- L1 - ASPIREBack up
ASPIRE: Autism Support for Parents: information, resources and education
- Every child and young person is different, so the support they need will be different too.
- Support should be based on what each person needs, not just whether they have a diagnosis.
- You do not need a diagnosis to get most types of support.
Buttons leading to L2
- Behaviour
- Communication
- Emotional wellbeing
- Feeding, eating and drinking
- Referrals and waiting lists
- School
- Sensory
- Sleep
- Social circumstances
- Toileting
- I'm not sure
- Are you worried about your child or young person's safety?
- L2 - BehaviourBack up
What behaviour are you concerned about in your child or young person?
Buttons
- Anxiety or stress
- Communication difficulties
- Meltdowns
- Need for routine
- Not understanding social rules
- Pain or illness
- Sensory differences
- Stimming
- Are you worried about your child or young person's safety?
- L3 - Communication difficultiesBack up
Why your child or young person might be displaying this behaviour
If a child can't say how they feel or what they need, they might show it through their body.
- L4 - Communication difficultiesBack up
Changes in routine can be upsetting for Autistic children. Having a predictable day can help them feel safe. What You Can Do: Try to build routines into your child's day. You can use a timetable to show what's happening: Use words or pictures, If your child doesn't understand these, use objects they know (e.g. show car keys when you're about to go out) This helps your child understand what is happening next and feel more calm. If you are changing your plans for the day, let your child know as soon as possible. Explain to them simply and clearly what is happening, and reassure them around this.
- L5 - Communication difficulties - advice
- L3 - MeltdownsBack up
Why your child or young person might be displaying this behaviour
When a child feels completely overwhelmed or stressed.
Sensory overload
Autistic children can be more sensitive to things around them. This might include:
- Bright lights,
- strong smells,
- certain textures (like clothes or food).
These things can feel too much and may lead to a meltdown.
Changes in routine
Changes in routine can be distressing. Predictability can help Autistic children feel safe.
Communication challenges
Text reqd.
Emotional overhwelm
Autistic children may find it hard to control their emotions. Feelings can feel very big and hard to handle. This can happen suddenly, or build up slowly during the day.
Physical needs
When children are hungry, thirsty, tired, or unwell, it can be harder for them to talk or stay calm. They might show how they feel through their behaviour instead of words.
Feeling unsafe or pressured
Autistic children may feel overwhelmed when:
- Things are uncertain,
- There is too much pressure,
- They are in a new place.
This can make them feel out of control and lead to a meltdown.
- L4 - Meltdowns - adviceBack up
What do do if your child or young person is having a meltdown
Changes in routine
You can try building more routines and predictability throughout the day. For example, you could try introducing a timetable either in writing or with pictures. If your child is not able to recognise words or pictures, try showing them a familiar object each time you do something, for example the car keys when you are about to go out. This will help them understand what is happening next.
Communication challenges
Text reqd.
Emotional overhwelm
- Clear routines: use pictures or simple reminders to show what's happening next.
- Calm space: make a quiet, comfy place to relax. You could build a den with blankets or use soft lighting.
- Talk while doing something: chat during a walk or activity. This can feel easier than face-to-face talking.
- Say their feelings are okay: try saying: “I can see this is hard. It's okay to feel that way.”
Feeling unsafe or pressured
- Remove pressure when you can.
- Offer simple choices to help your child feel more in control (for example, “Do you want to sit here or there?”). If your child is overwhelmed, two choices may be enough.
- Your child might have a safe space they like, or a favourite item they carry. This is okay — it helps them feel calm.
- Keep your language simple and try to stay calm. This helps your child feel that things are okay.
Physical needs
- Use a visual checklist to help your child understand what they need, for instance pictures of food, drink, rest. If pictures or words are hard to understand, just offer food, drink, or a quiet space.
- Try not to ask too many questions — this can feel stressful.
- You might notice a pattern in meltdowns. Think about: what time of day they happen, what happens before them. This can help you understand what your child needs.
Sensory overload
Try to notice what your child reacts to — what they like or don't like. This can help you understand when they might feel more or less sensitive. Knowing this can help you support your child better.
- L5 - Meltdowns - resourcesBack up
Resources to help understand and support your child or young person's meltdowns
***Not final resources***BCHC Autism team
- Sensory processing support page
- If you would like to talk through your concerns, you can contact us
- Phone: 0121 683 2320, option 5
- Or email bchc.autismsupporthub@nhs.net
BCHC Paediatric Occupational Therapy team
National Autistic Society
- Autism and sensory processing support page
- Autistic sensory experiences booklet
- My sensory experience booklet
Differing Minds
Warrington Children's Occupational Therapy team (Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
- L3 - Need for routineBack up
Why your child or young person might be displaying this behaviour
Sudden changes can be upsetting. Routines help children feel safe.
- L3 - Sensory differencesBack up
Why your child or young person might be displaying this behaviour
Some children feel things (like sound, light or touch) very strongly.
- L4 - Sensory differences - advice
- L5 - Sensory differences - resourcesBack up
Resources to help understand and support your child or young person's sensory differences
BCHC Autism team
- Sensory processing support page
- If you would like to talk through your concerns, you can contact us
- Phone: 0121 683 2320, option 5
- Or email bchc.autismsupporthub@nhs.net
BCHC Paediatric Occupational Therapy team
National Autistic Society
- Autism and sensory processing support page
- Autistic sensory experiences booklet
- My sensory experience booklet
Differing Minds
Warrington Children's Occupational Therapy team (Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust)
- L3 - Are you worried about safety?Back up
Are you worried about your child or young person's safety?
- L2 - Communication
- L2 - Emotional wellbeing
- L2 - Feeding, eating and drinking
- L2 - Referrals and waiting lists
- L2 - School
- L2 - Sensory
- L2 - Sleep
- L2 - Social circumstances
- L2 - Toileting
- L2 - Not sure
- L2 - Safety
Our patients and their carers and families are the reason we're here, so we want to hear your views about the Trust and our services.