Communication
- Autism communication & interaction styles
https://www.autisticslt.com/communicationfeatures
This website provides information about diversity in communication methods.
- Autism and Friendship
Autism and Friendship — Stephanie Bethany | Autistic Adult
- Gestalt Language Processors
https://autismlittlelearners.com/gestalt-language-processors/
- Barnsley Speech & Language Therapy
https://www.youtube.com/c/Barnsleyspeechandlanguagetherapy?app=desktop&cbrd=1
Videos, advice and tips to help children’s speech, language and communication
- How Can I Talk If My Lips Don’t Move: Inside My Autistic Mind by Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535459.How_Can_I_Talk_If_My_Lips_Don_t_Move
- The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida
https://thereasonijumpfilm.com/
Bestselling book with film adapatation – autistic and non-verbal, Naoki learnt to communicate by using a ‘cardboard keyboard’ – and what he has to say gives a rare insight into an autistically-wired mind.
- Small Talk Parent Hub
https://smalltalkparenthub.com/resources/
For parents who want to do the best for their children with speech, language and communication difficulties
- SMIRA (Selective Mutism Information & Research Association)
http://www.selectivemutism.org.uk/
Selective Mutism, sometimes called Situational Mutism, is an anxiety-based mental health disorder which usually commences in early childhood. Those with SM speak fluently in some situations but remain consistently silent in others. They may have a blank expression, or appear ‘frozen’ when expected to speak.
- Situational Mutism
https://www.autisticality.co.uk/situational-mutism-2-0
Info-graphics about situational mutism
- Confident Children
https://www.confidentchildren.co.uk/videosandarticles
Advice and resources for parent of children who have selective mutism
- Communication tools
How to use visual supports as a communication tool
- Visual supports
Visual supports can be very helpful in helping learners with a range of additional support needs. They support communication and can be used in various environments and locations and in many situations. For some autistic learners they are a vital communication support.
- Stickman Communications
https://stickmancommunications.co.uk/
Visual Stickman Communications®, a company using stickman cartoons to break down the barriers and communicate positively yet realistically about a wide range of disabilities, conditions, needs and symptoms
- Twinkl symbols
Visual communication aids
- Widgit symbols
Widgit Symbols are used worldwide to support people to realise their full potential, regardless of age, ability or background.
- CALL Scotland symbols
https://www.callscotland.org.uk/Blog/symbols-for-all-new-inclusive-learning-symbol-resources/
CALL Scotland have created a set of symbolised print and interactive resources for learning accross the curriculum. The resources are all made using Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) and are freely accessible to any schools using Boardmaker Software.
- Makaton
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. It supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening, comprehension, memory, recall and organisation of language and expression.
- Something Special
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/something-special
Something Special uses Makaton signs, speech and symbols to help children learn how to communicate and develop their language skills in a fun and exciting way. Join Mr Tumble and friends as they sing, play and learn together.
- Signalong
Signalong is a communication charity that provides training and resources to assist those with communication difficulties and English as an additional language
Emotions and Wellbeing
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria blog posts
Living with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria » NeuroClastic
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria — Authentically Emily
What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria RSD with Autism or ADHD? – Autistic PhD
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is an extreme emotional response to either real or perceived criticism or rejection. It is commonly experienced by neurodivergent people. It has been argued to be an exclusive emotional condition to ADHD, but others disagree, arguing that it can also be present in autism, social anxiety, and trauma, amongst others.
Autism and Anxiety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vueAASgTz8s
Dr Luke Beardon has written 3 books – you might have seen his books on Anxiety in Autistic Adults or in Autistic Children. Luke has an inclusive, positive approach to helping autistic people thrive in a neurotypical world, celebrating strengths as well as acknowledging difficulties.
IDAS
https://idas.org.uk/what-we-do/children-and-young-people/
IDAS offers a range of free and confidential services to help people cope with, and recover from, the traumatic effects of violence within the family (including child to parent/carer violence).
Suicide Response Project
Co-designed with autistic people with lived experience of suicide. Provides tips on how to detect and respond to suicide risk in others.
Autism and Therapy
The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy | Jessica Kingsley Publishers – UK (jkp.com)
In this candid, witty and insightful exploration into therapy, Steph Jones uses her professional and lived experiences as a late diagnosed autistic woman and therapist, as well as consulting therapists from across the world and tapping into the autistic community, to create the ultimate autistic survival guide to therapy.
YUVA Service at DVIP (domestic violence intervention project)
593-YUVA-leaflet-A5-110521_v2.pdf (dvip.org)
For Young People – DVIP | Domestic Violence Intervention Project
YUVA works with young people aged 11 to 18 who have used violence or abuse towards their parents/carers.
- The Zones of Regulation
https://zonesofregulation.com/
- The Incredible 5-Point Scale
The Incredible 5-Point Scale was developed to share information about the use of the 5-point scale and other systems to teach social and emotional concepts to children and adults who could use some extra support.
- The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills by Sonny Jane Wise
https://livedexperiencecounsellor.com/
- How Do I Feel? By Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips
https://www.wildlingbooks.com/collections/how-do-i-feel
This book is about helping children, teenagers, and even adults help to identify and understand their emotions.
- What to Do What You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner
https://www.dawnhuebnerphd.com/worry-too-much-overcoming-anxiety/
An interactive self-help book designed to guide 6 – 12 year olds and their parents through the cognitive-behavioral techniques most often used in the treatment of generalized anxiety.
- Avoiding Anxiety in Autistic Children by Dr Luke Beardon
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54503471-avoiding-anxiety-in-autistic-children
How to support autistic children through through the situations in life which might cause them greater stress, anxiety and worry than if they were neurotypical.
