1st Edition
The Autism Resource Manual for Families Practical Strategies for Parents and Family Support Professionals
The Autism Resource Manual for Families is a treasure trove of practical, realistic and achievable strategies to support neurodivergent young people and their families with everyday life. Clearly laid out for easy use and access, it explains autism in context and provides ideas that are relevant not just for parents and carers, but for family support workers, social workers and family intervention teams.
The resource covers a wide range of situations and offers an array of supports, with key topics ranging from anxiety, behaviour, and communication, to socialising, family life, and moving towards independence. With the lived experiences of parents and autistic children and young people in mind, this empowering manual includes:
- A wealth of situations from daily life, clearly addressed with examples of how autistic individuals may experience these and practical strategies for effective support
- Encouragement for parents and mini mantras for autistic children and young people to use in different situations
- Strategies for supporting autistic children in daily family life, including working with siblings, family holidays and eating out
- Advice for helping autistic young people through school, including attendance, homework and after-school exhaustion
- Guidance on initiating and carrying out productive conversations, as well as downloadable resources for visual conversation support.
This book will be an essential tool for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people, as well as family or parent support workers and family intervention teams. It will also be valuable reading for pastoral teams, CAMHS, and social workers supporting these families.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PREFACE
FOREWORD
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
SECTION 1: ANXIETY
Methods for unpicking problems
Need for Predictability
Pause to Ponder
Other emotions
Other Issues
Resource Sheet 1: The 5-Point Scale
Resource Sheet 2a: Unpicking a problem blank
Resource Sheet 2b: Unpicking a problem example
SECTION 2: COMMUNICATION
Conversation skills Understanding Pause to ponder
Resource Sheet 3: Processing
SECTION 3: DIAGNOSIS
Before diagnosis
Diagnostic process
Following diagnosis
Pause to ponder
SECTION 4: FAMILY LIFE
Applies to all topics below
Away from home
Bedrooms
Family Events
Family Mealtimes
Helping out
Living between two homes
Siblings
Pause to Ponder
Resource Sheet 4a: Scales of preference blank
Resource Sheet 4b: Scales of preference example
SECTION 5: REACTIONS
Disengaging
Pause to Ponder
Reactions Naughtiness or autism
Interpretation of phrases
Taking responsibility
Towards success
SECTION 6: SENSORY SENSITIVITY
Co-ordination
Interoception
Response to smells
Response to sounds
Response to taste and texture
Response to touch and texture
Response to visual input
Pause to Ponder Sensory Overload
SECTION 7: SOCIALISING
Friendships
Visiting another home
Visitors to home
Pause to Ponder
SECTION 8: SUPPORTING SCHOOL
Attendance
Incidents in school
Pause to Ponder Routines School trips Tests and exams
SECTION 9: TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE
Personal care
Useful skills
Pause to Ponder
What next?
Resource Sheet 5: Life’s path
USEFUL RESOURCES
Biography
Debbie Riall is a Specialist Teacher for Neurodiversity currently working for The Athelstan Trust across five secondary schools. She originally worked as a class teacher of autistic pupils for over 20 years, then as an advisor for the last 15 years. She also trained in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and joined the weekly multi-agency diagnostic team in south Wales for five years. Her first book, The Autism Resource Manual: Practical Strategies for Teachers and other Education Professionals was published in 2022.
"I have so enjoyed reading through this book. I've picked up so much advice and food for thought." - Jenny Hayward, parent
