To commemorate this year’s Neurodiversity week (13-17 March 2023), we are delighted to be welcoming two specialists to Northampton High School. Lesley Lock from East Midlands Autism and Annie Burnett, a trustee from Northampton and Buckinghamshire Dyslexia Association (NBDA), will each be hosting their own coffee morning exclusively for the parents of Northampton High School pupils. Parents will have the opportunity to meet with both Lesley and Annie and hear about how their charities support local young people and their families.
East Midlands Autism – Lesley Lock – Wednesday 15 March from 9:00 am until 10:00 am
Lesley has told us a little about what she does for this charity: “I run 3 autism family support hubs, which are open to children under 11 with or without an ASD diagnosis, and their parents/carers and siblings. These are located in Northampton, Leicester and Loughborough. As part of this service, I also chat to parents/carers about ASD and where to find support, how to manage behaviour they find difficult, how best to fill out benefits forms, and any other ASD related topic that comes up!
I also manage our Northamptonshire Children and Young People’s Service, which runs trips, holiday, and youth clubs for ages 8-18 and who must have a diagnosis, as this is the criteria set by our funders. These are for the young people to attend without a parent/carer, and my fabulous team and I do our best to make sure that the young people have a wonderful time when they are with us and can access the same age-appropriate activities that their neurotypical peers can. In the last year we have been paddle boarding and raft building, visited theme parks, LEGOLAND, and the Think Tank museum, taken part in a Laser Maze evening, and solved some escape rooms!”
Northampton and Buckinghamshire Dyslexia Association – Annie Burnett – Friday 17 March 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Annie has experience of being a primary school teacher for 20 years and a SENCO, Annie now runs her own business as a dyslexia specialist teacher offering tutoring and diagnostic assessments. Her passion about dyslexia extends to the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire Dyslexia Association where she is a trustee running a parent support group and working on the helpline.
If you would like to attend this event, please complete the form here. We look forward to an informative and supportive event.