- Window of Tolerance
https://www.pookyknightsmith.com/video-emotional-regulation-window-of-tolerance-explained/
The Window of Tolerance’ concept of emotional regulation explained in a video by Pooky Knightsmith
- The Go To
Welcome to the home of wellbeing and mental health for young people in North Yorkshire. We’re here to help you find the right help and support for you, to help you stay well, whatever is going on in your life.
- Young Minds Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Whether you want to understand more about how you’re feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who’s struggling, we can help.
- Autistic Realms Supporting Children through Autistic Burnout (Parent/Carer Guide)
- Autistic Mental Health
https://autisticmentalhealth.uk/
Dedicated to improving mental health support for the autistic community, with resources and training designed and delivered by autistic people, with research informed by autistic experiences and expertise.
- Good practice guide for professionals delivering talking therapies for autistic adults and children
Our Mental Health Project, in collaboration with Mind, aims to establish how to make mental health talking therapies better for autistic people.
- Kooth
The Kooth team are here to provide free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling. The whole team are made up of friendly and experienced individuals who want to help you.
- Papyrus
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Parenting
- The Autism Discussion Page Books of Autism by Bill Nason
https://www.facebook.com/autismdiscussionpage/
These books each cover an area of parenting. The blue book focuses on the core challengaes associated with autism. The green book helps with anxiety and stress, challenging behaviors, stretching comfort zones, discipline, and school issues as well as basic daily living strategies. The red book supoorts anxiety, meltdowns, shutdowns and emotional regulation.
- Autism West Midlands A-Z Resources
https://www.autismwestmidlands.org.uk/information-resources-index/a-z-resources/
A range of free resource sheets on a wide range of topics
- The Autistic Advocate
Safe places online for parents of autistic children to learn about autism
- Neurobears
https://theautisticadvocate.com/neurobears/
A course for autistic kids and their families
- Autism Inclusivity Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/autisminclusivity/
An autistic-led private group for parents and caregivers of autistic children to ask questions of autistic adults
- Not Fine in School
https://notfineinschool.co.uk/
Support for parents whose child is not fine in school
- Raising Kids with Hidden Disabilities by Naomi Simmons
https://blog.jkp.com/2023/02/raising-kids-with-hidden-disabilities/
A reassuring and relatable guide for parents and children with a hidden disability, including autism, ADHD, bipolar and OCD
- Sincerely, Your Autistic Child: What People on the Autism Spectrum Wish Their Parents Knew About Growing Up, Acceptance, and Identity by Emily Paige Ballou, Sharon daVanport & Morenike Giwa Onaiwu
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54615849-sincerely-your-autistic-child
- Newbold Hope – Behaviour
Are you worried about a child’s difficult and dangerous behaviour? Does your child sometimes become violent towards others? Do the rest of the family sometimes get hurt? Newbold Hope is entirely run by parents who have been through this with their own child and our whole approach is based on what we know has already worked successfully in our own families and in thousands of others.
- Your Child is Not Broken Book by Heidi Mavir
https://www.stephstwogirls.co.uk/2023/02/your-child-is-not-broken-book-review.html
Parent your neurodivergent child without losing your marbles – a book for parents and carers on how to become a powerful advocate for neurodivergent children
- Beyond Behaviours by Dr Mona Delahooke
https://monadelahooke.com/beyond-behaviors/
Internationally known paediatric psychologist describes behaviours as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety. Featuring impactful worksheets and charts, this accessible book offers professionals, educators and parents tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience and satisfying, secure relationships.
- Alfie Kohn author
Alfie Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting
- Dr Dan Siegel Books
https://drdansiegel.com/books/
Dr Dan Siegel has authored/co-authored a wide range of books to support parents such as The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles and Help Your Family Strive
- Autistic Parents UK
https://www.autisticparentsuk.org/
Being an Autistic parent can raise unique challenges that historically have been poorly supported. Autistic Parents UK is an Autistic-led Charity (CIO) and is committed to supporting Autistic parents in a number of ways.
For Children
- Wonderfully Wired Brains: An Introduction to the World of Neurodiversity by Louise Gooding
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61860215-wonderfully-wired-brains
Our brains are unique in the way they function, work, and think. Neurodiversity is still a relatively ‘new’ concept that can be tricky to understand, but this book is here to help!
- Is it OK to ask Questions about Autism? By Abi Rawlins
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32200283-is-it-ok-to-ask-questions-about-autism
- Amazing Things Happen by Alexander Amelines
Alexander’s film gives an uplifting introduction to autism for young non-autistic audiences, aiming to raise awareness, understanding and tolerance in future generations.
- Autism Acceptance 2022 The NeuroBears
Neuro Bears are coming to explain all about the autistic experience. Just like we can have many different types of bear, people can have many different types of brain. Except we cannot see peoples differences in brain from the outside. Neuro Bears are here to explain all about neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
- NeuroBears
NeuroBears is a course all about the autistic experience aimed at young people.
- Autisticality
https://www.autisticality.co.uk/
Here you can find all the educational info-graphics I make on various topics to do with Autistic experience.
Trauma
- Beacon House Therapeutic Services and Trauma Team
https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/
Beacon House is passionate about developing freely available resources so that knowledge about the repair of trauma and adversity is in the hands of those who need it. Please feel free to use our resources in your home or work setting.
- Anna Freud
We listen to and learn from children and young people, work with them to build better solutions, and amplify their voices to aid better understanding of mental health conditions.
- Autism and Trauma
https://www.autisticslt.com/autism-trauma
Information about autism and trauma and what professionals can do to support young people.
- The Autistic Advocate