https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/patients-and-families/your-care/teen-space/specialities-and-teams/the-learning-disability-and-autism-team/

The learning disability and autism team

Illustration of people holding hands in a circle

Welcome to the Learning Disability and Autism team. Our team support children and young people with a learning disability and or autism. We help advocate for your rights for equal care. We can support with reasonable adjustment plans that meet your needs for when you come to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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

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.

Our team can help you start practicing going to appointments on your own. We can help prepare you.

  • Our team can share a hospital passport with you, that you can fill out and take to other hospitals. This helps other hospitals understand what helps you.
  • Our team can bring you things that will help you in your appointment. For example ear defenders or sensory toys.
  • Our team can link with your local hospitals when you leave Great Ormond Street to make sure they are aware of your needs and how to support you.
  • Our team can speak to you about things you would like to have in place for appointments and admissions. For example, having somewhere quiet to wait for your appointment. These are called “reasonable adjustments”.

Remember, it is your right to ask for reasonable adjustments.

If you have a learning disability and or autism and feel you would like some more support in hospital we would love to hear from you.

Email: learning.disability@gosh.nhs.uk

Telephone: 020 7813 8465

If you want our support when you are at Great Ormond Street and you find it hard to contact us yourself, try and ask someone who works here to call us.

We are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. If we are unable to take your call please leave a voicemail and we will call you back.