Understanding autism PowerPoint resources:

• Understanding autism presentation - for use in 1.5-2hr workshops to give parents and carers a general introduction to autism.

Sensory processing PowerPoint resources:

• Sensory Processing presentation - for use in 1.5-2hr workshop, a general introduction to sensory processing differences and with tips on how to support autistic people
• Sight presentation - short presentation(10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of sight, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Smell presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of smell, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Taste presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of taste, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Hearing presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of hearing, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Touch presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of touch, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Inside body presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of interoception, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Balance presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of balance, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Body awareness presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on the sense of proprioception, hypo- and hypersensitivities and how best to support them
• Stimming presentation - short presentation focussing on specific sense (10-15 minutes), focuses on stimming, its positive aspects and possible harmful effects and how to respond as a parent/carer

Some peer educators may prefer to use a mix of content on the different senses. Examples of how this can be done are saved here: Our senses presentations

Anxiety PowerPoint resources

• Understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdowns and shutdowns presentation - for use in 1-2hr workshop, focuses on helping parents understand how stress and anxiety may impact autistic people and provides practical tips on how best to support them

Additional understanding autism resources

• Understanding autism PDF guide - summary of the information that is covered in the understanding autism presentation. This could be shared with parents/carers as a workshop handout. The PDF is also available to parents directly through their own website login.

The following videos are included in the 'Understanding autism' presentation but can also be accessed individually.

• Autism from different perspectives - Autistic people and parents share their perspectives on autism
• How other aspects of identity impact on the experience of autism - Autistic people and parents talk about identity and autism
• Spiky profile - strengths and challenges - Parents talk about their autistic family members' strengths and challenges
• How others can best support you/ How you support your autistic family members - Autistic people and parents share strategies that work for them
• How parents would like to see society change to support autistic people - Parents talk about their hopes for the future

If you would like to download these videos so that they can be accessed offline, a list of links to access downloadable versions is available here.

Additional sensory processing resources

• Sensory Processing handbook PDF -  summary of the information that is covered in the sensory processing presentations above. This could be shared with parents/carers as a workshop handout. The PDF is also available to parents directly through their own website login.
• Sensory profile worksheet PDF - a worksheet that can be printed out and filled in by parents/ carers, to help them think about their child’s sensory profile and how best to support their needs
• Additional resources - a list with further reading suggestions on sensory processing

Additional resources on 'Understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdowns and shutdowns'

• Understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdowns and shutdowns PDF Handbook - summary of the information that is covered in the 'Understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdowns and shutdowns' presentation. his could be shared with parents/carers as a workshop handout. The PDF is also available to parents directly through their own website login.                                                

Videos on 'Understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdowns and shutdowns'

The following videos are part of the 'Understanding autistic overwhelm' PowerPoint presentation, but can also be accessed individually. In these videos, autistic young people share their experiences around anxiety.

• What causes stress and anxiety levels to increase? (5 min video)
• What are signs of rising stress and anxiety levels? (3 min video)
• What strategies do you use when stress and anxiety levels rise? (6 min video)
• How can others support you with stress and anxiety? (4 min video)
• Meltdowns and shutdowns (6 min video)
• The impact of masking on stress and anxiety (6 min video)
• What key piece of advice would you offer to parents of an autistic child? (2 min video)

If you would like to download these videos so that they can be accessed offline, a list of links to access downloadable versions is available here.

Terminology Guide

Access the Autism Central Terminology Guide to read more about the language we use to talk about autism as part of this programme.

• Autism Central Terminology Guide

• Good autism practice in education settings presentation - for use in 1.5-2hr workshops - To help parents/carers understand what good autism practice in education settings looks like, what reasonable adjustments should be offered, how to communicate effectively with school. 
• A PDF version that can be shared with parents/carers after a session is available
   
• One page profiles presentation - for use in 1.5-2hr workshops - To help parents/carers understand how to use One Page Profiles in educational settings, as a tool to highlight an autistic child or young person's individuality.
• A PDF version that can be shared with parents/carers after a session is available.
   
