Resources

Resources for Children and Young People

Resources for parents

Books for parents

Supporting Spectacular Girls by Helen Clarke
Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person by Cathy Wassell
Aspergirls by Rudy Simone
Asperger's and Girls by Tony Attwood and Temple Grandin
The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood
Social Skills for Teenagers and Adults with Asperger Syndrome by Nancy J Patrick
Can I tell you about Asperger Syndrome? A guide for friends and family by Jude Welton
Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum: What Parents and Professionals Should Know About the Pre-Teen and Teenage Years by Gina Marie Moravcik, Samara Pulver Tetenbaum, and Shana Nichols
Education and Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Developing an Integrated Approach by Judith Hebron and Caroline Bond
Smart but Scattered by Peg Dawson
Language for Learning, A Practical Guide for Supporting Students with Speech, Language and Communication Needs By Sue Hayden, Emma Jordan
Parenting an Autistic Teenage Girl, Teenagers With Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD Books by Lance Childs
A Guide for Parents and Carers of Children with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis, by Rachel Pike/ Autism Supporting Your Teenager, by Caroline Hattersley.
Audiobook - 56 Traits of Aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/56-Traits-of-Aspergers-Syndrome-High-Functioning-Autism-and-Autism-Spectrum-Disorders-Audiobook/B017WOZ7FY?source_code=M2M14DFT1BkSH082015011R&ds_rl=1235779&ipRedirectOverride=true
National Autistic Society article on Aspergers by Judith Gould https://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/asperger.aspx

Reports and articles focusing on girls flying under the radar:

https://www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk//girls_and_autism_flyingundertheradar.pdf

https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/keeping-it-all-inside.pdf

https://blog.optimus-education.com/autistic-girls-my-steep-learning-curve

National Autistic Society Towards understanding and under-recognition of girls and women on the autistic spectrum by Judith Gould: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361317706174

Stockport & Manchester Organisations and Charities

The new Stockport Autism Team is now called the Stockport Neurodiversity Team.

Changes to the Stockport Autism Team -

The Autism Team became the Neurodevelopmental Team in September 2024
Support is available to children pre-diagnosis
Joint working with Educational Psychology and the Jigsaw Team.
New email address - NDTeam@stockport.gov.uk
ND Team Offer:
- Exploring Neurodiversity course for parents/carers
- Exploring Autism course
- Neurodiversity Assemblies
- Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS)
- Neurodiversity in Schools Project (NDiS)
- Riding the Rapids
- Webinars
- Coffee and Connect sessions - Parents/carers are invited to join us at our new ‘Coffee & Connect’ sessions – Brinnington and Reddish. They are informal drop-in sessions. This is a chance to meet other parents/carers and gain helpful advice and information. Representatives from Jigsaw (mental health support) and Educational Psychology will also be there.

Stockport Neurodiversity Team has an online resource called Padlet, which contains training, support, and activities for children, young people, and their parents and carers living in Stockport. The links for the Padlet are below –

Early Years Padlet (0-5): https://padlet.com/autismprogrammestockport/stockport-neurodevelopmental-support-for-early-years-0-5-j5wyo6c2pf66mbh2

School Age Padlet (5-16): https://padlet.com/autismprogrammestockport/stockport-neurodevelopmental-support-for-children-young-peop-vsray0kgugoivc6g

Post 16 Padlet: https://padlet.com/autismprogrammestockport/stockport-neurodevelopmental-support-for-adults-16-cykgmdez3qyid2ol

I Am Autism

We’re a UK registered charity working with and supporting a wide range of people, aged 10 years and upwards, who have a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (which can also be called Asperger Syndrome, High Functioning Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder) as well as their families, guardians and carers in Greater Manchester.

Email: admin@i-am-autism.org.uk
Tel: 0161 866 8483
Website: https://i-am-autism.org.uk/

Dimobi Children’s Disability Trust, Manchester
Address: 115, Briscoe Lane, Newton Heath, Manchester, M40 2TP
Email: info@dimobitrust.org.uk
Tel: 0161 937 5332

Website: https://www.dimobitrust.org.uk/

Greater Manchester Autism Consortium
Address: Empress Business Centre, 380 Chester Road, Room 4.4, Greater Manchester Autism Consortium, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9EA
Email: mari.saeki@nas.org.uk
Tel: 0161 998 4667
Website: https://www.autismgm.org.uk/

Salford Autism
Address: Eccles Town Hall, Church St. Eccles, M30 OLH
Email:support@salfordautism.org.uk
Tel: 0771 390 3224
Website: http://www.salfordautism.org.uk

AutiSK Stockport
A support group run by parents who have children and young people with additional needs. We offer support, advice, signposting and various social groups. Our social groups are aimed at stopping social isolation, creating friendships and support circles for young people and their parents, as well as providing activities in a safe environment suitable for all abilities. No formal diagnosis is needed to join or attend. AutiSK groups: if your child or young person is struggling, you can attend. We welcome all ages from 0-25 years old.

