This category explores autism through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, with practical support strategies for teachers, TAs, and families. From sensory needs and communication styles to behaviour, inclusion, and emotional regulation, these resources are designed to help autistic learners thrive in school and beyond.
Whether you’re looking for visual supports, autism-friendly classroom adaptations, or insights into co-regulation and low-demand approaches, you’ll find content grounded in respect, experience, and evidence-informed practice.
It is Friday afternoon. The school bag hits the floor. The shoes come off. For most families, this signals the start of relaxation. But for us? It often feels like the starting gun for a 48-hour marathon. We love our kids. We want them to have a great childhood. But weekends can take some planning. … Read more
Autistic Task-Switching You ask your child to put on their shoes. They are building a Lego castle. You ask again. You wait. You ask a third time. Suddenly, they are screaming on the floor. It looks like defiance. It looks like they are just ignoring you. But for an autistic person, this moment is physically … Read more
Have you ever watched an autistic person, perhaps your child, your student, or even yourself, spend hours “stuck” on the sofa, fully aware of the tasks they need to do, yet physically unable to move? Have you ever tried to get them to stop a preferred activity, only to be met with an explosive meltdown … Read more
Imagine your computer has too many tabs open, is running heavy software, and suddenly overheats. What happens? It doesn’t explode; the screen goes black, and it stops responding. It goes offline to protect its hardware. This is a helpful analogy for understanding autistic shutdowns. For a long time, autistic reactions to overwhelm were misunderstood as … Read more
What Is Autistic Skill Regression? Autistic skill regression refers to the loss or reduced access to abilities that were previously established. This experience can be deeply disorienting and distressing, but understanding what’s happening can help you navigate this challenging period with more self-compassion. Skill regression in autistic adults and children manifests differently than many people … Read more
The teenage years mark a huge step toward independence and increasing demands from life. Homework, changing classrooms, managing timetables, remembering deadlines, and balancing social life – for many students this transition can feel demanding. For teens with ADHD or Autism, these demands can be overwhelming – This is where visual planning comes in. Executive functions … Read more
Dreamland Margate, with its retro vibes and seaside charm, stole my heart on our last visit, but let’s be real: it’s not always a seamless ride (pun intended) for neurodiverse little ones. As someone who’s advocated for better access in places like this, I pulled together what I wish I’d known before our trip, focusing … Read more
Celebrating Your Child’s Unique Interests Every autistic child is unique, with their own passions, preferences, and ways of engaging with the world. Many autistic children find joy and comfort in objects, patterns, or activities like lining up toys, spinning objects, or diving deep into a favorite topic like trains or video games. These interests are … Read more
How Autistic Individuals Navigate a Richer Sensory Soundscape Dear parents, carers, and allies, if you have an autistic loved one, you’ve likely witnessed their unique way of experiencing the world. This often includes a profound and intense relationship with sound. Far from being a mere “deficit” in hearing, many autistic individuals describe a sensory world … Read more
Managing Screen Time for Autistic Kids: Effective Strategies Your autistic child doesn’t need a phone at seven. They don’t need unrestricted iPad access either. This isn’t about being cruel or old-fashioned; it’s about understanding how screens affect developing autistic brains differently. The Autistic Brain and Screen Appeal Autistic children often gravitate towards screens more intensely … Read more
Autism Disclosure: What Changes When You Know? Imagine this. You’re eleven years old. You’ve just worked up the courage to answer a question in class. You get it right. But someone sniggers. You don’t know why. Maybe it’s the way you said it. Maybe it’s your tone. Maybe it’s the fact that you always seem … Read more
Do Teacher Assumptions Undermine Autistic Communication in Class? You’ve likely heard that autistic children struggle with communication. It’s baked into training materials, diagnosis criteria, and staffroom chat. But what if that assumption is wrong? New research challenges the idea that autistic communication is broken. It shows that the real issue isn’t ability, it’s misalignment. When … Read more
How to Prepare for an Autism Specialist Role Interview Securing an interview for an autism specialist role in a school marks an exciting step towards a fulfilling career supporting autistic individuals. My background is in education but this article will be relevant to care and other support settings. Thorough preparation demonstrates your commitment and enhances … Read more
A Report On Autism Advocates and Neurodiversity-Affirming Researchers The understanding of autism has undergone a significant evolution in recent years, moving beyond a singular focus on deficits to embrace the concept of neurodiversity. This paradigm shift acknowledges the inherent variability in human neurocognitive functioning and recognizes autism as a natural variation rather than solely a … Read more
The Gut-Brain Connection: Exploring Nutrition for Autistic Children Imagine your child’s tummy as a bustling control centre, quietly chatting with their brain all day long. It’s not just digesting lunch it might be influencing how they feel, act, or even sleep. For autistic children, this gut-brain connection is more than a quirky science tidbit; it’s … Read more
What is LEGO Therapy and How Does it Transform Lives? LEGO® therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking intervention that transforms colourful plastic bricks into powerful tools for developing social skills, communication abilities, and emotional regulation. This evidence-based approach has gained significant recognition among therapists, teachers, and parents worldwide for its effectiveness in helping autistic children … Read more
Navigating Overdiagnosis in Developmental Disorders: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective When it comes to understanding our children’s unique ways of processing the world, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Overdiagnosis in developmental disorders like ADHD and autism has sparked considerable debate among families, clinicians, and advocates alike. In our journey to support neurodiverse individuals, it’s important to ask: … Read more
Pathological Demand Avoidance vs Oppositional Defiant Disorder Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) or “Pervasive Drive for Autonomy”, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are two conditions that can present with challenging behaviors, often leading to confusion among teachers and parents. This analysis aims to provide a detailed comparison, informed by academic sources, to assist in accurate identification … Read more
Recognizing Signs of Autism in Adult Men Autism is a natural part of human diversity, reflecting a unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world. Autistic individuals often possess distinct strengths, such as deep focus, creative problem-solving, and a heightened awareness of patterns or details. While autism is frequently identified in childhood, many adults—particularly … Read more
Neurodiversity-Affirming Language: A Guide for Inclusive Education Neurodiversity-affirming language is not just a set of rules—it’s a way of thinking that can fundamentally reshape how we view and support every learner. By choosing words that recognise and celebrate neurological differences, educators can help create classrooms where every student feels valued. This guide offers a deep … Read more
You must be logged in to post a comment.