• Getting extra help in educational settings - for use in 2hr workshops - Explains what additional help autistic children are entitled to in educational settings.
• A PDF version that can be shared after sessions is available.
   
• Transitions to primary school - for use in 2hr workshops - advice for parents on how to support their child with the transition to primary school. 
• A PDF version that can be shared after sessions is available.
   
• Transitions to secondary school - for use in 2hr workshop - advice for parents on how to support their child with the transition to secondary school
• A PDF version that can be shared after sessions is available.

Finding the right school

• Choosing the right school for your child - PDF Guide for parents/carers on questions they may consider asking when choosing a school for their child. This resource can be printed out and could be taken into meetings with schools. It has room for parents and carers to add their own notes. Could be handed out in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• Choosing a school for your child - Video (7 mins) explaining how parents could use the PDF guide above. Different parents share their experiences and advice on finding the right school for autistic children. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• Choosing the right school for your child - Video (11 mins) - parents talk about choosing alternative education settings for their children and what has worked for their families.

If you would like to download the video in this section so that it can be accessed offline, this is available here.

Good autism practice in education settings

• 8 Principles for supporting your child in early years settings - PDF guide to help parents/carers understand how their autistic child can be supported at nursery or in other Early Years settings, and to help prepare for meetings with staff.
  Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• 8 Principles for supporting your child in early years settings - Video (3 mins) to support PDF above which features other parents talking about their experiences. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• 8 Principles for supporting your child at school - PDF Guide to help parents/carers understand how their autistic child can be supported in secondary school, and to help them prepare for meetings with staff. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• 8 Principles for supporting your child at school - Video (5 mins) to support PDF above which features other parents talking about their experiences. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• 8 Principles for supporting your child in a post-16 setting - PDF Guide to help parents/carers understand how their autistic child can be supported in post-16 settings, and to help them prepare for meetings with staff. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• 8 Principles for supporting your child in a post-16 setting - Video (3 mins) to support PDF above which features other parents talking about their experiences. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.

If you would like to download these videos so that they can be accessed offline, a list of links to access downloadable versions is available here.

Getting additional help at school

• Getting extra help in school or other settings - PDF guide to expand on the information in the 'Getting extra help' PowerPoint presentation. This PDF pack could be handed out to parents in workshop or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• Making a request for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment - PDF guide to provide parents/carers with the knowledge and expertise to apply to their local authority for an EHC needs assessment.
• Education jargon buster - PDF Guide to explain many of the common terms used when working with education settings or local authorities.

One page profiles

• One Page Profile worksheet - A PDF template for a One Page Profile with a completed example. A One Page Profile is a tool that can be used to highlight an autistic child or adult's individuality and maps out different aspects such as their likes, dislikes, goals, ambitions, what is important to them and more.
   

Dealing with school stress and anxiety

• School stress and anxiety - PDF Guide on school stress and anxiety. It explains common reasons for stress and anxiety and offers strategies to overcome barriers to inclusion in school. The guide gives parents/ carers ideas on what schools could do to help pupils to reduce stress and anxiety. The resource could be shared with education professionals.
• The impact of school stress - Video (3 mins) about the difficulties autistic children may face at school which explains how this can lead to distressed behaviour at home or at school and lead to school attendance difficulties. The video provides some practical tips for parents to identify potential stress factors at school. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.

If you would like to download the video in this section so that it can be accessed offline, this is available here.

Exclusions

• Reasonable adjustments - Video (10 mins) about the rights and entitlements of autistic pupils and what schools need to offer under the Equality Act 2010. Explains what reasonable adjustments at school are, and how they can help avoid suspensions and exclusions. Could be shared in workshops or parents/carers can access this resource through their own login.
• School exclusions -  PDF Guide to help parents navigate equality law, rights and entitlements, when their autistic child is excluded or at risk of exclusion from school. The guide contains information on disability discrimination, disability-related behaviour and reasonable adjustments. This PDF could be shared by peer educators in sessions with parents/ carers and may also be useful to share with education professionals. Parents can also access this through their login.
• Steps to avoid exclusions - PDF Guide to explain the steps school should take to avoid the exclusion of autistic pupils. It offers information on the SEN support cycle, reasonable adjustments and EHC Needs Assessments. This PDF could be shared by peer educators in sessions with parents/ carers and may also be useful to share with education professionals. Parents can also access this resource directly through their login.
   
