Guidance for specific needs

Resources to help support neurodivergent children at home and at school

Speech and language

A decorative image promoting 'SaLT by the Sea'

Speech and language videos

Useful videos for helping neurodivergent children with their communication needs

Understanding and communication

NHS leaflet providing tips and tricks to help with talking and understanding

Children’s Speech and Language Therapy – Toolkit

NHS Gloucestershire Health and Care Trust’s provide useful information and ideas on how to work on a range of speech and language difficulties

Using visuals

NHS leaflet explaining how visual aids can support understanding, memory and routines

Speech and language resources for younger children

The National Autistic Society have produced some social stories and comic strip conversations which can help people with autism develop a greater social understanding and help them stay safe.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) has information about visual aids, cut out and laminated cards of objects, concepts or events to help communicate with the child.

View and download 16 different pictures to use to help communicate with your child.

Create your own visual aid for your child: print out the ‘Now’, ‘Next’ and ‘Well done’ boxes and draw and/or write the appropriate tasks that your child needs to do.

ICAN CHARITY, the children’s communication charity, also has useful information to aid communication and understanding.

Speech and language resources for older children and teenagers

The Speech and Language Therapy Team at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has produced a number of resources to support improving children’s language and communication.

The Speech and Language UK website is a good place to find information and resources on a child’s development, including an online questionnaire to gauge their needs.

Attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity

Let’s talk about ADHD

Video produced by the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH)

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: ADHD Foundation

Behaviours strategies, information and resources about ADHD

National Attention Deficit and Disorder Information Service (ADDISS)

Information and resources about ADHD

Helpful strategies for children with ADHD

Monitor environmental distraction
Take regular movement breaks
Chunked learning
Take regular exercise
Encourage good sleep patterns

Emotional regulation

The 5-point scale

Information on the 5-point scale and other systems that help teach social and emotional concepts to children and adults.

Using the 5-point scale

Article reviewing the 5-point scale from ‘Autism Classroom’

Young minds

Website providing help and advice for those needing mental health support

Emotional regulation resources for children under 4

PACE stands for Playful, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. It is a way of thinking, feeling and communicating and behaving that aims to make the child feel safe.

The Challenging Behaviour Organisation has information and guidance on challenging behaviour which may be useful.

The Yvonne Newbold website provides information on Violent and Challenging behaviour.

The Yvonne Newbold website also provides 15 Resilience Tips For Parents of Children with SEND VCB.

The Elsa Support website shows the emotional traffic light card system for younger ages.

Emotional regulation resources for older children and teenagers

The Beaconhouse website has a useful poster that illustrates ‘The Anxiety Cycle’ as well as one that explains the ‘Fight and Flight mode’. These can be found under the child and family mental health section.

Animation explaining why we lose control of our emotions

‘Worry tree’ poster setting out an action plan on how to deal with worry, along with other useful guides from www.GetSelfHelp.co.uk

Coordination, balance motor planning and fine motor skills

What are Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills?

Video produced by ‘Little Learners’

Does your child have difficulties with coordination?

NHS leaflet providing tips and tricks to help improve basic co-ordination skills.

Active for Life: Get Active at Home!

Improving coordination through active play, every day

Coordination resources for older children

Using hand gyms to improve fine motor skills (Beacon House Therapeutic Services & Trauma Team)

Sensory levels

Sensory processing differences

Leaflet explaining how to understand a person’s responses to sensory information

Sensory processing differences: a guide

Guide produced by the National Autistic Society

Flexibility and adaptability

How to deal with repetitive behaviour

Leaflet suggesting strategies and approaches to support children who engage in repetitive behaviour

How to deal with change and transition

Leaflet suggesting ways to deal with changes and transitions that cause anxiety

Social communication and interaction

Theory of mind

Video explaining ‘theory of mind’ and how it can help explain a child’s behaviour

Supporting social skills

Leaflet suggesting ideas and activities to help children develop social skills

Social skills worksheets

Free worksheets from ThoughtCo. to help children practice social skills

Social skills resources for younger children

Social Stories Archives by Autism Little Learners can be used for younger age groups to from two to eight years old.

Social skills resources for older children

Video explaining the concept of empathy to an older child: Brené Brown on Empathy

Sleep

The Sleep Charity

A range of useful resources for children including relaxation tips, advice for children with SEND and a sleep diary. For older children there is also the Home – Teen Sleep Hub

Sleep advice service

Cerebra provide advice and guidance that is particularly useful for neurodiverse children

Sleep resources

Locally collated resources information on healthy sleeping patterns and how much sleep a child or teenager needs, sleep diaries and top tips

Sleep resources for younger children

HappyMaps – a website designed by local GPs which has a range of useful sleep-related resources and links for different ages, including babies and primary age children

Sleep resources for older children

HappyMaps – a website designed by local GPs which has a range of useful sleep-related resources and links for different ages, including older children and young people.

Teen Sleep Hub provides advice on how to sleep better, tips on tweaking your routine and helps you understand the science behind sleep patterns