Resources for Parents
We are often asked for advice or suggestions as ADHD/autistic people and their families seek to put in place positive strategies to support them to thrive. These are some of the resources we use with our clients, and we are happy to share them with you, so that you can use them at home too. Please let us know by emailing media@adhdandautism.org if you have any comments on what we have shared, or other ideas for topics that we might be able to provide resources for.
General Resources
This guide explains the importance of neuro-affirmative language and provides practical tips on using respectful, inclusive, and up-to-date terminology when talking about ADHD and autism.
Support for Parents
Many families find it helpful to use a social story with their ADHD/autistic child to support them when beginning a new activity, such as going on holiday, or when working with them to make a change in their behaviour. This document provides information on when a social story might be helpful, and gives examples that might help you formulate a social story for your child.
The links on this page are designed to help you support your child or teen in having a good night sleep.
This document includes some hints and tips we have found helpful for families of ADHD/autistic children and young people.
Some ADHD/autistic children can become overwhelmed, which may manifest in a meltdown. Here are some ideas that may help reduce the frequency of meltdowns.
If you are looking for support managing challenging behaviour, have a read of this to see if some of the suggestions are helpful for you.
We are strong advocates of using ‘I statements’ when talking to your child – find out more in this poster.
Many ADHD/autistic children can feel anxious and stressed – this document hopes to give you some ideas of things you could do that might support them through these difficult emotions.
Exam season can be really challenging for young people, so this resource shares some tips that might particularly help neurodivergent young people with their revision (for parents and school staff)
The zones of regulation categorise feelings and emotions into colours. We all experience different zones at different times, and it can be difficult to regulate. Come up with strategies and tools so your child can learn to self-regulate.
Sometimes at the end of the day we are eager to find out all about our child’s/young person’s day. It can be disheartening when they don’t respond or seem to avoid our questions. Sometimes our questions, however meaningful they are, can cause stress, and our children can feel pressured to answer.
Here are some ideas of visual resources to make with your child to help reinforce positive behaviour using a reward system .