Free Resources for autism
Sleep
Sleep is often an area of difficulty for autistic children and families, and adults. It can be hard for everyone, and I have met many parents who are sleeping in their children’s rooms, sleeping on the floor next to their child’s bed, sitting in their room for hours waiting for them to fall asleep, and guess what?! I’ve done it all too! It is really hard. I do not have the answers I am afraid, sorry, but I hope these resources will help:
National Autistic Society https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/physical-health/sleep
Sleep Foundation https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/autism-and-sleep
Autistica https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/anxiety-and-autism-hub/sleep-and-anxiety
Neurodivergent Insights https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autism-infographics/autism-and-sleep
The Transmitter: The connection between autism and sleep: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autism-infographics/autism-and-sleep
Dr Charlie Tyack Clinical Psychologist specialising in autism and sleep.
Sheffield Children’s NHS Sleep Environment https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/download/846/autism-resources/14610/bedtime-environment.pdf
Sheffield Children’s NHS Relaxation Strategies (to help sleep)
https://www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/download/846/autism-resources/14634/relaxation-strategies.pdf
Sheffield Children’s NHS Sleep Anxiety in Young Children
Sheffield Children’s NHS Pre-Bedtime Activities
Sleep Strategies for Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism Speaks. Autism Treatment Network)
https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/2018-08/Sleep%20Strategies%20Teens.pdf
Strategies to Improve Sleep for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Autism Speaks. Autism Treatment Network)
https://nassurreybranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/SLEEP-Strategies-to-Improve-Sleep.pdf
Sensory Processing
Many autistic people have sensory processing differences, e.g., some have very strong reactions to sensory information, which can be overwhelming and hard to manage, some are under – sensitive and do not process enough information, some people have a mixture of both of these. Sensory processing differences can impact on many areas of daily life, e.g., wearing certain clothes, managing the classroom or office, eating, focusing on what others are saying, social interactions and learning. However, sensory processing differences are invisible and might not be obvious to others.
Useful Links
National Autistic Society Sensory Differences – a guide for all ages
Autism Tasmania
https://www.autismtas.org.au/about-autism/key-areas-of-difference/sensory-differences/
Griffin Occupational Therapy
Making Sense of Sensory Behaviour (Falkirk Council)
Bristol city council: Bristol Autism Team secondary toolkit
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/files/documents/4019-bristol-autism-team-secondary-toolkit
Government of South Australia: Interoception Parent and Caregiver Booklet
Government of South Australia: Ready to Learn Interoception Kit
Department of Education: South Australia. Applying Interoception Skills in the Classroom
Kelly Mahler (Occupational Therapist who specialises in sensory processing and interoception) https://www.kelly-mahler.com/what-is-interoception/
Videos on Interoception: https://www.kelly-mahler.com/resources/videos/
Interoception: The New Topic in Autism
Corrina Laurie: Sensory Strategies
https://localoffer.haltonchildrenstrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/NAS-Sensory-Guide.pdf
Pooky Knightsmith
Sensory Strategies for Dysregulated Children
Autism: simple ideas for calming
Joanna Grace: Interoception and Emotions
Developmental Stages
All children develop at their own rate, but there are developmental norms, and it can be very helpful to learn about expected stages of development.
Useful Links
First Words Project
https://firstwordsproject.com/about-16by16/
Autism Navigator: Early signs of autism
Emotions & Mental Health
Research shows that neurodivergent people are more vulnerable to mental health difficulties. It considers different reasons why this is the case, e.g., difficulty managing uncertainty increases anxiety, communication differences can contribute to depression, sensory processing differences have been linked to anxiety. However, people are increasingly asking whether the reasons are predominantly because of the interface between a neurodivergent way of being and a world that does not cater for this. I support this view, which does not mean that I reject other views, but this is an important truth for me.
Useful Links
Autistica: Alexithymia
https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/anxiety-and-autism-hub/alexithymia
Embrace Autism
https://embrace-autism.com/empathic-attunement-catching-others-emotions/
Autism Wellbeing
https://www.autismwellbeing.org.uk/post/why-autistic-people-may-experience-intense-emotions
Interoception and mental wellbeing in autistic people
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/interoception-wellbeing
Autism, Interoception, and how to improve your awareness (Neurodivergent Insights)
https://neurodivergentinsights.com/blog/autism-interoception
Zones of Regulation – a colour coded approach to support recognising and regulating emotions
https://zonesofregulation.com/
Videos by Pooky Knightsmith (amazing autistic psychologist)
Emotional Regulation: how to appear calm
Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett: Emotional Management techniques to help an autistic child.
Tony Attwood video on emotional dysregulation
Tony Attwood talking about autism and anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqv8ByLeCz4
How to help your child manage strong emotions:
Sarah Hendrickx: Autism: how anxiety affects everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPD_yzMHJls
Autism and Anxiety (Dr Luke Beardon)
PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)
Some clinicians diagnose PDA, others diagnose individuals as being autistic with a demand avoidance profile. It remains a contentious topic, but demand avoidance is far more recognised than it used to be.
Useful Links
PDA Society
Understanding behaviours
Helpful Approaches with PDA
PDA & Speech and Language Therapy
Libby Hill advice for parents
https://speechandlanguage.info/parents/2020-07-31-pda-tips-for-parents
Tony Attwood: What is PDA?
https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/what-is-pda/
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance syndrome in Children: A guide for parents, teachers, and other professionals (Ruth Fidler, Zara Healy, Phil Christie, Margaret Duncan).
Collaborative Approaches to Learning for Pupils with PDA (Ruth Fidler, Phil Christie).
The Art of Low Demand Parenting (Dr Naomi Fisher & Eliza Fricker)
https://naomi-fisher.mykajabi.com/low-demand-parenting
Autism & Demand Avoidance Course
(Dr Naomi Fisher & Eliza Fricker)
https://naomi-fisher.mykajabi.com/autism-pda
Not Fine in School
https://notfineinschool.co.uk/home
Girls & Women
“The evidence so far supports the existence of a female-typical autism presentation, although further examination of the characteristics and their impact across all genders and ages is needed.” (Hull, Petrides & Mandy, 2020). Research has identified internal and externalised presentations of autistic features, which cuts across gender, but girls often have internalised presentations. This is one of the factors that has been recognised as contributing to missed, incorrect and late diagnosis.
Useful Links
Autistic Girls Network
https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/
Download a free copy of Autism, Girls & Keeping it all Inside
National Autistic Society
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls
Tony Attwood talking about girls and autism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfOHnt4PMFo
Tony Attwood & Michelle Garnett: How to recognise autism in girls
https://attwoodandgarnettevents.com/how-to-recognise-autism-in-girls/
Girls and women and autism: What’s the difference? (Sarah Hendrickx)
Girls and Autism: Flying under the Radar
https://www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk/media/yysods0t/girls_and_autism_-_flying_under_the_radar_0.pdf
Rosie King Ted Talk