Facebook @Autisk (Facebook closed support group), Twitter@Auti_SK,
Email: autisk17@gmail.com
Website: http://www.autisk.co.uk

Beacon Counselling, Stockport
Beacon Counselling exists to improve the lives of adults, young people, and children who experience mental and emotional distress. We do this by providing counselling and related services and tackling a wide range of problems from depression, anxiety, and stress through to relationships, bereavement and family breakdown.
Tel Stockport centre: 0161 285 1827
Tel Bramhall centre: 0161 440 0055
Website: http://www.beacon-counselling.org.uk/

Creative Support, Stockport
We're a not-for-profit organisation promoting the independence, inclusion and well-being of people with care and support needs. We do this by working with the people we support, their families and partner agencies to deliver innovative, high-quality services to meet individual needs and aspirations.
We provide person-centred services and support for people with:
• learning disabilities
• autism and mental health needs
• physical disabilities
• dementia
Address: 131 Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3TS
Email: enquiries@creativesupport.co.uk
Tel: 0161 236 0829
Website: https://www.creativesupport.co.uk/

Healthy Young Minds, Stockport
Pennine Care’s Healthy Young Minds services (previously known as CAMHS) are committed to providing a comprehensive and targeted intervention service delivered in the heart of our communities, which positively aims to promote the emotional and psychological well-being of our children and young people.
Tel: 0161 419 2062
Fax: 0161 419 2081
Email: http://www.healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk/

Information Advice and Support Service, Stockport
Stockport Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service or SENDIASS is a free, confidential and impartial service for parents and carers, children and young people (up to 25 years). Stockport SENDIASS offers independent support for parents and families who have children and young people with SEND. We also provide this independent advice directly to young people aged 16 to 25 with SEND. Our experienced team of local advisors offers impartial, confidential advice and support on all matters relating to SEND. Our aim is to enable you to make informed decisions.
Email: stockport@kids.org.uk
Tel: 0161 240 6168
Website: https://www.kids.org.uk/

Independent Options, Stockport
Independent Options offers a range of highly personalised support services for children and adults who have a wide range of disabilities. They work with people who have learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health needs.
Email: info@independentoptions.org.uk
Tel: 0161 456 6502
Fax: 0161 456 2922
Website: http://www.independentoptions.org.uk/

S.P.A.C.E. Stockport
SPACE Stockport is a support group for parents and carers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and associated conditions. We are a registered children's charity, and there is no charge to attend our meetings or any of our guest presentations. We are a group of parents from Stockport who all have children with ADHD and meet on a monthly basis at the local coffee shop Funky Monkey Coffee Company in Davenport, Stockport. The meetings are an opportunity to talk to other parents who face the same challenges in a relaxed and informal way.
Email: info@spacestockport.org
Tel: 07580 720 730,
Website: http://spacestockport.org/

UK Organisations and Charities

Aspire: The Female Autism Network https://aspirefemaleautismnetwork.wordpress.com/
AFASIC - http://www.afasic.org.uk
Autism Central https://www.autismcentral.org.uk/
Autism Connect – a social network www.autism-connect.org.uk
Autistica - https://www.autistica.org.uk/
Ambitious for Autism https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/
Autism Understood https://autismunderstood.co.uk/
Asperger Syndrome - Information & Support - http://www.asperger.org
Connections in Mind Executive Functioning https://connectionsinmind.com/
Down Syndrome Information Network - http://www.down-syndrome.net
Dyspraxia Foundation - http://www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
ICAN - http://www.ican.org.uk
Independent Panel for Special Education Advice IPSAE - http://www.ipsea.org.uk
Institute for Attachment and Child Development - http://www.instituteforattachment.org
Mencap - understanding learning disability - http://www.mencap.org.uk
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association - http://www.add.org
PACT - https://www.pacttraining.co.uk/
RNIB - Royal National Institute for the Blind - https://www.rnib.org.uk/
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists - http://www.rcslt.org
Scope - The national charity for people with Cerebral Palsy - https://www.scope.org.uk/
Sense - the UK's leading organisation working for people with deafblindness and associated disabilities - http://www.sense.org.uk
The National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk
The British Dyslexia Association - http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children - Email: info@stammeringcentre.org

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is when a child stops breathing while sleeping. OSA, if left untreated, can cause many other harmful side effects such as illnesses, attention issues, on top of lack of sleep, and more. We recently created a guide on OSA including information on the following:
- Causes and symptoms of OSA
- The effects of OSA
- Treatments for OSA and more

Gender Identity

Gender Identity Workbook for Teens

The Gender Identity Workbook for Kids

trans inclusive toolkit 2018 BH council

Transition-of-Pupil-in-School

Miscellaneous

Special Educational Needs Code of Practice - http://www.dfes.gov.uk
Supporting Your Neurodiverse Child: Written for parents, by parents PDF - https://essexfamilyforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Supporting-Your-Neurodiverse-Child-V5-Accessible-Low-Res-1.pdf
Elemy is an innovative, tech-forward provider of in-home and online applied behaviour analysis to help children on the autism spectrum meet their unique needs. - https://www.elemy.com/studio/guides/parents-guide
Byte - is an organization obsessed with what keeps us all smiling: dental health. Children with autism are likely to suffer many more oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injury, than children without autism. On top of that, sensory sensitivities also make effective oral hygiene routines and visits to the dentist challenging. We recently published an educational guide on dental care for children with autism. Please take a look - https://www.byteme.com/community/resources/article/dental-care-children-with-autism-guide/.
Adaptive technology for cars - https://www.utires.com/articles/vehicle-modifications-for-drivers-with-disabilities/
UDS Foundation - Accessible Home Checklist - https://udservices.org/home-accessibility-checklist/

