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.
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
Understanding Climbing Behaviors in Autistic Children Climbing behaviours don’t come with an easy fix and is something we encounter in our schools repeatedly. It is understandably a concerning behaviour if it happens in the house or classroom. We have had children trying to stand on the top of doors, any cupboard they can find. So … Read more
Understanding Hyperactive Autism Hyperactivity and autism can significantly alter their learning, social interaction, and overall quality of life. Understanding what triggers this hyperactivity, its effects, and how to manage it is crucial for both caregivers and educators to provide the best support possible. This is different to talking about ADHD and Autism or AuDHD What … Read more
The Two Sides of Sensory Experience in Autism Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to sensory input, such as sights, sounds, smells, and textures. This is because their brains have difficulty filtering out this information. As Dr. Luke Bearden, a senior lecturer and Autism researcher at Sheffield Hallam University, explains, while a non-autistic person’s brain filters … Read more
Understanding Autism Overstimulation: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach Overstimulation is a term that resonates within the autistic community. It describes a state where sensory input becomes overwhelming, often leading to distress, discomfort, or shutdowns. This article explores overstimulation, offering insights into its causes, impacts, and supportive strategies. Overstimulation is not just an issue for autistic individuals but … Read more
What is Asynchronous Development? Parenting a neurodivergent child is a journey that defies traditional milestones and expectations. It’s filled with moments of wonder, unexpected challenges, and insights that few outside the community fully understand. One of the most fascinating and often overlooked aspects of neurodivergence is asynchronous development, where a child’s emotional, motor, social, and … Read more
Autism Is No Puzzle: Why Is The Puzzle Piece Offensive> The puzzle piece has long been associated with autism, but for many autistic individuals and their allies, this symbol is outdated and offensive. While it may have started as a well-meaning emblem for awareness, its history and associations have turned it into a reminder of … Read more
Autism Blame Shifting: Why Parents Are Tired of Being the Scapegoat When Sarah noticed her daughter’s unique behaviours, she expected challenges in finding support, but she wasn’t prepared for something even harder: being blamed for her child’s struggles. Instead of empathy and assistance, she faced accusations of poor parenting. Sadly, Sarah’s story is far from … Read more
Dismantling the Culture of Parental Blame: A Call for Change in Supporting Autistic Children and Their Families Parents of autistic children often face an uphill battle when seeking support and understanding for their children’s needs. Instead of receiving the empathy and collaboration they deserve, they are frequently met with judgement, disbelief, and blame from the … Read more
Retrieval Practice: Supporting SLD Students Teaching students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) is as much about creativity and understanding as it is about specific pedagogical approaches. It can feel overwhelming to find methods that work for a diverse group of learners. Yet, amidst the noise of educational trends, one approach stands out for its simplicity … Read more
Societal stigma and misconceptions about autism play a significant role in perpetuating parental blame. This is our second article based on the new ADASS research project which includes a section that demonstrates how cultural attitudes and beliefs shape the perception of autistic individuals and their families. This can often lead to harmful stereotypes that result … Read more
Transforming Professional Practices and Service Systems in Schools to Better Support Autistic Children and Their Families Creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for autistic children requires a systemic overhaul that goes beyond superficial adjustments. This comprehensive plan outlines steps schools can take to transform their practices, ensuring they not only support autistic pupils but … Read more
A Guide for Parents Facing Blame With Their Autistic Child The experience of raising a child with autism can be a challenging and rewarding journey. However, for many parents, the path is fraught with misunderstanding, judgement, and, often, blame from the very professionals they turn to for support. This article, drawing from our own experiences … Read more
Compulsive Posting in Autistic Children: Structured Strategies Autistic Children often engage in sensory-seeking behaviours that may seem puzzling or even frustrating for parents and teachers. One such behaviour, compulsive “posting,” involves placing small items into gaps or spaces, leading to the loss of toys, puzzle pieces, PECS symbols and pencils. If you’re finding that your … Read more
Understanding Figurative Language and Autism in the Classroom The traditional narrative around autism and figurative language has long focused on perceived deficits. However, recent scholarship, particularly Damian Milton’s double empathy theory, suggests we need a paradigm shift in how we conceptualise these challenges. What if the difficulty lies not solely with autistic individuals, but in … Read more
Face Recognition and Social Communication: The Impact on Nonverbal Interaction Face recognition is an integral part of human social interaction, playing a crucial role in nonverbal communication. We rely on faces to identify individuals, interpret their emotions, infer their intentions, and respond appropriately. However, for some individuals on the autism spectrum, navigating the complexities of … Read more
Supporting Autistic Children Through Disappointment: A Parent’s Guide As parents, we all want to shield our children from the pain of disappointment. However, disappointment is an inevitable part of life, and learning to cope with it is a crucial skill for emotional resilience and personal growth. For autistic children, who may struggle with unexpected change, … Read more
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