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Help & Resources

Early Years Service

The Neurodiversity Early Years and Key Stage 1 Service at the ADHD Foundation is dedicated to promoting early identification and intervention for young children presenting with emerging characteristics of neurodevelopmental conditions. Our aim is to ensure that neurodiversity is recognised, celebrated, and supported, taking a needs-led approach across the early years and Key Stage 1.

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A young girl sitting at a table looking through a comic A young toddler in a brightly lit field of yellow flowers, she is holding a flower in her hand
Early Years

Meet the Team

Our expert team build knowledge and skills within the early years and Key Stage 1 workforce through training, coaching and play based therapeutic intervention. Our relationship driven approach encourages mutual exploration of the child’s needs and support required.

  • Samantha Asher

    Neurodiversity Early Years/KS1 Lead

    My role within the foundation is to work in collaboration with early years and primary school settings. I am passionate about supporting practitioners and parents/carers to understand and implement strategies, to enable our little learners, with emerging characteristics of neurodevelopmental conditions.

  • Rachel Rushton

    Neurodiversity Early Years Specialist

    My role at the ADHD Foundation is to work collaboratively with educators, childcare professionals, parents and carers who have a desire to develop their understanding of neurodiversity.

  • Sarah Oakley

    Neurodiversity Early Years Specialist

    My role at the ADHD foundation is to support early years practitioners and parents/carers to develop their knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity. We take a needs-led approach to support children with emerging characteristics of neurodevelopmental conditions.

  • Jennifer Bradley

    Neurodiversity Early Years Specialist

    My role at the ADHD Foundation is to work alongside educators, childcare professionals and parents/carers to support them in strengthening their understanding of neurodiversity, as well as providing strategies to support their little ones

  • Rachel Lunt

    Neurodiversity Early Years Specialist

    My role at the ADHD Foundation, is to work alongside the Early Years workforce, to provide support for our youngest children and their families. My focus is to spread awareness of emerging neurodivergence, and to provide best-practice strategies taking a strengths based approach.

Help & Resources

Featured Resources

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Early Years
3 minute read
Understanding ADHD in the Early Years

The typical age of diagnosis for ADHD is 7 years, however we can spot the signs earlier and this can be beneficial for providing the support needed in the Early Years.
Early Years
1 minute read
Understanding the stress response and promoting regulating behaviour

Exploring the human stress response and how we can support our children to develop skills in self regulation.
Early Years
1 minute read
The ADHD Hero: Activity Book

Hey, you must be an ADHD hero like me! You must be an ADHD hero like me! Let’s work together to learn more about our ADHD.
Early Years
3 minute read
Developing Theory of Mind in the Early Years

Theory of mind is the ability to understand and tune into others' emotions, intentions and beliefs.
Early Years
5 minute read
Social interaction and Autism

Children with Autism experience the world differently to their ‘neurotypical’ peers. One of the ways adults might notice this is through how children with Autism socialise.
Early Years
3 minute read
Activity ideas for a Sensory Circuit

A great way to support a child presenting with sensory integration difficulties is by setting up sensory circuits either at nursery or in the home.
Early Years
3 minute read
Activities to encourage executive function development

“Executive Functions” are a set of skills that support a person’s ability to plan, organise, problem solve, store information, follow multiple step instructions and stay focused despite distractions.
Early Years
1 minute read
The Umbrella Gang: Volume 4

This story takes place at Umbrella Heights, a few years after Siena, Marcus, Andy, Josh and Charlotte have all graduated and left school. We now join Ruben, Elena, and a cast of new inspiring young pupils on their own adventure!
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