Children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism

At Great Ormond Street Hospital we have a learning disability and autism team.

Learning Disability Awareness week, 15 to 19 June 2026

We're celebrating Learning Disability Awareness week, 15 to 19 June 2026.

We're proud to celebrate Learning Disability Awareness week, a time to champion inclusivity, raise awareness and recognise the vital role our patients, families and staff play in supporting children and young people with learning disabilities.

This year's theme is: Do you see me?

How are we celebrating:

Monday 15 June

Tuesday 16 June

  • Neurodisability Team Stall -10am to 4pm, Lagoon by Disney Reef. Fun activities for children, the Neurodisability stall will have clinicians on hand who are happy to chat to staff and families about what the Neurodisability service does at GOSH.
  • GOSH Voice: Promoting LD workshops and focus group events - 1pm to 2pm, Lagoon by Disney Reef
  • Therapy Dogs

Wednesday 17 June

  • Learning Disability and Autism Stall - 1.30pm to 4pm, Lagoon by Disney Reef
  • Sensory Overload Experience For Staff - 11am to 1pm, Kingfisher Seminar room
  • Therapy Dogs

Thursday 18 June

  • Learning Disability and Autism Stall - 1.30pm to 4pm, Lagoon by Disney Reef
  • Music Therapy Team - 1pm to 2pm, Lagoon Disney Reef
  • Sensory Overload Experience For Staff - 1pm to 4pm, Kingfisher Seminar room
  • Therapy Dogs

Friday 19 June

  • Learning Disability and Autism Stall - 12pm to 2pm, Falcon outpatients
  • Sensory Circuit for Patients and Staff - 3pm to 4.30pm, Hospital Gym, Level 2 Variety Club building.
  • LD and Autism Teaching for Staff - 4pm to 5pm, Homeopathy Building

What we do

Our team are committed to ensuring that children, and young people with a learning disability and/or autism receive the highest quality of care at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

We help advocate for equity of care for our patients through a variety of different means including the flagging of and assisting to implement bespoke reasonable adjustments plans, liaising with clinical teams across the trust and providing advice and support with planning complex admissions.

In addition to children and young people we also support parents or guardians who have a learning disability.

We understand that attending hospital can be a daunting experience for our patients and their families and we wish to make coming to Great Ormond Street as positive experience as possible for all involved.

Meet the team

The learning disability and autism team can also support you in appointments when you want to attend without your family to help you gain confidence to do this on your own.

We can help the teams you see at GOSH understand what you need.

We understand that attending hospital can be a daunting experience and want to make visiting Great Ormond Street as positive as it can be for you.

Meet the team

  • Alexander Walker: Matron (Learning Disabilities and Autism) and Mental Capacity Act Clinical Co-lead Nurse
  • Ema-Mae West: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Learning Disabilities and Autism
  • Orla Friel: Clinical Nurse Specialist (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
  • India Taylor: Specialist Nurse (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
  • Lucy Barzilay: Outpatients Learning Disability Nurse
  • Laura Adeyefa: Lead Practice Educator (Learning Disabilities and Mental Health)
  • Nicole Smillie: Practice Educator (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
  • Katie Nixon: Senior Play Worker (Learning Disabilities and Autism)
  • Sam Johnstone: Senior Play Worker (Learning Disabilities and Autism)

We also have a number of learning disability nurses who work across various wards.

Service details

We are a 9am to 5pm service and cover all wards and outpatient departments and areas within the trust.

If you think your child would benefit from support with our team, please contact us on:

Telephone number: 020 7813 8465 (extension 8465 if call via switchboard)

Email: learning.disability@gosh.nhs.uk

If we are unable to take your call, please leave a voicemail and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Other teams

We work closely with the below teams:

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Last review date:
12 June 2026