Best Free Resources For Autism

When you are caring for a child with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder or other conditions creating challenges in everyday activities, We’ve looked for the best free resources that can help.

 Best Free Resources For Autism 

When you are caring for a child with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder or other sensitivities or sensory needs, it can create huge challenges in everyday activities.  Seeking solutions to those challenges very often creates financial demand on a family at the very time they are likely to be struggling to continue working in the way that they did previously.  It can be very difficult to find specialised or inclusive groups or nurseries for childcare, or additional care around school hours.  Often with SEN groups you need to stay and take part rather than drop off.  Extra education meetings, the additional work required to create the evidence to get the help your child needs, the extra hospital and health appointments, not to mention sleepless nights.

This all means it becomes increasingly difficult to find work that fits flexibly around complex care needs.  In turn this depletes your income when you need it most.  It can be extremely distressing for a parent when you know your child needs extra resources, but you can’t afford them, and also don’t qualify to get funding, and help might mean paying privately to get the support and guidance your family need in a reasonable time.

We’ve looked for the best free resources we can find and put them together here to help.  (See also our piece on financial support here Help With Finance — Sensory Smart)

1. Sensory Integration Education: is an organisation that works with Occupational Therapists in the field of Sensory Integration.  Amazing sensory resources including free workshops for parents and professionals, how to find a local SI trained OT and more Sensory Integration Resources (sensoryintegrationeducation.com)
2. The Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning (SPIRAL): has a toolkit for Adolescents and also a Parent Toolkit with downloadable handbooks and guides related to the understanding, identification, and intervention of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and related diagnoses.  They also have a section on Evidence based practice. Parent Toolkit | SPIRAL Foundation (thespiralfoundation.org)
3. Youtube Channels: www.youtube.com use the search function for ‘sensory processing disorder’ or ‘Autism sensory’ to access a wealth of information in short video format.  Really handy if you absorb information visually better than when reading.  Always be aware of the sources and creators, it can be tricky to know who is providing solid, researched information, but most of the charities we mention here will also have Youtube channels where the information can be trusted.
4. Cerebra are a charity that really helped me with sleep issues and other specific areas of concern, nationally.  They have a free resource on Sensory Processing you can download here sensory-processing-low-res.pdf (cerebra.org.uk) but I also recommend browsing their website and making contact to see what help you can get in your area. Cerebra - Working with you and your amazing child
5. NHS Humber have put together some good resources here that can be used by anyone in any geographical location with some good resources around specific issues like chewing, nail cutting, strategies and further resources Downloads – Sensory Processing (humber.nhs.uk)
6. The STAR Institute is an organisation focussed entirely on developing and promoting best practice for sensory health and wellbeing. We are linking here to their infographics but a browse will find other handy items like sensory checklists etc Sensory Awareness Infographics | STAR Institute (sensoryhealth.org)
7. Griffin Occupational Therapy offer a free Level 1 course in SPD that may well help if you have just found out about sensory processing issues Free online sensory processing course for teachers, assistants and parents (griffinot.com)
8. Resources for Autism is a charity that operates in the London and West Midlands areas for their practical support services.  They also have some free Activities and links – from a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China, to yoga videos to visual recipes to download Activities & Resources - Resources for Autism
9. Autism Wellbeing is a charity that focuses on health related support and has some detailed downloadable resources, with Rusty the Robot animation, support for making video calls to your health team, info about smearing and personal hygiene Downloadable Resources | Autism Wellbeing
10. The Autism Education Trust has resources to help education staff better support pupils with Autism, to a high level of good practice.  There are also downloads that support parent guidance at all levels of education.  Plenty of free resources including a great self-advocacy document for young people to have their voice heard regarding their educational needs Resources to Support Autistic Children and Young People (autismeducationtrust.org.uk)
11. Ambitious About Autism started out from the Treehouse School and is now a national charity supporting adults and children.  The primary focus is education but there are a range of free resources to help around Anxiety and other issues that arise.  Highly recommend the Hospital passport Resources and downloads | Ambitious about Autism
12. The National Autistic Society is usually one of the first charities we hear about when our children get a diagnosis.  Here you can find downloadable cards to alert others to your child’s diagnosis and needs, and there is a wealth of information in the advice and guidance section Advice and guidance (autism.org.uk)
13. Beyond Autism is a charity that provides a wide range of support materials in a resource hub.  They have downloads of practical and useful advice, but also plenty of video content, so if you are struggling to get time to read their YouTube videos are very easily accessible on your phone while you are juggling your child’s needs Resource Hub - BeyondAutism 

Take your time, it can be overwhelming to take on board too much information all at once, and sometimes the advice is conflicting.  See what feels right for you and your family.  Never forget, you are the expert who knows your child the best, so trust your instincts.  If possible, involve the young person and help them advocate for themselves.  You may need help from Speech and Language Therapy specialists to devise communication tools specific to your child to achieve this, self-advocacy is always a great goal for any EHCP.