When Sam*, a bright and energetic ten-year-old, began showing signs associated with ASD/ADHD, his parents sought help through the NHS. But as months turned into years, the wait for a formal assessment stretched to three years.
Sam’s mother recalls: “A friend recommended the service [OCC] after we had some concerns about ASD/ADHD. We have been waiting on the NHS for 3 years for an assessment and so the treatment our son has received at the Osteopathic Centre for Children has been invaluable in managing his symptoms.”
During this prolonged waiting period, Sam’s family turned to the Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) for support. Gentle osteopathic treatment quickly became part of his monthly routine.
His parents emphasise how essential OCC’s accessible model has been during this journey. “We are so grateful for the support we have received,” his mother says. “The OCC make treatment affordable and accessible; we would not have been able to afford such frequent visits without it.”
For Sam’s family, the OCC became more than a stopgap while waiting for an assessment. It became a source of stability, understanding, and practical help. Their experience highlights the difference that early, compassionate, and accessible support can make for families navigating neurodevelopmental concerns.
*Patient’s name has been changed