Sleep
The National Autistic Society has produced an article about sleep. Click icon to view. There are some helpful links at the bottom of the page.
The National Autistic Society has produced an article about sleep. Click icon to view. There are some helpful links at the bottom of the page.* See also:
Cerebra is a UK charity that works to improve the lives of children with brain conditions. They include autism in their range of topics. Their website offers guides and one-to-one support for parents/carers as part of their sleep advices service. Click icon to find out more.new There are a number of well presented and downloads. The sleep tips booklet is particularly engaging. See also:
- Social stories might be adapted to help prepare for sleep. Find out about them on our Thing s to help page.
- Options autism has produced a helpsheet on sleep and autism.
Click icon for helpsheet.
Tap button to download, then open in PDF viewer.
Explaining to a child
You may want to explain autism or related issues:
- Children with special needs: How to explain disability to a child – Huffington Post. See article
- Question: We recently got a diagnosis. How should I explain high functioning autism to my affected son and his ‘typical’ siblings? See: Answer. Also, this book is highly recommended by parents. See Amazon
- 15 children’s books. See Amazon
More generally, the National Autistic Society offers tips for communicating with an autistic child.
See also our Preparing for change page about leaving primary and secondary school.
Social skills
Options autism has produced a help sheet about developing emotional and social skills.
Click icon to view.
Tap button to download, then open in PDF viewer. 
For more about Options see our Specialist services page.
Social success
Prep for social success is a book aimed at parents of children on the autistic spectrum. Amazon offers an eBook version.
The Amazon page says that it offers a four step programme: PLAN, REHEARSE, ENCOURAGE, PRAISE. The PREP program can be applied to a number of settings including school and group activities such as sports or clubs. There are good reviews on Amazon. Click icon to see the authors’ Facebook site.
Thula the therapy cat
Iris was a 6 year old on the autism spectrum. Her mother was surprised to see the way her daughter bonded with a cat that the family was looking after. She bought a cat of a recommend bread. Click play button for a brief video of the story.
See also: illustrated article more pictures.
Here is another case of a father who took is son cat shopping at an animal shelter.
Bullying
Why might autistic pupils be at risk of being bullied? What can parents do about it? Click icon for a National Autistic Society guide.
- A book by Luke Jackson with the title Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome has a well written chapter on bullying. See our Library books page for more about this book.
- Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can be yourself. Get in touch about anything: online, on the phone at any time. See: website bullying
Mothers’ Experiences
Click icon to read about parents whose school-age children have either autism or Aspergers.
Early Support
Lincolnshire County Council provide an Early Support, Care and Co-ordination service, or ESCO for short. The eligibility criteria have been extended from children with complex health needs or disabilities under five to include young people up to 18 years old. Click icon for more information.
Toileting
Click icon to find out about autism and toileting.
Things to help
Growing up
Mobile guide