent teenager who would like to connect with new friends, learn new coping tools to manage stress, have fun and relax within a community of people who accept and ‘get’ each other?

A wellbeing retreat day is an opportunity for young people from 16-19 with ADHD & Autism to-

* Connect with new friends who ‘get you’ in a safe space

* Walk away with new ‘tools’ and strategies to empower you

* Learn how to better appreciate yourself through self-compassion and awareness

* Themed workshops on organisational skills, nutrition, sleep and mental health

* Creativity, journaling, movement and group coaching

*  Gain new strategies and practical tools to build into your daily life

* Enjoy Somatic movement practices for self regulation

Workshops are limited to just 10 spaces with experienced and qualified mental health professionals.

To book please visit www.francescamelluzzi.com

We are pleased to announce that we are running another parenting programme for parents of children with Autism.

The course runs over two Saturdays (details to the left or in the link below) at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Oxford.

Places are limited and attendance is by pre-booking a place only.  Arrivals without a pre-booked place will not be admitted. Attendance is required for both dates in order to complete and the programme is for parents only to attend, not children.

Please email us at office@oxfordadhdcentre.co.uk for more information or to request a place on the programme.

Invoices will be sent when booking requests are received and bookings will only be confirmed once payment has been received. Invoices must be paid on receipt in order to secure your place on the programme.

Light refreshments will be provided, however please bring a packed lunch.  Alternatively, there are facilities near to the hotel.

ASD Parenting Course Programme Mar-Apr 23

Thame Music Therapy is a community-focused therapy practice aiming to enhance the existing network of inclusive support for children, young people and adults in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 

Music therapy is a creative, engaging and flexible form of therapy. Through a combination of talking and accessible music-making (improvisation, song writing, musical games) to form a positive working rapport, music therapy aims to support mental health, well-being and personal development. 

The benefits of music therapy can include:

– enhanced communication and self-expression

– emotional containment and reduced anxiety

– developed awareness of self and others

– improved listening skills and capacity to share

– increased focus and concentration span

– more flexible and creative play

Thame Music Therapy is run by Hugh Anderson, an HCPC-certified music therapist with 15 years experience within mainstream, SEN and SEMH education settings. Hugh is also Head of Therapies for the organisation Resources for Autism. He has worked with a wide range of autistic individuals and people living with ADHD. 

Contact Hugh directly on info@thamemusictherapy.co.uk 

Find out more @ https://thamemusictherapy.co.uk/

A local Oxford resource, “Perspectives Psychological services”, are launching a series of “Nurturing Neurodiversity” workshops and small groups for people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

For further information, please visit https://www.perspectives.me.uk/service/neurodiversity-workshops/

Please be aware that this being led by an external organisation and we are unable to provide additional information ourselves.