Articles

Research outreach article on PACT (Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy): https://researchoutreach.org/articles/working-parents-carers-help-autism-development/
Autistica article on evidence-based autism intervention: https://www.autistica.org.uk/downloads/files/Autistica-evidence-summary-Parent-led-video-feedback-therapy-4.pdf
Autistica article on PACT, 2021 - To read the full plan, you can download it here: Autistica-Support-Plan

Example of an exciting new therapy ready for launching:

PACT The Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) is a therapy where parents and therapists work together to identify how a child prefers to play, using video recordings. They then adapt their interactions with their child to match that style. Young children learn a lot of skills through play but may approach it in very different ways. PACT has shown that by supporting the alternative ways autistic children learn, we can help them build stronger social communication skills, help parents feel more empowered, and increase families’ resilience. The therapy addresses autistic people and families second-highest priority for autism research: finding “effective interventions to develop communication and language skills”.⁵² It also embodies a more progressive approach to support that embraces autistic people’s differences and opposes attempts to ‘normalise’ or ‘mask’ atypical behaviour.²⁹ Crucially, PACT has strong evidence that it is acceptable, feasible, and effective. PACT is currently one of the only early interventions directed at autistic children and families that has demonstrated efficacy through high-quality Randomised Control Trials.^53,54 results from the initial trial prompted NICE to describe a generalised version of PACT in the list of “key priorities for implementation” of its Clinical Guidance for supporting autistic children^.55 The second PACT trial was awarded NIHR Signal Study status for its “high-quality design and relevance to UK decision-makers”.⁵⁶ Other trials have since replicated evidence for its mechanisms in different age groups, countries and service contexts.^{57,58,59,60,61,62} PACT is ready for use, and accredited training for it is immediately available.⁶³ Both the therapy resources and training for PACT have recently been digitalised for online delivery. An adapted version of PACT is currently being tested in home and education settings, making it cheaper and easier to deliver_.64 Despite this, families face a postcode lottery in their access to PACT. This is an unjustified source of health inequality.

Autistica has:

Published an evidence summary on parent-led video feedback therapies, recommending that “all local areas should have professionals accredited to deliver PACT”.⁴⁰
Working knowledge of many of the most promising interventions currently being developed to support autistic people and families.

The government needs to:

Establish a central fund to launch new therapies into practice within the NHS, social care, and education systems. The fund should cover the training costs for professionals to learn new manualised therapies and enable services/commissioners to backfill roles for a short time while therapists become practised in the new intervention. The Fund should start by rolling out the PACT therapy nationally and expect to support post-diagnostic empowerment programmes soon. Autistica can provide costings for this.

Apportion of a small fund to digitalise training programmes for key therapies. For example, PACT training could be fully digitalised for a small investment of approximately £150-200k. This would reduce the cost of training each professional by up to 50% and make it possible to develop a virtual professional network, to provide ongoing supervision and advice to newly accredited therapists.

Fund an expert group of intervention scientists, autistic people, families, and research bodies to shortlist the most promising interventions for the launcher. Interventions should be prioritised based on their fit to community priorities, the quality of evidence for their acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy, how likely they are to improve existing practice, and how ready they are for roll-out.

PACT (Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy) flyers

Roundway Centre Forms

Common Acronyms Explained

ACRONYMS EXPLAINED

SEND - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - is a term used to describe children and young people who require different or additional support to learn and thrive in a school setting. Further information can be found on the government website.

SENDco - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator - A SENDCO is a qualified teacher who works in schools to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

SALT - Speech and Language Therapy - is a service that helps children and adults with communication, eating, and drinking needs. SALT therapists can help with a range of issues, including:

Communication

SALT therapists can help children and adults develop communication skills and interact functionally.
Swallowing

SALT therapists can help with swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, through exercises, dietary advice, and medication changes.
Eating and drinking

SALT therapists can help children and adults with their eating and drinking needs

EHCP—Education Health Care Plan—is a legal document that outlines a child or young person's special educational, health, and social needs and the support they need to meet them. EHCPs are created by the local authority and are used for children and young people who need more support than is available through special educational needs support. Further information can be found on the government website.

APDR - Assess Plan Do Review - a four-step cycle that educational settings use to identify and address a child or young person's needs:

Assess - Identify the child or young person's needs

Plan - Create a plan to meet those needs

Do - Put the plan into action, monitor it, and make adjustments as needed

Review - Check how well the support is working and make changes if needed

The APDR cycle can help track a child's progress, Identify barriers to learning, Ensure new approaches are put in place, and Achieve good outcomes.

ADIR -

ADOS -

BOSA -

RTC -

PACT -