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  • 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. 1.Together, draw a vase shape on the cardboard and poke small holes along the top of the vase. 2.Take a walk to your local green space. On your journey notice what’s around you, the different animals, objects and sounds. 3.As you walk, help your child collect small flowers, leaves, or plants. 4.Gently push the stems through the holes to complete your picture.
    Annie (practitioner)
    Supporting wellbeing through nature
    Help nurture your child's mental health by encouraging them to step outside and connect with nature.
  • 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: 1.Date & time (note patterns by time of day) 2. Where it happened- the location/environment 3.What happened immediately before/after the behaviour? 4.Who was present, any unfamiliar people or visitors? 5.Any sensory input (loud noises, bright lights, textures) 6.What did the child do? (e.g. shouting, rocking, withdrawal)
    NADINE (PARENT + PRACTITIONER)
    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.
  • 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.
    Annie (practitioner)
    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.
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    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.
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    NADINE (PARENT + 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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Ruby (practitioner)
    Progressive muscle relaxation exercise
    Teaching your child ways to relax their muscles when feeling tense is a great way to help them manage stress.
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    Annie (Practitioner)
    What is in our control (Festive edition)
    Noticing what we can control, whilst letting go of what we can't, can help us to focus our time and energy on the things that can have a truly positive impact on our festive experience.
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    Claire (Parent + professional)
    Welcoming your baby into the family
    New-born traditions look different from family to family. How did you welcome your baby into the family?
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    Annie (Practitioner)
    The power of 'When and Then' language
    When/then statements frame expectations in a calm, clear, and positive way. Instead of focusing on what the child can’t do until a task is done, you’re focusing on the positive outcome when they do complete the task.
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    Nadine (parent + practitioner)
    The spoon theory
    Autistic children often start the day with a limited amount of energy. When that energy runs low, they may be more likely to experience overwhelm or burnout. Try noticing (or gently exploring together in ways that suit your child) which activities feel comfortable and which ones are more draining to them. This might be through words, play, visuals, or behaviour cues. Understanding these patterns can help you plan days that better support your child’s needs.

Parenting at the best of times can be tough. We aim to make reliable and effective parenting advice easily available to all. Resources are co-produced with parents and designed to support child and family wellbeing.