• Steps to avoid exclusions - Video (6 minutes) on steps to avoid exclusions of autistic pupils from school.
• Successful reintegration of autistic pupils - PDF Guide to explain what schools can do to help with the reintegration of autistic pupils after a suspension. This includes a number of reintegration strategies for schools. This PDF could be shared by peer educators in sessions with parents/ carers and may also be useful to share with education professionals. Parents can also access this resource directly through their login.
• Returning to school after an extended absence - Video (13 minutes) In this video parents talk about their autistic children who returned to school after an extended absence and what they found helpful.

If you would like to download the video in this section so that it can be accessed offline, this is available here.
 

Working with schools and other educational settings

• Preparing for meetings - PDF Guide with tips for parents/carers on how to prepare for meetings with educational professionals with ideas for discussion points.
• Working in partnership to create meaningful outcomes - PDF Guide on working in partnerships with schools or other educational settings to create meaningful outcomes.
• Thriving Together: Parents and Schools - PDF Guide presenting real life stories of collaboration between parents and schools, collated by AET and NNPCF.

Reflections on bullying

• Reflections on bullying - PDF guide written by autistic young people on bullying, including useful resources for parents and carers.

Wellbeing videos

The following videos could be used as part of workshops and feature exercises which could be completed as a group. Alternatively, the parents/carers can access these videos through their own login.

• Am I doing this all wrong - Video (20 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on the impact of self-critical thinking on parents and what we can do to be more compassionate with ourselves. 
• Dealing with other people - Video (20 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on how to deal with other people and feelings of blame and shame that many parents can experience.
• Looking after yourself - Video (20 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on how to look after yourself when it's difficult to find time away from your children.
• Not what I signed up for - Video (23 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on the gap of expectations versus reality in relation to parenting, and how we can let go of unhelpful expectations.
• Why do I feel so drained - Video (22 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on how we can focus on increasing the number of things in our lives which recharge our emotional batteries.

• I can't relax - Video (20 mins) by Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker on dealing with feeling constantly on edge as a parent and some practical suggestions for a reset.

  If you would like to download the videos in this section so that they can be accessed offline for workshops, a list of download links is available here.
   

The following videos could be used as part of workshops and feature exercises which could be completed as a group. Alternatively, the parents/carers can access these videos through their own login.

Working with school (18 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker discuss how parents/ carers can effectively work with schools to achieve the best outcomes for their autistic children.

Reasonable adjustments and EHCPs (15 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker discuss what parents/ carers can do to access additional support for their autistic child at school.

Why school is hard (20 minutes) - School can be hard for many autistic children. Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker look at the reasons for this and discuss what parents/ carers and educators can do to help.

School attendance problems (19 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker discuss the reasons why many autistic children find attending school difficult and what parents/ carers can do to help.

Deciding about school (21 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker discuss what parents/ carers may need to consider when thinking about taking their child out of school.

Education outside of school (23 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker talk about alternative ways to access education for young people who cannot go to school.

Recovering from school (22 minutes) - Dr Naomi Fisher and Eliza Fricker discuss the stages of recovery that many children go through when they leave school and how parents/ carers can best support them during this time.

If you would like to download the videos in this section so that they can be accessed offline for workshops, a list of download links is available here.
 

• Personal Budgets and Personal Assistants workshop presentation - A PowerPoint presentation for a 2 hour session with parents/ carers on personal budgets and how to hire a Personal Assistant (PA).
• Personal Budgets and Personal Assistants PDF guide - A PDF guide to accompany the workshop presentation. This could be shared with parents/ carers as a handout. Parents and carers can also access this directly through their LMS login.
   

