Autism Home Learning

Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, with the theme KINDNESS. So I will be posting suggestions for promoting kindness all week :) The Mental Health Foundation is hosting Mental Health Awareness Week, 18th - 24th May. The theme for the week is KINDNESS, with perhaps no better time to think about what kindness means, why kindness is important and how we can promote kindness.  Why kindness? Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says: We have chosen kindness because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity  Why kindness? Being kind to others is good for our own physical and mental health, research showing five benefits: Helping others feels good. Kindness/altruism creates sense of belonging and reduces isolation. Being kind and h elping others, especially those who are less for...

Here is a final part of a series of Social Stories to help prepare for going back to school. This part includes information about staff wearing PPE and social distancing. Again, this is to illustrate how the approach might be used. You will need to talk to your child's school for correct information. Talk to your child's teacher if you want help to use a Social Story with symbols. For more information on Social Stories, see:  Carol Gray's Social Stories National Autistic Society - Social Stories   Siobhan Timmins - Social Stories

Here is part 2 of a Social Story which includes information about which activities will be available and which will not. Note that this is to illustrate how you can use this approach, but a Social Story will need personalising depending upon your child's needs. Talk to your son's or daughter's teacher if you need help with how much information to include and also to check which symbols to include.   Part 3 to follow. For more information on Social Stories, see:  Carol Gray's Social Stories National Autistic Society - Social Stories   Siobhan Timmins - Social Stories

Following on from my previous post, here is an example of a Social Story in 3 parts and including symbols (by Boardmaker) added by a special school. If your child uses symbols at school, talk to teachers about preparing a Social Story which includes symbols corresponding to those used at school. Part 1 Part 2 to follow in my next post. For more information on Social Stories, see:  Carol Gray's Social Stories National Autistic Society - Social Stories   Siobhan Timmins - Social Stories

So, the uncertainty goes on and autism home learning continues. Many parents are feeling worn down and some are struggling with the enormity of their situation. This post is about YOU and considers ways to take care of yourself.  The wellbeing of our children is a priority and I have already posted my thoughts and suggestions for how to support their wellbeing during this challenging time. However, in this post I focus on YOUR wellbeing, at a time perhaps when you are losing motivation and/or anxieties are increasing as political talk turns to sending our children back to school. I am mindful of 'information & advice overload' and whilst most of this is well-intentioned, nevertheless for some this adds to a sense of failing and feelings of guilt for not achieving what many others appear to be successful at. I do NOT want to add to what may feel like yet more advice, which adds to your sense of feeling overwhelmed. Instead I hope that my thoughts and tips may offer a ...

Lots of us are thinking about when schools reopen. Whilst we are not yet aware of the details of when/how this will be, it is important to start thinking about how to prepare our children. This post provides an example of a Social Story to illustrate how the approach can be used to prepare your child for another big change!  Social Story to prepare your child for going back to school. We are still waiting to hear details about when schools will open and we know that not all children will be going back to school at the same time. I am posting this now to illustrate how a Social Story might be used to prepare your child. This Social Story is written for primary aged children, however it can be adapted for younger and older children. As it is, this Social Story may be too lengthy and includes a lot of information.  Some children will cope with the full information in one story, so I have suggested where page breaks could be – but this must depend on the individual. For many...

Issues regarding the current situation are of concern to many autistic teenagers. There are some specific areas which are important to consider if you have a teenage son or daughter who is home learning. In this post I consider some of the  issues which may be impacting your teen at this time. Many of my previous posts are also relevant to autistic teenagers, so why the need for a specific post on the issues which may be impacting your teen son or daughter? Well, firstly I have had many requests for this topic and secondly I would like to show how the negatives of the current lockdown situation can be used to teach positive skills. Use the current situation to teach RESILIENCE .  COVID-19 poses a global challenge and as a nation we are being forced to work in new ways in order to adapt to changes imposed across society. We know that change for autistic people can cause intense anxiety and many may prefer to adhere to favourite routines. Parents know that schools ...

Life during lockdown is an emotional roller coaster for us all. For many autistic children and young people, the emotions they are experiencing may be intense and confusing. In this post I share some of my experiences and thoughts on ways to support emotional wellbeing at home.  The confusion and unpredictability of the current situation, and when/how  we will eventually exit lockdown, is causing a good deal of anxiety for everyone. Awareness of the risks to emotional wellbeing for autistic children and young people is an important first step to supporting their wellbeing at this time. An earlier post focused upon increased anxiety which of course risks emotional wellbeing. Other widely recognised factors also impact emotional wellbeing for our children including: difficulties in communicating about feelings, barriers to interaction, differences in ways of thinking - such as lack of flexibility, sensory processing differences, difficulties with asking for help, lack of re...