Meet the incredible team supporting hundreds of neurodiverse children and their families in Liverpool

In a world where understanding and support can make all the difference, ADDvanced Solutions Community Network emerges as a beacon of hope for families navigating neurodiversity.

ADDvanced Solutions goes beyond conventional methods when supporting parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children, with a model of learning and support.

Founded in 2012 by Vanda Reeves, Louise Hankinson, and Rita Jones, ADDvanced Solutions arose from a profound understanding of the challenges faced by families with neurodiverse children. Fuelled by lived experiences and a desire to offer assistance to those in need, the founders envisioned a service that transcended diagnostic labels, focusing instead on the individual.

Vanda Reeves, co-founder and director, said:

“We were very innovative when we first began the company, because every service was diagnosis driven. You needed that confirmation before you were given the help you needed.

“So we thought, why don’t we turn it on its head and open the access to pre, during, post, and no diagnosis, because there are a lot of people who have neurodiverse needs who will never get a diagnosis, but we will support the needs of these people regardless of the label.”

The organisation’s approach is revolutionary, emphasising the importance of understanding each child’s unique journey.

Through tailored training, coaching, mentoring, and a plethora of health and wellbeing activities, the company equips families to navigate the complexities of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing difficulties.

ADDvanced Solutions helps parents to understand that any behaviours that are presenting themselves, are a form of communication.

Vanda said:

“Your child is trying to tell you something. We look at behaviour as a form of communicating a need. We help the parents to interpret the behaviour as ‘I am trying to tell you something, this is how I feel and I can’t articulate it.

“If parents understand this then we can help share strategies to help them.”

At the heart of ADDvanced Solutions lies a commitment to accessibility. Unlike traditional services that require a formal diagnosis for assistance, this organisation opens its doors to families at every stage of their journey – from pre-diagnosis to post-diagnosis and beyond.

By embracing a solution-focused ethos, ADDvanced Solutions empowers parents to become advocates for their children, fostering a supportive community where no one feels alone.

The team is made up of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds, including teaching, healthcare, and social care. What unites them is a shared experience as parents and caregivers of neurodiverse children, ensuring a deep understanding of the challenges families face.

Vanda said:

“We all have that lived experience, so nobody can shock us. People come in all the time and tell us about embarrassing scenarios, like their child being excluded from school, and we can relate to it. I just say to them ‘don’t worry… my child was excluded 54 times in reception. There’s no stigma, there’s no negativity… we completely understand you. We get it and we will help you.”

Vanda added:

“We wanted to help parents and equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage the kids themselves. Because they are our kids. You need to understand them, because once you do, you can support them much better.”

The company has been commissioned in Liverpool since around 2014, and also operate across St Helens, Warrington, Halton, Knowsley, and Sefton.

Vanda said:

“We provide parents and carers with an age-specific learning offer, and also provide one-to-one coaching for young people who have had their diagnosis to help them understand themselves.

“So if they’re wondering why they feel different, we go in and help them understand what being neurodiverse means to them and how they can see it as something positive.”

Vanda explained that there are plenty of parents who are not wishing to seek a diagnosis for their child and “that’s absolutely fine,” The organisation will still support these parents as well as those who have received, or are on the pathway to receive, a diagnosis.

They also support parents and carers who recognise that they’re neurodiverse themselves.

Vanda said:

“Neurodiverse parents can really struggle with a child who is neurodiverse because they have their own needs as well as their child’s needs, so we help them to understand their kids as well as themselves.”

Through workshops, formal and informal learning sessions, and peer support groups, ADDvanced Solutions addresses a wide range of topics, from supporting transition to sensory processing difficulties and emotional regulation.

By partnering with local authorities and healthcare professionals, the organisation extends its reach, offering invaluable resources to families across Liverpool and beyond.

For Vanda and her team, success is measured by the transformative impact they have on families’ lives. By providing a lifeline of support and understanding, ADDvanced Solutions is reshaping the narrative surrounding neurodiversity, one family at a time.