Autism Resources for Children

An information booklet for parents on autism spectrum disorders and related conditions is available online here. This booklet includes information on what autism is, adjusting to a diagnosis, where to get help and support, information for school-aged children and young people, support for transitioning into adulthood and recommended further reading.

We also recommend that that the family, and other professionals working with your child, look at the National Autistic Society (NAS) website – www.autism.org.uk

The NAS has lots of useful information and resources to support families and children following a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including how to discuss the diagnosis with your child, which can be found here.

The Girl with the Curly Hair is a social enterprise that aims to help people understand autism using animations, comic strips and diagrams to make their work accessible (information is for girls and boys) – www.thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk

‘Amazing Things Happen’ is a short introductory YouTube video about autism, which may be helpful to share with your child, extended family or their peers. It can help them become more aware of life from your child’s perspective.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwRrVw-CRo

Advice from the NAS for families about discussing a diagnosis of Autism with a child or young person can be found at www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/disclosing-your-autism/parents-and-carers

Ambitious about Autism has some resources including videos about other children and young people’s experiences.

www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/information-about-autism/preparing-for-adulthood/making-sense-of-your-autism-diagnosis

There are a wealth of books out there for all ages to promote neurodiversity and help children and young people understand their autism. The Book Trust have put together a lovely list. But don’t forget to check out your local library!

www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/a/aspergers-syndrome-and-autism/

The environment has a huge impact on autistic people and creating the right one for your child might seem overwhelming. The NAS has a wealth of information on a range of ethical and evidence-based approaches, which can be accessed at www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/strategies-and-interventions

The Autism Education Trust has lots of advice for parents and schools throughout their school life – www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk

Transitions can be difficult for autistic people. Here is some advice and support around how to offer support – www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transitions

Emotions may be challenging for your child, both understanding their own and those around them. The Zones of Regulation can offer a useful tool to help them recognise their early warning signs and find the strategy to support them – https://zonesofregulation.com/sharing-the-zones.html

Beacon House is a website offering a number of free and accessible resources. It may be able to provide some helpful information with regard to early developmental trauma that could be impacting upon your child’s development. Visit www.beaconhouse.org.uk/resources for more information.

This practical toolkit contains a wealth of straightforward information in one place to guide parents and carers through their child’s journey. From the autism assessment process to everyday life in school and at home, this toolkit is packed with practical tips and checklists to support parents and school staff. It also provides signposts to sources of support or additional information.

The parent toolkit aimed at preschoolers but would still be useful for some school-aged children, which you can find at www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/information-about-autism

It can be common for a young person to have a restricted diet or show strong preferences. The NAS gives specific advice around food and eating www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/eating/all-audiences.

The support available from your child’s school is outlined in the SEND Information Report, published on the school website. This report provides information about a school’s individual arrangements for identifying, assessing and making provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities. School should also access advice and training from the SENAS and SALT services if required.

Educational Psychology
Educational Psychologists are able to provide consultation and assessment within education which focus on a child’s needs with regard to accessing education and learning.

If there are educational concerns regarding your child, please discuss these with school staff (e.g. teacher, SENCo) in the first instance. Staff can then consider if school-based assessment or intervention may address these concerns, or whether to discuss support from any other services, e.g. Educational Psychology.

KIDS Sleep Service, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service or SENDIASS.
Free, confidential and impartial service for parents and carers, children and young people (up to 25 years).

www.kids.org.uk

Early Help

When a member of the family has a problem, it generally has an impact on the whole family. Early Help will work to support everyone in order to improve the situation. With your consent, a lead practitioner will speak to you about you and your family. You will then complete the Early Help Assessment together.

Health Visitor is the 0-11 years’ public Health Nursing Team, led by Health Visitors who provide key visits during a child’s first five years. Continuing support is available if required to age 19 years. Additional help can be given with health issues, behaviour, sleep, bed wetting, identifying early developmental delay.

• Telephone numbers for Health visitors in Hull are 01482 336634/344301 Monday- Friday 8.30-5.00pm.
• Telephone numbers for East Riding Health Visitors are: Cottingham, Hessle, Brough and surrounding villages 01482 335010, North Holderness Team Beverley/Hornsea 01482 677618, South Holderness Team Hedon/Withernsea 01482 344455, Goole Team – Goole, Howden, Gilberdyke and Snaith 01405 752931 or Bridlington Team 01262 400565.

There has been increasing recognition of autistic girls over the last decade, debunking the myth that there are more autistic boys than girls. Here is a collection of resources that specifically address the needs of autistic girls.

