Parent guides

38 practical guides for UK parents and carers of autistic children. Each one starts with a short answer, links every fact to its source and says how strong the evidence is.

Signs, assessment and diagnosis

Noticing differences, getting an autism assessment for your child in the UK, and what to do while you wait and after a diagnosis.

What is autism? A plain-English guide for parentsA calm, sourced guide to what autism is and isn't: the spectrum, how common it is, genes, the vaccine and paracetamol myths, and the words used in UK reports.17 minute read Signs of autism in young children, and when to ask for helpWhat autism can look like at different ages, what doesn't rule it out, autism or speech delay, loss of skills, and how to raise concerns with your GP, health visitor or SENCO.12 minute read Waiting for an autism assessment? What you can do nowYou don't have to wait for a diagnosis to help your child. Practical steps for home, nursery or school, money, your referral and your own wellbeing while you wait.17 minute read What happens at a child's autism assessment in the UKFrom the first GP visit to the written report: who assesses your child, what they do, how to prepare you both, and what to check before paying privately.12 minute read Right to Choose for children's autism assessments in England, explainedA neutral guide to Right to Choose for a child's autism assessment in England: how to ask your GP, what to check, and what the 2025 to 2026 pauses mean.8 minute read Just diagnosed: your first 12 weeks after an autism diagnosisA calm, week-by-week plan for the first three months after diagnosis: understanding the report, school support, parent courses, money, telling people and your own wellbeing.13 minute read Telling your child they are autistic, at every ageWhy telling children early, simply and positively tends to go better, with example words for each age and answers to 'Will it go away?'12 minute read

Communication and play

Supporting talking, signing, pictures and AAC at home, and playing together in ways that work for your child.

Will my autistic child talk? Speech, signing, pictures and AACAn honest look at whether autistic children learn to talk, what helps at home, why signs, pictures and AAC don't stop speech, and how to get speech and language therapy.15 minute read Signing, pictures or an AAC app: which suits your child?A plain comparison of signing, picture exchange, picture boards and apps that speak, with the evidence, how to model, and how to get AAC and funding in the UK.13 minute read Echolalia and scripting: why your child repeats words and phrasesWhy autistic children repeat words, phrases and lines from TV, how to respond to the meaning, and an honest look at gestalt language processing.10 minute read Playing with your autistic child: following their leadWhy lining up, spinning and repeating are real play, how to join in on your child's terms, simple people games with a pause, and what the research found.12 minute read

Routines and visual supports

Now and Next boards, visual timetables and calm ways to handle transitions and changes.

Visual supports at home: a UK parent's guideObjects, photos, symbols and words that show your child what is happening and what comes next. The main types, how to start, and what to do when they don't seem to work.14 minute read How to use a Now and Next board at homeA two-step picture board that shows what is happening now and what comes next. How to make one, the words to use, and what to do when it isn't working.11 minute read How to make a visual timetable for homeA row of pictures that shows your child the order of the day. Which type to choose, how to make one, and what to do when plans change.10 minute read Helping your child with transitions and changes to routineWhy transitions and change can be hard, what helps when moving between activities, and how to prepare for new schools, holidays, Christmas and other big changes.12 minute read

Feelings, sensory needs and behaviour

Meltdowns and shutdowns, sensory differences, stimming, feelings and keeping everyone safe.

Meltdown, tantrum or shutdown? How to tell and what to doA meltdown is overwhelm, not naughtiness. How to tell it from a tantrum or a shutdown, and what helps before, during and after.12 minute read Sensory differences: overload, seeking and what helpsWhy your child might cover their ears, crave spinning or not notice hunger, what helps day to day, and what the research says about sensory therapies and weighted blankets.13 minute read Helping your child understand feelings and find calmWhy feelings can be hard to notice and name, how to teach them, calm tools for different moments, signs of anxiety and where to get help.12 minute read Stimming: what it is, why it helps and when to actWhy autistic children flap, rock, spin or repeat sounds, why harmless stims are best left alone, and what to do when a stim causes harm.10 minute read Hitting, biting and head-banging: keeping everyone safeHitting, biting and head-banging are signs of distress, not naughtiness. How to keep everyone safe, check for pain, find the cause and get help.12 minute read Demand avoidance and PDA: what UK parents should knowWhat PDA and demand avoidance mean, why PDA is not an official diagnosis, what may help at home, and how to get your child's needs met at school.10 minute read

Everyday life

Sleep, eating, toileting, appointments, safety, screens and days out.

