The Manchester Neurodevelopmental (ND) Service offers informational workshops that have historically been offered to parents and carers of children or young people who are on the Social Communication Pathway (SCP) waiting list or who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Following the changes to Greater Manchester’s neurodevelopmental pathways, the MFT has opened these workshops to ALL city of Manchester parents and carers. Whether you have a neurodivergent child or you’re a neurocurious parent/carer, you can now access the Manchester ND Service workshops to learn more about neurodiversity and how you can support neurodivergent children and young people.

The workshops run weekly and rotate between the following four topics every month:

– Neurodiversity and Well-being: This session discusses information around neurodiversity, mental health and well-being, and are delivered by Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Practitioners.
– Sensory Differences: Delivered by Occupational Therapists in the team, this session offers information for parents around sensory behaviours and how to support them at home.
– Communication Differences: This session provides information around speech, language and communication, and are delivered by Speech and Language Therapists.
– Understanding and Working with the Education System: This session is delivered by Educational Psychologists and provides information about SEND, neurodiversity in education and how children’s needs can be met by schools.

There is also a set of Early Years workshops that are more relevant to those with children aged 3 to 5 years. Topics include eating challenges, play, sensory differences, and toilet training.

Please visit https://bit.ly/scp-autism-workshops if you wish to view the chronological list of all upcoming SCP workshops on our calendar.

Below are some articles and events on our website that refer to the Manchester Neurodevelopmental (ND) Service workshops for parents and carers. Please click on a specific event to learn more and to book your place.

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Community Play Workshop

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Community Play Workshop

This workshop shares practical ideas you can try at home to support sensory regulation for children with social communication differences. It aims to improve parental and child wellbeing through play.

Understanding and Working with the Primary Education System (South Manchester)

Understanding and Working with the Primary Education System (South Manchester)

Delivered by educational psychologists, this session provides info about SEND, neurodiversity in education, and how children's needs can be met by schools.

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

This workshop looks at the reasons behind a limited diet, nutritional needs, the impact of sensory differences and ideas to try and increase the range of foods your child will try.

By Karen Woodhouse|2026-09-14T14:40:08+01:00November 20th, 2026|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, eating challenges, Manchester Neurodevelopmental (ND) Service Workshops for Parents/Carers, Manchester Neurodevelopmental Service, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, needs-led model, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s Neurodevelopmental Service Workshops for Parents/Carers, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding Communication Differences (South Manchester)

Understanding Communication Differences (South Manchester)

This workshop aims to impart parents with language and communication strategies to use with their children.

Understanding Sensory Differences (South Manchester)

Understanding Sensory Differences (South Manchester)

This workshop aims to impart parents and carers with information about sensory differences amongst neurodivergent people.

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Toilet Training Workshop

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Toilet Training Workshop

This workshop considers the particular challenges parents/carers can face when toilet training a child with social communication differences. Ideal for those with children aged 0 to 5 years.

Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing (South Manchester)

Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing (South Manchester)

This session discusses information around Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Well-being delivered by Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Practitioners.

Understanding and Working with the Secondary-aged Education System (North Manchester)

Understanding and Working with the Secondary-aged Education System (North Manchester)

Delivered by educational psychologists, this session provides info about SEND, neurodiversity in education, and how children's needs can be met by schools.

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

Under-5s – Parent/Carer Eating Challenges Workshop

This workshop looks at the reasons behind a limited diet, nutritional needs, the impact of sensory differences and ideas to try and increase the range of foods your child will try.

By Karen Woodhouse|2026-09-14T14:31:48+01:00October 21st, 2026|Categories: Information Sharing, Learning, Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Under-5s Social Communication Pathway (SCP) Workshops, Workshop|Tags: autism, Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Early Years, eating challenges, Manchester Neurodevelopmental (ND) Service Workshops for Parents/Carers, Manchester Neurodevelopmental Service, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, needs-led model, SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers, Social Communication Pathway, Under-5s Neurodevelopmental Service Workshops for Parents/Carers, Under-5s SCP Workshops for Parents and Carers|

Understanding Sensory Differences (Online parent/carer workshop)

Understanding Sensory Differences (Online parent/carer workshop)

The workshop is for parents and carers of children and young people from pre-school years, up to 18yrs of age. This workshop will develop your understanding of the sensory system. It considers how neurodivergent individuals may experience sensory differences.

12 Next