Merton Mencap

Providing support and services for children, young people and adults with a learning disability and their family carers in the London Borough of Merton

Merton Autism Parent Service (MAPS)

Support for parents and carers of young people 0-25 with a diagnosis of autism (or likely to receive a diagnosis)

  • Confidential listening, support and information and advice service 
  • Provided by trained parents who have a child with autism
  • Sessions offered in-person or remotely
  • Support on a range of topics including communication, challenging behaviours, self-harming, sleep issues and anxiety

Do you need practical advice about supporting someone with Autism?

Are you having difficulties in the home and/or when you are out in the community? 

Do you want reassurance about the approach you and your family are taking?

MAPS is a listening, support, information and advice service for parents of 0 – 25 year olds with a diagnosis of autism or who are likely to receive a diagnosis (e.g. referred for an assessment). 

We will talk to you in a confidential and informal session. You will meet a Parent Advisor (who also has a child or young person with autism) and a member of MAPS staff. Our team has been trained to offer a range of evidence-based strategies – this means that the tools and information we give you have been tried and tested and are approved by professionals in the field.

We offer advice on communication, challenging behaviours, self-harming, sleep issues, anxiety and many other challenges that arise. We are family-centred and will listen to you.

We do not help with EHCPs, SEN Support in school, or help you to find education placements. A service called MIASS offers this service and they can be found on the Merton Local Offer website. We also do not diagnose autism and cannot offer detailed advice about welfare benefits. Please see www.merton.gov.uk/localoffer for other services who can help.

Useful Links

MAPS Toolkit – pdf documents to download

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