A practical, neuro-affirming toolkit for home, school, and everyday life
Our Strategies for Supporting Autistic Children and Young People booklet is a free downloadable guide created to help parents, carers, and professionals build confidence with supportive, realistic approaches that make day-to-day life easier. It recognises that every autistic child is unique, and focuses on creating environments where children and young people feel safe, understood, and empowered to be their authentic selves.
What This Booklet Covers
This booklet is designed as a “toolkit” of practical strategies. Each section clearly explains:
- What the strategy is
- Why it’s useful
- How to implement it in everyday life
You’ll find supportive approaches that help reduce anxiety, improve communication, and support emotional and sensory regulation, while strengthening connection and understanding.
What’s Inside
The guide includes a wide range of practical supports and approaches, including:
- Understanding behaviour using the ABC model (Antecedent–Behaviour–Consequence) to spot triggers and patterns
- Using affirming and respectful language, including identity-first language and avoiding harmful terms like “high/low functioning”
- Seeing behaviour as communication, and supporting underlying needs rather than punishing distress
- Sensory supports such as chewelry, fidgets, ear defenders, and weighted items
- Regulation supports including co-regulation, low-arousal spaces, sensory breaks, and sensory circuits
- Visual supports such as choice boards, feelings boards, Now/Next boards, one-page profiles,
- Practical communication tips including concrete, literal language and timers for transitions
- A clear introduction to social stories and how to use them effectively
Who It’s For
This resource is helpful for:
- Parents and carers looking for practical ideas that genuinely help
- School staff and support workers who want consistent, inclusive approaches
- Professionals supporting autistic children and young people across settings
Why We Created It
Families often tell us they receive lots of information about autism, but not enough clear, practical guidance about what to do day-to-day — especially when a child is anxious, overwhelmed, struggling with transitions, or finding communication difficult.
We created this booklet to offer supportive strategies that are realistic, flexible, and neuro-affirming. It encourages adults to move away from blame or “fixing” and towards understanding needs, reducing barriers, and building environments where autistic children and young people can thrive.