Resources to support wellbeing

Autism and mental wellbeing workshop - PowerPoint presentation for use in 1-1.5hr workshops with parents/carers. This presentations aims to support parents/carers in understanding the autistic experience, common mental health difficulties and how to support the wellbeing of autistic family members proactively.

Autism and mental wellbeing PDF guide - A PDF summary guide is available that could be shared with parents/carers after a session.

Resources on play

Play workshop - PowerPoint presentation for use in 1.5 - 2hr workshops with parents/carers. This presentation gives an introduction to why play is important and provides tips and ideas for play with your child.

Play PDF - PDF Guide on play for parents/carers to be handed out in workshops. This can also be accessed by parents/carers directly through their login.

Resources on toileting

Toileting workshop - PowerPoint presentation for use in 1.5 - 2hr workshops with parents/carers. This presentation looks at factors that can affect toileting and provides tips and strategies to try at home.

Toileting PDF - PDF Guide on toileting to be handed out in workshops. This can also be accessed by parents/carers directly through their login.

Resources on sleep

Sleep workshop - PowerPoint for use in 1.5 - 2hr workshops with parents/ carers. This presentation gives an overview of common sleep issues and tips and strategies that can help.

Sleep PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on siblings

Siblings workshop - PowerPoint for use in 1.5 - 2hr workshops with parents/ carers. This presentation explores feelings that children might have and how parents/ carers can best support them.

Siblings PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on eating

ARFID workshop - PowerPoint for use in 1.5 - 2hr workshops with parents/ carers. This presentation looks at Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and how to support autistic children/adults with eating challenges.

ARFID PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on holidays and days out

Holidays workshop - PowerPoint for use in 1-1.5hr workshops with parents/ carers. This presentation offers tips and advice for planning holidays and days out with autistic family members.

Holidays PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on family celebrations and events

Family celebrations and events workshop - A PowerPoint presentation for a 1-1.5 hour session to provide some tips and advice for parents/ carers on how to navigate family events and celebrations.

Family celebrations and events PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on demand avoidance

Demand avoidance workshop - A PowerPoint presentation for a 1-1.5 hour session focussing on demand avoidance and what parents can do to help.

Demand avoidance PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on supporting autistic parents

Supporting autistic parents workshop - A PowerPoint presentation for a 1-1.5hr session aimed at parents who are exploring their own autistic identity and/or considering a diagnosis, looking at masking and positives and challenges of being an autistic parent.

Supporting autistic parents PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning workshop - A PowerPoint presentation for a 1-1.5hr session to help improve parents'/carers' understanding of executive functioning differences and how best to support.

Executive Functioning PDF - PDF summary of slides that could be sent to parents/ carers after a workshop.

Resources on transitions to adulthood

Transitions to adulthood workshop - PowerPoint presentation for use in 1-1.5 hour workshops with parents/carers. This presentation focuses on post-school options, social care support and independent or supported living.

Transitions to adulthood - PDF Guide for parents and carers. This could be used as a handout during a workshop session or can also be accessed by parents/carers directly through their login.

Anxiety checklist - A checklist of activities that can help young people who feel anxious when going through a transition period.

Distress scale - Some people may find it helpful to use this distress scale to 'check in' with themselves in times of anxiety, when going through a transition period.

One page profile - A profile page for young people to record their likes and dislikes, to share with others and help them offer better support.

Checklist to compare colleges/universities - A checklist to help autistic young people assess which college/university may be most suitable for them.

Checklist to compare social care provision - A checklist to assess what is available in terms of social care provision and what may be most suitable.

Template letter to request a Social Care Assessment for under-18s - A template letter for parents/carers to download and fill in.

Template letter to request a Social Care Assessment for over-18s - A template letter for parents/carers to download and fill in.

Supporting mental health needs in schools workshop - PowerPoint presentation for use in 1.5-2 hour workshops with parents/carers. This presentation explores the reason why school can be hard for many autistic children and young people and what parents/carers and schools can do to help.

Supporting mental health needs in schools PDF - a PDF version of the presentation is available, that can be shared with parents/ carers after a workshop.