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It’s estimated that 15-20% of children and young people in the UK are neurodivergent (National Statistics, 2023). That means they have differences in how their brain functions to what is considered ‘typical’. Neurodivergent conditions include ADHD and Autism. This episode of Raising Teens looks at the experiences of neurodivergent young people and how families can support their children so they can develop and thrive. We also look at what role getting a diagnosis plays in that. 

Whilst neurodiversity isn’t a mental health condition, many children and young people experience challenges with their mental health. They face social pressures to behave ‘appropriately’ – or like their neurotypical peers – at school, in friendship groups, and communities. Coping strategies can take a huge toll on their emotional wellbeing. 

🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: Neurodiversity BBC Sounds.

Our expert guests for episode 5 are:

  • Hamish Gale – Senior Manager of Specialist Teaching Services ESCC
  • Dr Tracey Atkins – Specialist Educational Psychologist for East Sussex County Council.
  • Sav Kanagasundaram – NDP Family Training & Navigation Service Manager at Amaze Sussex.

If you’re wondering how parents can support their teens, and how we can make sure that support is accessible to every young person that needs it, tune in to BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, and BBC Sounds on Fridays at 7pm or catch up any time on BBC Sounds.

👉 Find out more about Raising Teens and listen to past episodes: Raising Teens.

👏 Raising Teens series 5 is supported by NHS Sussex.

Help and support:

Young Minds – information about autism and mental health, and ADHD and mental health – including advice on looking after your mental health, supporting a friend and stories from other young people with autism and Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Amaze Sussex – SEN and disability support and services in Sussex. Amaze works with families that include a child or young person with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) across Sussex. They work with parent carers and with children and young people with SEND.

Ambitious About Autism – an online platform for autistic young people aged 16-25 with plenty of great information and support – including advice on support in school, work experience opportunities, education, training and personal stories.

National Autistic Society – the UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Includes an online forum where you can discuss your issues and queries. 

The Autism Education Trust has some great Resources for young people.

ADHD Foundation: Worth a look at their tips to help your teen with ADHD

NHS information about treatment for Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The Sunflower scheme supports people living with non-visible disabilities in their communities. The sunflower is an international symbol of hidden disability which you can use, for example, when travelling. If an official sees someone wearing the sunflower lanyard, they will know that they might need to differentiate their approach or communications with someone.

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Our latest episode of BBC Raising Teens focuses on the journey from teen to adult, which is complex and can be hard to navigate without support and guidance. The teenage brain, changes in hormones, and upheavals in a teens’ personal life can be overwhelming, confusing and challenging. Pressures on young people are increasing as they move to adulthood. 

Almost half of teens have lowered expectations for their future because of the rising cost of living, according to the latest Prince’s Trust Youth Index. In this episode of Raising Teens, we look into how we can support young people to make positive decisions about their future and best prepare to navigate the challenges of life.

🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: From teen to adult on BBC Sounds.

Our guests for episode 4 are:

  • Jenny Warwick – qualified counsellor, specialises in supporting and guiding parents and carers of tweens and teens.
  • Dr Rick Fraser – Consultant Psychiatrist accredited as a specialist in both CAMHS and General Adult Psychiatry
  • Helen Baxter – Hangleton & Knoll Project Youth Worker Manager

If you’re wondering how parents can support their teens, and how we can make sure that support is accessible to every young person that needs it, tune in to BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, and BBC Sounds on Fridays at 7pm or catch up any time on BBC Sounds. 

This episode was first broadcast on Friday 26 January 2024 on BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey.

👉 Find out more about Raising Teens and listen to past episodes: Raising Teens.

👏 Raising Teens series 5 is supported by NHS Sussex.

Help and support:

Young Minds: Mental health charity with lots of great resources and information on mental health for young people and parents. 

Sussex CAMHS: Resources-for-families-carers-and-professionals.

www.e-wellbeing.co.uk: a youth co-produced self-help and information website for children and young people. Families in West Sussex will find the digital referral form here to the single point of access.

Barnado’s: Support for care leavers

iRock: a place for 14-25 year-olds in Sussex to talk face-to-face, by text video call or live chat with a mental health professional.

Holding Space: offering family mental health and support in East Sussex.

Youth Advocacy Project – YAP: the advocacy service for children and young people in Brighton and Hove which offers in-person advocacy as well as phone/video call/email advocacy depending on your circumstances and preferences.

Jenny Warwick’s counselling service: Talk to Jenny Counselling for parents of early adolescents and teens.

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There has been a huge rise in the number of young people receiving treatment for eating disorders. Almost 10,000 children and young people in England started treatment between April and December 2021, a rise of almost two thirds since before the pandemic. And there’s been a 90% rise in hospital admissions over the last 5 years. 

In this episode of Raising Teens, which aired on BBC Sussex on 19 January 2024, we explored how parents and carers can understand what’s happening to their teens and find the right support. We looked at what‘s behind this sharp rise and how services can keep up with the need for treatment. What should we be doing as a society to help our young people who may be struggling?

🎧 Listen to Raising Teens: Eating Disorders on BBC Sounds.

Our guests for episode 3 are:

  • Tom Quinn, Director of External Affairs at BEAT Eating Disorder charity
  • Dr Selma Stafford, Clinical director for NHS Sussex, GP, and BEAT Trustee
  • Tanya Procter, Joint Commissioner Health and Wellbeing in Schools in West Sussex.

👉 Find out more about Raising Teens and listen to past episodes: Raising Teens.

👏 Raising Teens series 5 is supported by NHS Sussex.

Help and support:

BEAT, national eating disorder charity with information advice and helpline
Helpline 0808 801 0677
Under-18s Youthline 0808 801 0711

Sussex NHS advice including updated (October 2023) information for under 18s in Sussex and where to get help.

NHS advice and information about eating disorders

NHS advice for parents

Health for Teens information on eating disorders tailored to your area

Young Minds: Information and advice about anorexia; body image; bulimia

The Mix support for under 25s: Body Image and Self Esteem

Mind: How to increase your self-esteem

The Hub of Hope, a national mental health database of organisations and charities across the country who offer local advice and support. Includes a Talk Now button connecting users directly to the Samaritans 

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Episode 2 of our BBC radio show, Raising Teens airs on Friday 12 January 2024. New series host Clare Cowan discusses what happens when a child experiences trauma in their early years. Traumatic experiences can result in behaviours which can cause distress – to the child, their families and communities. These can include self-harm, risk-taking and being vulnerable to criminal exploitation. How do we intervene early to work with young people in our communities and help prevent family breakdowns and escalation? How can parents, the wider family, and friends provide support? 

🎧 Listen on BBC Sounds: Raising Teens: Supporting Adolescent Trauma

Our guests for episode 2 are:

  • Emily Kerr, Clinical Service Manager for the CAMHS Crisis and Home Treatment Team (Registered Mental Health Nurse)
  • Rachael Swann, CEO of Grassroots
  • Jo Parker – Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor, and Professional Adviser for parent consultations at Young Minds
  • Hugh Miller, Senior Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist 

If you’re wondering how parents can support their teens, and how we can make sure that support is accessible to every young person that needs it, tune in to BBC Radio Sussex and Surrey, and BBC Sounds on Fridays at 7pm.

👉 Find out more about Raising Teens and listen to past episodes: Raising Teens.

👏 Raising Teens series 5 is supported by NHS Sussex.

Help and support: Trauma in adolescents