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Jan 2023

Last Updated: 25/01/2023

Community

Harrogate mum launches group for neurodiverse children and their parents

by John Grainger

| 25 Jan, 2023

Emily Mitchell and her daughter Elsie.

A Harrogate mum who set up a play and support group for neurodiverse children and their parents says the response has been “incredible”.

Emily Yeates, whose three-year-old daughter Elsie is non-verbal and still awaiting a formal autism diagnosis, launched Neurodiverse Stay & Play to provide parents with a supportive environment and a chance to swap experiences.

Emily said:

“Being the parent of a non-neurotypical child can be quite isolating. Elsie can go from being calm one moment to having a meltdown the next. All people see is a ‘naughty child’, but actually, Elsie just doesn’t understand.

“Birthday parties, meals out, and even soft-play areas have all become difficult – they're too loud, there are too many people, or too many restrictions – so we don’t tend to take her to them any more.

“It got to the point where I was isolating myself so much that I was struggling, and I wanted to find other parents in the same position.”

The group held its first session on Saturday, and more are planned in the coming weeks. The two-hour-long events take place at Oatlands Community Centre and will initially be free; from April it will cost £4 a session, but remain free for members of local community network myLifePool.

Emily said:

“Our first session was fully booked, and the feedback has been incredible. The Harrogate Dog Walking & Pet Company very generously sponsored the food and drink, and we've been contacted by speech and language therapists and even by North Yorkshire County Council about grants. It just goes to show how much this is needed in Harrogate.

“We offer an environment where there’s no judgement – if your child kicks off, we get it! – and where parents can just chat and offer each other moral support and understanding."

The next sessions run by Neurodiverse Stay & Play will take place at Oatlands Community Centre on:

Tuesday, February 10 – 10-12 noon

Saturday, February 25 – 2-4pm

Thursday, March 9 – 10-12 noon

Sunday, March 19 – 10-12 noon

To book in for a session, go to the Events page at myLifePool.

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Harrogate mum launches group for neurodiverse children and their parents

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