The Autism in Pink project was an EU Lifelong Learning Programme funded partnership between four European organisations to research and educate about autism (including Asperger syndrome) in women. They have put together a documentary called Autism in Pink which you can see on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-FvExDAqh8

Sarah Hendrickx is an autistic adult. She speaks about her experiences, particularly as an autistic woman, and her videos can be accessed here. www.asperger-training.com/videos

Robyn Steward is an autistic adult. She also speaks about her experiences as an autistic woman. www.robynsteward.com

Rosie King is another young woman who speaks about her experiences as an autistic woman. www.ted.com/speakers/rosie_king

You can listen to Tony Attwood’s talk on Autism in Females, where he discusses some of the differences we see in girls at www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfOHnt4PMFo

Girls and Autism: Flying under the radar offers a mini guide including some practical strategies. www.nasen.org.uk/resources/girls-and-autism-flying-under-radar

The National Autistic Society (NAS) offers an online training module specifically about Women and Girls.
www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/professional-development/training-and-conferences/online/women-and-girls

There are groups who focus on bringing together autistic girls and women:

Autistic Girl’s Network
www.autisticgirlsnetwork.org

Autistic Women and Girls Hampshire Support
www.autismhampshire.org.uk/about-autism/women-and-girls-on-the-autism-spectrum

Books written by female autistic advocates
The Girl with the Curly Hair – Asperger’s and Me by Alis Rowe
The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods by Robyn Stewart
The Secret Life of Rose: Inside An Autistic Head by Miss Rose Smitten and Mrs Jodie Smitten

Support for Parents:

Young Minds Parent Support Information
Parents helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
Call for free on: 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am – 4pm, Mon – Fri
www.youngminds.org.uk/parent

TIC+ Parent Support Line
www.ticplus.org.uk/parents-carers/
0800 652 5675
Drop in, free, anonymous, confidential helpline MON 5pm – 9pm, TUES 9:30am – 1pm, WEDS 5pm – 9pm, SAT 9:30am – 1pm

Family Lives
www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help
0808 800 2222

CAMHS Crisis Team
They can provide support for young people under 18 who are experiencing extreme emotional distress and are struggling to cope due to a mental health crisis.
Telephone: 01482 301701 (option 2) between 5pm and 9am Monday to Friday. Also available on weekends and bank holidays.

Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond Support Hub
Provide advice and information to families, parents, and carers of children who have been struggling during the pandemic.
0800 1577015
www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond/carer-referral

Anxiety UK
Support and information. Provides therapeutic services and can put you in touch with therapists and reduced cost therapy and helplines. Instant messaging service for support.

www.anxietyuk.org.uk
0844 477 5774 (Mon – Fri exc. bank holidays, 10:30am – 4:30pm)

Get Self Help
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been proven to help mental health problems. This website provides CBT self-help and therapy resources, worksheets, and information sheets and self-help mp3s.

www.getselfhelp.co.uk/selfhelp.htm

Mind
www.mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393
Information on where to find support groups in your area and where to go for more help.

Moodjuice
www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
Online self-help to promote positive emotional wellbeing, including anxiety.

Sleep Teen Hub
www.teensleephub.org.uk
They offer great hints and tips with downloadable resources in relation to sleep.
Email: info@thesleepcharity.org.uk

No Panic
www.nopanic.org.uk
Telephone: 03007729844 (Everyday 10am-10pm, 365 days of the year)
Registered charity which helps people who suffer from panic attacks, phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders.

Teens in Crisis (TIC+)
www.ticplus.org.uk
Tel: 01594 372777
Text: 07520 634063 or email: admin@ticplus.org.uk

Counselling service for young people aged between 9-21, providing face-to-face and online support via chat and text message service. Also has a Parent Support and Advice Line – 0800 6525675

The Mix
www.themix.org.uk
Freephone number: 0808 808 4994 (11am – 11pm)
Crisis text line 24/7 by texting THEMIX TO 85258
Supporting young people under 25 through a range of difficulties, including exam stress, mental health, homelessness, drugs, money, abuse, bullying, etc.

Young Minds
www.youngminds.org.uk
Support across the UK for young people experiencing a mental health crisis and advice of where to seek support. Text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger, free 24/7. If you need urgent help, text YM to 85258.
Parent Help Line: 0808 802 5544

www.stressandanxietyinteenagers.com
What causes stress and how to manage it.

Blue Ice
Prescribed evidence-based App to help young people manage their emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, toolbox of evidence-based techniques to reduce distress, and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue.

www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/blueice/

CALM
Calm can help you meditate, sleep, relax and much more.

www.calm.com

Focus on the Go
Free family-based games to support children (4 years and over) in managing and understanding emotions. Play along with Buddy Bear and Feeling Fox as they learn to talk about their feelings and learn new skills that help keep their family and friendships strong. Practise understanding and sharing your feelings and collect tools for calming down in challenging situations.

www.focusproject.org/mobile-app/

For Me
A free App from Childline. From advice to message boards, you can get everything you need from Childline in an App. It’s quick, easy and you can lock it with a PIN. By downloading the App, you’re in control. You can talk to us whenever – and wherever – you need to. This is your place to do what you want.

www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/for-me

Headspace
This “gym membership for your mind” features meditation and mindfulness techniques to help manage stress and anxiety, improve well-being, and become happier overall. The series of guided meditations is designed to train your brain in just 10 minutes a day, with the ability to track and reward yourself for progress, along with a buddy system so that you can stay motivated and help others do the same.

www.headspace.com

Mindshift
An App to help with worry, conflict, tests, anxiety, social fears. Struggling with anxiety? Tired of missing out? There are things you can do to stop anxiety and fear from controlling your life. MindShift is designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. It can help you change how you think about anxiety. Rather than trying to avoid anxiety, you can make an important shift and face it.

www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt

Recharge
www.au.reachout.com/tools-and-apps

Stay Alive
A pocket suicide prevention resource focusing on suicide prevention. Packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. Use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

www.preventsuicide.org.uk