Sleep and bedtime routines for autistic childrenWhy sleep is hard for many autistic children, what to check first, a step-by-step picture bedtime routine, and the NHS route to a sleep plan and melatonin.12 minute read Selective eating and 'beige food': when to ask about ARFIDWhy many autistic children stick to a few safe foods, low-pressure ways to help, what ARFID is, and when to ask your GP for help.10 minute read Toilet training an autistic child, and starting school in nappiesA step-by-step picture approach to toilet training, why constipation comes first, starting nursery or school in nappies, and help from NHS continence services.10 minute read Dentists, haircuts and doctors: making appointments easierPreparing your child with photos, picture stories and practice, the reasonable adjustments you can ask for, the NHS Reasonable Adjustment Digital Flag, and tips for teeth and haircuts.11 minute read Keeping your autistic child safe: wandering, water and roadsA step-by-step safety plan for wandering, water and roads, the facts about GPS trackers, and what to do straight away if your child goes missing.12 minute read Screen time and apps: what the UK guidance saysThe new screen-time guidance for under-5s, why assistive technology is treated differently, what research says about screens and autism, and how to pick a safe app.9 minute read Days out, travel and holidays with an autistic childPlanning with pictures, quieter times, access schemes, help at airports and stations, grants for breaks, what to pack, and a plan for when it all gets too much.12 minute read

Nursery, school and SEND

Starting nursery or school, SEN support, EHCPs, the 2026 SEND reforms and what to do when school is hard.

Starting nursery or reception with an autistic childChoosing a nursery or school, SEN support and early years funding, starting reception later or part time, preparing your child and the first weeks.13 minute read SEN support or an EHCP? What's the differenceA side-by-side comparison of SEN support and EHCPs in England, what to ask for at each stage, and when to ask the council for an EHC needs assessment.10 minute read How to request an EHC needs assessment, and the 20-week timelineStep by step: who can ask, the legal test, writing the request, the evidence to send, the 20-week timeline, the draft plan, and what to do if the council says no.11 minute read SEND reforms 2026: what the Schools White Paper means for your childThe 2026 SEND reforms explained for parents in England: what is proposed, what has not changed, what it may mean for young children, and a timeline.14 minute read When school is hard: part-time timetables, exclusions and attendanceHow to spot when school is too much, what helps with school avoidance, and your rights in England on part-time timetables, being sent home and restraint.13 minute read

Family, money and support

Benefits and practical help, looking after yourself, brothers and sisters, and judging therapies.

DLA for autistic children: a plain-English guide (2026/27)What DLA is, how to claim with or without a diagnosis, the 2026/27 rates, tips for the form, what to do if you are turned down, and what else DLA can lead to.12 minute read Money and practical help for families of autistic children (2026/27)A checklist of benefits, grants, council help and access schemes for families of autistic children, with 2026/27 amounts and where to check what you can get.13 minute read Looking after yourself: stress, burnout, respite and short breaksExhaustion is common and is not a failure. What helps, your right in England to a parent carer needs assessment and short breaks, and who to call.11 minute read Explaining autism to brothers and sisters, and supporting themWhen and how to tell brothers and sisters about autism, words for each age, fairness and one-to-one time, safety, young carers and support from Sibs.11 minute read Autism therapies in the UK: what the evidence says, including ABAWhat NICE and the NHS recommend, the treatments NICE says not to use, fake cures to avoid, a fair look at ABA, and how to check any therapy or provider.12 minute read

For nurseries and schools

Guides for nursery and school staff

Practical, sourced guides for early years and school staff supporting autistic children: everyday adjustments, SEN support, talking with parents and the law.

Parents and carers: you can share any of these guides with your child's nursery or school.

How to support an autistic child in nursery: a guide for early years staffFor key persons, room leaders, SENCOs and childminders in England: everyday support for autistic 2 to 4 year olds, SEN support with parents, funding and Ofsted.17 minute read Talking to parents when you think a child might be autisticWhen and how to raise a concern with a family, what to say and avoid, how families may react, records and consent, and what happens next. For nursery and school staff.14 minute read Visual supports, communication and sensory adjustments in the nursery and classroomPractical changes for early years and school staff: visual structure, easier transitions, communication that includes every child, sensory adjustments, a calm space and honest evidence.13 minute read Meltdowns and distress at nursery or school: what staff can do, and what the law expectsWhat helps before, during and after a meltdown in a nursery or classroom, what to avoid, and England's rules on sanctions, restraint, seclusion and sending a child home.13 minute read An autistic child in your reception or Key Stage 1 class: SEN support and your roleWho is responsible, how SEN support works with parents, everyday adjustments, starting reception, specialists, EHC needs assessments and the 2026 changes.17 minute read Can a nursery or school refuse, exclude or send home an autistic child?For nursery and school staff in England: Equality Act duties, the 2026 rules on sending children home and part-time timetables, and what to do instead.13 minute read Teaching assistants and autistic children: making one-to-one support workYour role, the research on how assistants are used, and practical habits for lessons, playtime and lunchtime that help an autistic child learn with the teacher and classmates.13 minute read Toileting and intimate care in nursery and reception: what settings need to knowFor early years and reception staff in England: the rules on children in nappies, intimate care policies, day-to-day toileting support, working with families and funding.13 minute read