The warmer weather can be a great opportunity to get your child away from screens and outside. Why not try an activity together by grabbing some cardboard, pencils or pens and heading out to find some wild flowers. Number 1: Together, draw a vase shape on the cardboard and poke small holes along the top of the vase. Number 2: Take a walk to your local green space. On your journey notice what’s around you, the different animals, objects and sounds. Number 3: As you walk, help your child collect small flowers, leaves, or plants. Number 4: Gently push the stems through the holes to complete your picture.

Supporting wellbeing through nature

Help nurture your child’s mental health by encouraging them to step outside and connect with nature.

Help nurture your child’s mental health by encouraging them to step outside and connect with nature.

Annie (practitioner)
Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. We can try making a note of: Number one: Date & time (note patterns by time of day) Number two: Where it happened- the location/environment Number three: What happened immediately before/after the behaviour? Number four: Who was present, any unfamiliar people or visitors? Number five: Any sensory input (loud noises, bright lights, textures) Number six: What did the child do? (e.g. shouting, rocking, withdrawal)

Understanding the triggers behind behaviour in autistic children

Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. Start by making note of the following details.

Keeping a diary of an autistic child’s behaviour can help us understand what may be causing or triggering a significant change in their behaviour. Start by making note of the following details.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)
Helping to boost your child's self-belief can equip them for facing challenges in the future. After facing challenges try to focus on praising your child's :Effort, Problem solving skills and Persistence. For example: “You worked hard to learn your spellings before the test and still finished it even though you found it difficult, well done I’m proud of you“. Over time, this type of praise helps children approach challenges with confidence, resilience, and a willingness to keep trying, even when things don’t go to plan.

Promoting self-belief

Praising effort, persistence and problem-solving skills, can boost your child’s self belief, helping them to face challenges in the future.

Praising effort, persistence and problem-solving skills, can boost your child’s self belief, helping them to face challenges in the future.

Annie (practitioner)

Managing negative thoughts

Just like a beach ball, trying to constantly push down negative or anxious thoughts can mean that they keep coming back. Instead, try letting thoughts float by, without fighting them or allowing them pull us off course.

Just like a beach ball, trying to constantly push down negative or anxious thoughts can mean that they keep coming back. Instead, try letting thoughts float by, without fighting them or allowing them pull us off course.

Annie (practitioner)

Interoception & emotional regulation in autism

Many autistic children experience differences in interoception, meaning these body signals may feel muted, confusing, or even overwhelming. Activities such as body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or simple breathing exercises can help children tune into their bodies and make sense of different sensations.

Many autistic children experience differences in interoception, meaning these body signals may feel muted, confusing, or even overwhelming. Activities such as body scans, progressive muscle relaxation, or simple breathing exercises can help children tune into their bodies and make sense of different sensations.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

Using body scans to build mind-body connection

Developing interoceptive awareness can help a child better recognise and respond to their emotions over time. Here is a simple, step‑by‑step body scan exercise you can try at home to gently strengthen the mind–body connection.

Developing interoceptive awareness can help a child better recognise and respond to their emotions over time. Here is a simple, step‑by‑step body scan exercise you can try at home to gently strengthen the mind–body connection.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)

What is interoception

‘Interoception’ is our ability to notice and make sense of signals coming from inside your body: like hunger, tiredness, or a need for rest. Autistic children may experience and interpret these internal signals differently, which can mean their needs or emotions come through quickly and with intensity.

‘Interoception’ is our ability to notice and make sense of signals coming from inside your body: like hunger, tiredness, or a need for rest. Autistic children may experience and interpret these internal signals differently, which can mean their needs or emotions come through quickly and with intensity.

NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)