Mission
To support, educate and empower individuals diagnosed with ADHD or who are autistic, their families and the community. Through raising awareness we change perceptions and break down barriers.
Aims
Support
CAAS provides support and understanding in a safe and non-judgemental environment. As well as having relevant qualifications, the personal experience of staff along with empathy and understanding, allows our clients to feel a sense of belonging when they access the centre. We provide a comprehensive service that acknowledges that clients need support pre- and post- diagnosis. We believe in early support rather than crisis management and our holistic approach encompasses the whole family.
Educate
Understanding and increased awareness comes through education. CAAS offers specialist training using qualified staff, in-house courses, specialised workshops, conferences and a comprehensive lending library.Education can change perceptions, leading to reduced anger, mental health issues and social isolation. Education arms people with the tools they need to become stronger individuals, better parents and better professionals.
Empower
Feeling empowered can break down barriers and encourage positivity about the future. Through support and education we empower our clients to be more confident and independent, enabling them to reach their full potential.Our ‘Empowering Ourselves to Be Heard’ training project provides the opportunity for ADHD/autistic voices to be heard within their community, further raising awareness and shaping services for a better future.
Our history and what we stand for
From working in the field for 25 years, personal experience of staff, and through talking and listening to ADHD/autistic people we have an in-depth understanding of the needs of our clients and how to support them. 50% of our Trustee Board are family members of ADHD/autistic individuals. All three members of our Senior Leadership Team, and 70% of our staff team are parents/partners of ADHD/autistic individuals or neurodivergent themselves.We provide information, training, support groups and practical help to residents of NorthWest London.Our support services encompass education, benefits, parenting and care advice with signposting to other agencies if appropriate. We also offer specialised parenting courses, workshops and training.Should you live outside of these areas and need support, please see the ADHD Foundation for advice on ADHD and The National Autistic Society for information on autism.
Background
ADHD Support Harrow was founded in 1996 by a small group of parents, at the suggestion of a local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) consultant. In 2000 the group became a registered charity and in 2002 moved to premises and began delivering services to meet increasing demand from parents of children with ADHD.We widened our objectives in 2010 and took over the support work of the former Harrow branch of the National Autistic Society to become ADHD & Autism Support Harrow, now Centre for ADHD & Autism Support. The aim of the merged charity is to allow ADHD/autistic individuals and their parents/carers to benefit from the significant overlaps in need between the two conditions by bringing a range of knowledge and experience under one umbrella.
