Autism Post Diagnostic Information Group is a psychoeducation group for parents/carers of children recently diagnosed with autism. It provides information on autism and gives a general approach to managing behaviours linked to autism. The group is online and run by clinicians from City & Hackney Specialist CAMHS at Homerton Row. Your email will be added to a waitlist, and you will receive an invite in due course.

Early Bird Plus Parent Group is a more intensive psycho-education group for parents/carers of autistic children aged 5 to 10 who feel they would benefit from information and advice in relation to helping their child manage their autism. The group runs over 6 weeks, and attendance at each week is required.

View the course here.
 

For more advice on accessing support at school the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Guidance Service (SENDIAGS) can be contacted on 020 7275 6036 or sendiags@hackney.gov.uk Please note this is the service for parents/carers living in Hackney. Each local authority has its own parent advice service. Please contact us for the details of the local service for where you live if this is not Hackney.

Talk to the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) about whether Educational Psychology involvement might be helpful. The Educational Psychology Service run a Parent Advice Service for parents at Hackney Education every Wednesday in term time between 2-4pm. Parents can make an appointment on 0208 820 7000. Please note this service is for parents who live in Hackney. 

Speech and Language Therapy input is often helpful for autistic young people. Parents can discuss this with the SENCO at school.

Occupational Therapy

Parents can book on to a sensory processing workshop by contacting the OT team. To book your place or for more details email: huh-tr.childrensotptevents@nhs.net Or phone: 02070147025

You may wish to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Details can be found on the following website www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children. If you need support to complete this application, please contact the resource centre at Hackney Ark.

For more information about the provision Hackney Local Offer: Services for 0–25-year-olds with SEN, disabilities or additional needs www.hackneylocaloffer.co.uk 

The National Autistic Society (NAS) has a wealth of information for parents, young people and schools about autism. It also has information about support in the local area. This information can be accessed from the website www.autism.org.uk 

Structure and predictability: Autistic children usually benefit from structures and routines to make the world more predictable and reduce levels of anxiety. Visual timetables are often used in schools to show the order of the school day. This can be shown using pictures or words once a child can read. Autistic children tend to respond best to visually presented information. If there are changes to the normal routine, the child will usually benefit from being prepared for this in advance. Lunchtime clubs may be helpful so that this time is more structured.

Language: Even when an autistic child has good spoken language skills, they will probably not process language they hear as well as you might expect. It is therefore useful to reduce the amount of language you use and give them time to process what you have said, especially when the child is upset. Also, when giving instructions, give one at a time and let the child complete that first, before giving the next.

Emotional regulation: Autistic children often have difficulties expressing and managing their emotions. They may need to take a break from the classroom in a quiet space if feeling overwhelmed. They may need adults to help them understand how different emotions feel and how to express and cope with them safely. Zones of regulation work that is being used widely in schools in Hackney would be helpful. Resources in the book: ‘The Incredible 5-point scale’ by Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis.

Sensory needs: Most autistic children have difficulties processing sensory input. They can be under or over sensitive to different textures, smells, sounds, touch etc. Autistic people can become overwhelmed by all the sensory input in everyday environments and reasonable adjustments should be made to accommodate these. They may need more sensory input (through a sensory diet) and/or breaks from sensory input (quiet time with less stimulation).