National Autistic Society Provides support, guidance and advice for autistic people and their families. Families can access information on the website directly and your child does not need a confirmed diagnosis.
Ambitious about autism Provide information and guidance about understanding autism, behaviours, early years, education and transition to adulthood. They also have a collection of videos and blogs, all written or featuring autistic young people themselves, designed to explain diagnosis, autistic identity and everything that surrounds it. Young people can access these directly, or with parental support as needed, to help them begin to understand autism and their experiences and build a positive self-identity which in turn will support their wellbeing.
Kent Autistic Trust support services that are personalised and specific to each individual and we aim to ensure that each person gets the right balance of support that they need to be as successful as possible in all areas of their life provide opportunities that encourage people to grow, take risks and learn the skills they need.
Autism Toolbox provides support across a range of topics and family support
Resources for parents at home
The NHS autism and everyday life have also created a resource on how to help your autistic child day-to-day.
Supporting Autistic Teens
Resources – Autistic Girls Network
Ask Autism’, a series of online modules developed by autistic people
My Hospital Passport, a resource for autistic people who might need hospital treatment
Resources for young people available on this website Autism Resources | Autism Alliance (autism-alliance.org.uk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JdCY-cdgkI cartoon explanation of ASD
https://www.youtube.com/user/AspieWorld1
https://kooth.com/ – XenZone is a provider of online mental health services for children, young people and adults. Kooth, from XenZone, is an online counselling and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop and free at the point of use.
For more information about XenZone, please visit XENZONE.COM. If you’re a parent looking for more information about Kooth, please email PARENTS@XENZONE.COM
The Girl with the Curly Hair books: ‘Asperger’s Syndrome in 13-16year olds’; ‘Asperger’s Syndrome and https://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pg/TheGirlWithTheCurlyHair/about/?ref=page_internal – Monitored social media website.
http://martinantony.com/publications/ download publications for free, eg: overcome fear of animals
http://astraldrivejunior.ednet.ns.ca/worksheets.pdf materials and worksheets, ‘Anxiety’ by Paul Stallard
(have pdfs in folder)
Supporting Siblings
This booklet is helpful for siblings understand the diagnosis and support their brother or sister In below resources.
Sibling support https://www.sibs.org.uk/
This is the Kent government information for Educational Health and Care Plans. What you need to know. Advice on support in school and groups in the local Kent area.
Kelsi website provides you EHCP templates and information on the annual reviews.
IPSEA offers information and advice regarding any educational issues that is a result of a child’s special educational needs or disability (SEND). They also have training for parents and carers.
National Organisations
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) Provides free legally based advice on educational issues for parents of children with special educational needs.
SEND code of Practice 0-25 is guidance on special educational provision.
Twinkl has put together some advice around teaching autistic children in the classroom
The National Autistic Society has a helpline around education support and advice.
Free advice for Kent parents: https://www.iask.org.uk/
Quiet Hours here at Knole which I thought might benefit some of your group. They are opening their showrooms an hour early to welcome those who might have sensory issue or could find crowds and loud spaces overwhelming. The tickets are free we just ask that everyone books before they come.
You can book online here:
Thursday 23rd May https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole/events/cf43e2bb-c6e1-479e-a753-987b7272768e
Saturday 22nd June https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/knole/events/bda50205-e946-453b-a7ea-5ab4a5fbaac7
Space2BeMe – Making a difference to the lives of disabled children and their families
Bessels Green Autism Group Bessels Green ASD Group (autism.org.uk)
Rainbow Rides: https://www.rainbowponyrides.org/
Tonbridge Youth Hub
The National Autistic Society has created helpful videos to watch of autistic young people describing their experience around sensory overload. Please see the video below and their other informative videos on processing information and anxiety.
Too Much Information and Us | Sensory Overloads – YouTube
Making Sense of Your Senses is a helpful booklet to discuss how we process our senses and sensory preferences by the Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. They have also created some helpful sensory tips on this document for families.
