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.
Understanding the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a crucial tool in understanding and measuring autistic traits among adults. Developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and his team at the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge in 2001, the AQ provides valuable insights into the expression of autistic traits in individuals. Its significance and … Read more
The Gendered Exclusion of Neurodivergent, AuDHD Women Historically, autism and ADHD have been viewed as predominantly male conditions, with diagnoses being four times more likely for males than females. This gender bias has led to the systematic exclusion and misunderstanding of neurodivergent women and girls, who often struggle to obtain accurate diagnoses and access appropriate … Read more
What is AuDHD and is it a Special Educational Need? Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or AuDHD if you have both) is a topic of significant interest in the realm of education. As educators, parents, and professionals, understanding the relationship between ADHD, Autism and Special Educational Needs (SEN) is crucial for providing effective … Read more
An Inclusive Summer Holiday Bucket List for Neurodiverse Families The Summer holidays are here (or approaching), which means fun in the sun and plenty of opportunities for memory-making! As a parent raising neurodivergent children, you know that keeping kids engaged and having a good time isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate … Read more
Building Resilience: Social Emotional Learning Strategies for Autistic Children Resilience has emerged as essential in nurturing students’ overall well-being, academic success, and ability to thrive in an increasingly complex world. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) equips young minds with the vital skills to navigate life’s challenges effectively, empowering them to bounce back from adversity with … Read more
Reducing Chewing Behaviours in Autistic Children: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach Chewing behaviours are common among autistic children and individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). These repetitive actions, such as chewing on clothing, biting pens, or random objects, often serve as a self-soothing mechanism. As educators, parents, and caregivers, it’s essential to understand the underlying reasons behind … Read more
The Debate on Behaviour Contracts for Autistic Children: Perspectives and Controversies Introduction Behaviour contracts are widely used in various educational and therapeutic settings to address challenging behaviours and promote positive change. When it comes to autistic children, the use of behaviour contracts has sparked both support and criticism. In this debate, we’ll explore different opinions … Read more
What Is Natural Environment Teaching (NET)? Natural environment teaching (NET) emphasizes teaching skills in the child’s natural settings and daily routines, aligning with their interests and motivations. Despite its play-based nature, NET is a structured method that effectively targets communication, socialization, and other essential skills. This is not an article supporting the approach but sharing … Read more
Communicating with School: A Guide for Parents of Children with Special Needs Having a child with special needs like autism or profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) means developing a strong partnership with the professionals involved in your child’s care and education. Effective communication is absolutely vital for ensuring your child receives the support and … Read more
Vestibular Stimming: Self-Regulation and More Vestibular stimming, also known as vestibular self-stimulatory behaviour, is a type of repetitive movement that provides sensory input to the vestibular system, which is responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation. Many individuals, particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or sensory processing … Read more
Neurodiversity and the Art of Adaptation (Masking and Fawn Response) As we journey into the intricate world of autism, we encounter the visible aspects and the subtle survival mechanisms that shape an individual’s experience. One such phenomenon is fawning, a behaviour deeply intertwined with the neurodiverse landscape. This article will explore the origins, impact, and … Read more
As a dedicated teacher in the U.K., my passion lies in nurturing young minds and helping every child reach their full potential. However, the reality of catering to the diverse needs of students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), within the constraints of the current education system, is a daunting challenge. I will tell … Read more
Simple Sensory Activities for Autistic Teenagers at Home What Are Sensory Activities? Sensory activities engage the senses, including sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, motion, and balance. These activities can vary from simple exercises like listening to soothing music to more complex setups like sensory circuits. They are beneficial for autistic teenagers as they aid sensory … Read more
Why Is Shared Attention Important? Shared attention is the invisible thread that weaves together a child’s world. Imagine a toddler pointing at a fluttering butterfly, eyes wide with wonder. When you follow their gaze, you enter their universe—the realm of shared attention. It’s more than just looking; it’s about seeing together. But why does this … Read more
Joint Attention Ideas Joint attention refers to how people, in this case, children, coordinate attention between social partners concerning objects or events and involves initiating and responding to bids for the shared focus of gaze and action. It is a crucial developmental milestone that emerges in infancy and sets the foundation for more complex social … Read more
Autism, ADHD Stimming and Neurotypical Children: A Guide for Teachers Stimming, also known as self-stimulatory behaviour, is common among autistic individuals and those with ADHD. Repetitive movements or sounds serve important purposes for autistic people. This article looks at what stimming is, why it occurs, and how it can be supported in autistic children and … Read more
Helping Your Autistic Child with Nail Cutting: Strategies and Tips Why Nail Cutting Can Be Difficult Nail cutting can be a challenging experience for many children, especially autistic (ASD) children and those with sensory processing disorders (SPD). Sensory sensitivities, fear of clippers, and discomfort can make this seemingly simple task overwhelming. This is especially true … Read more
Monotropism Questionnaire: A Key to Understanding Inner Autistic/ADHD Experiences Monotropism, a concept coined by Dr. Dinah Murray, Dr. Wendy Lawson, and Mike Lesser, provides profound insights into the cognitive processes of individuals on the autism spectrum. Rather than a broad floodlight of attention, monotropism resembles a focused spotlight, a singular focus. This is closely linked … Read more
What is Kinetic Sand? Kinetic Sand is a sensory toy that feels strangely satisfying. It is 98% regular sand mixed with 2% silicone oil. That tiny bit of oil makes it soft and stretchy. It flows through your fingers like a thick liquid. But when you squeeze it, it holds its shape perfectly. It never … Read more
Exploring Paranoia in the Autistic Community Paranoia poses a significant yet under-recognised challenge for many autistic individuals. While commonly attributed to conditions like schizophrenia, emerging research indicates a prevalence of paranoia within the autistic population comparable to levels observed in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. This observation signals a need to deepen our understanding of paranoia’s … Read more
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