Articles

Autism and school: getting school right for your child

A practical Australian guide to working with schools on accommodations, communication, and managing transitions for autistic students through primary and secondary years.

Raising Children Network (Australia)

Treatment and intervention for autism

CDC's overview of intervention approaches — behavioural, developmental, educational, and medical — with notes on what the evidence base looks like for each and how to choose what fits a child.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Stimming — a guide for parents and carers

The UK National Autistic Society's explainer on stimming written for families — what it is, why autistic people stim, and how to respond. Written with input from autistic adults.

National Autistic Society (UK)

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's overview of AAC — what it is, who it helps, and the range of approaches from low-tech picture systems to dedicated speech-generating devices.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Learn the Signs. Act Early.

The CDC's parent-facing programme for tracking child development. Links to milestone checklists from 2 months through 5 years and guidance on what to do if you have a concern. Designed to be used in conversation with your paediatrician.

CDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.

To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more

WHO 2019 guidance on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and screen time for children under five — including the recommendation of no screen time for under-ones and no more than one hour for two- to four-year-olds.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Autism spectrum disorders — factsheet

A short, plain-language overview from the World Health Organization covering what autism is, how common it is across countries, the range of strengths and support needs, and the public-health context.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Autistic friendships in primary school — what they look like, what helps

Autistic friendships in the 5-to-12 age range often look different from neurotypical norms — and that\'s mostly fine. This piece walks through what autistic friendship tends to involve, what challenges to expect, and how parents and schools can support real connection.

The ABA debate — what autistic adults say, what the research shows

Applied Behaviour Analysis is the most-debated approach in autism. This piece traces the history from Lovaas through to modern ABA, lays out the autistic-adult critique, summarises what the research base actually shows, and offers questions families can ask if they\'re considering it.

Meltdowns — what they are and how to help

A practical, neurodiversity-affirming guide from the UK National Autistic Society distinguishing meltdowns from tantrums and offering ways to help a child through one.

National Autistic Society (UK)

Preschool transitions — getting an autistic child started well

Starting preschool is a major sensory and social transition for any child, and especially for autistic ones. This piece walks through what helps before day one, what to expect in the first few weeks, and what to do when settling takes longer than the brochure suggested.

Socialising and relationships

The UK National Autistic Society's hub on socialising, friendships, and family relationships — written for autistic people and their families. Covers school years, adolescence, and adult relationships, with input from autistic adults.

National Autistic Society (UK)

Screen time and digital technology use: pre-schoolers

A practical Raising Children Network guide to healthy screen use for pre-schoolers — how much, what kind, and how to build a household routine. Includes guidance on co-viewing and on replacing passive watching with active play.

Raising Children Network (Australia)

Siblings of autistic children — what they carry, what helps

Siblings of autistic children often do beautifully, and also quietly carry more than they show. This piece covers what the research suggests about sibling experience, what helps, and the warning signs that a sibling needs more direct support.

Autistic girls and late diagnosis — why so many are missed

Autistic girls are diagnosed later, less often, and with less confidence than autistic boys. This piece walks through why — the female autism phenotype, masking, and what it costs — and what to do if you suspect your daughter has been missed.

Eye contact in autistic children — what it means and what to do

For decades, "look me in the eyes" was the first thing many interventions taught — and the first thing autistic adults wish they had not been taught. This piece explains what autistic eye contact really means, why forcing it backfires, and what to look for instead.

Sleep difficulties in autistic children — what helps

Sleep is harder for many autistic children — and that is biology, sensory wiring, and routine all stacking up. The good news is that most contributors are addressable; the right combination of small changes usually moves the needle.

Picky eating, ARFID, and autism — what helps

A high proportion of autistic children eat a narrow range of foods. What looks like fussiness is usually sensory, and sometimes ARFID. This piece walks through what is going on, what helps, and when to bring in a professional.

Autistic burnout and masking — what they are and how to recover

Autistic burnout is a distinct, recognisable state different from depression — sustained exhaustion, loss of skills, and increased sensory sensitivity, often driven by years of masking. This piece covers what the research now describes and what recovery looks like.

Sensory overload — what it is and what helps

Sensory overload is the upstream condition for many meltdowns, shutdowns, and "difficult behaviour" in autistic children. This piece covers what overload actually feels like, common triggers, and what helps in the moment and over time.