Resources for educators
Please also look in the resources section for parents for more useful links and resources for understanding your autistic and neurodivergent pupils
https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/neurodiversity-development/research/triple-a/
An excellent project designed to further understanding about how neurodivergent pupils experience the school environment, with a link to the free training tool which takes about 2 hours to fully complete but is an excellent use of your time. Worthwhile for parents as well as educators.
https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk
Autism Education Trust – Resources, training, lived experience insight and more, all related to autistic students in educational settings.
https://blogs.sussex.ac.uk/tel/2018/09/18/effective-pedagogy-for-students-with-specific-learning-difficulties/
Great blog explaining SpLDs (Specific Learning Difficulties) and how to effectively support students with differing educational and access needs – aimed more at University education than primary/secondary.
Resources for parents
https://sossen.org.uk/
Independent charity helpline for advice and guidance in navigating statements, EHCPs and everything else.
https://www.facebook.com/IPSEAcharity
Another charity for parents and guardians related to navigating the ever-changing world of SEN provision.
https://www.icdl.com/dir
DIR Floortime is an alternative to ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) which aims to build relationships and skills, not just teach activities and extrinsic motivation. This framework has less intensive therapist time, and more meaningful parent-child time which helps develop executive functioning skills in a way that prioritises the wellbeing of the autistic person.
https://www.instagram.com/neurowild_/?hl=en
Neurowild is an AuDHD Speech and Language Pathologist and parent to neurodivergent kids. These resources are incredible.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse/free?search=neurowild
Resources for understanding and assessing professionals and their interventions, creating valid (learning) goals for ND students and understanding executive function. Also useful for educators, created by an AuDHD speech and language practitioner.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gregory-C-Tino/author/B08LL6BGH4?
Fantastic non-speaking author Gregory C Tino has published several books about autism focusing on the senses, motor co-ordination and the non-speaking experience. These are suitable for a range of ages – required reading for parents.
https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/neurodiversity-development/research/triple-a/
An excellent project designed to further understanding about how neurodivergent pupils experience the school environment, with a link to the free training tool which takes about 2 hours to fully complete but is an excellent use of your time. Worthwhile for parents as well as educators.
https://www.barrierstoeducation.co.uk/anxiety
Autistically co-produced resources on understanding autism and anxiety in young people with a focus on the school experience
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
Information about claiming DSA to support disabled students with costs related to education and accessing education (the educational equivalent to Access to Work).
Communication support
https://communication4all.org/
Resources and information for teaching non-speaking people to communicate through text (typing and letterboards). A great practical introduction to the world of AAC
https://i-asc.org/
The International Association for Spelling as Communication. Links, resources, creative events, networking and support for non-speaking, minimally and/or unreliably speaking people (and allies – of which I am one)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse/free?search=neurowild
Resources for understanding and assessing professionals and their interventions, creating valid (learning) goals for ND students and understanding executive function. Also useful for educators, created by an AuDHD speech and language practitioner.
https://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/about-us/
Communication Matters is another source of information, advice and resources for alternative communication methods, like AAC
https://sarahspellstospeak.wordpress.com/blog-posts
Blog from Sarah Ackerman, a non-speaking person who uses S2C (spelling to communicate)
https://www.instagram.com/otto_types/?hl=en
Otto Lana’s Instagram. Otto is a multi-modality communicator, advocate, panelist, student, all-round powerhouse of a human!