You do not need a complete theory of autism before you can make a day a little easier. Start with one question, one setting, or one part of the day that is hard.

You do not need to learn everything today. Start with one hard part of the day.

Keep a short list of questions

Write down your questions

When you meet a teacher, doctor, or support worker, a short list helps. What is going well? What time of day is hardest? What has already been tried? What would “better” look like this month? AUTIGENCE cannot answer those questions for your family. A person who knows the child or adult can.

Before a meeting, write a few questions. What is going well? What time of day is hard? What have you already tried? What would better look like this month? This website cannot answer those questions for your family.

Three practical areas

• Communication: how the person understands other people, and how they express themselves.
• Communication: how someone understands, and how they show what they mean.
• Sensory comfort: sound, light, touch, smell, and how busy a place feels.
• Senses: sound, light, touch, smell, and busy places.
• Routine: knowing what happens next, and what to do when a plan changes.
• Routine: knowing what happens next, and what to do if the plan changes.

These are ways to organise support. They are not a treatment plan, and they are not a checklist that proves anything about a person.

These are ways to organise support. They are not a treatment. They do not prove anything about a person.

Look after the adults too

Look after yourself too

Carers need sleep, a second person to ask, and permission to say that a week was hard. If you are unsafe, or someone you care for is unsafe, use local emergency or safeguarding services rather than this website.

Carers need rest and someone to ask. If you are unsafe, or someone you care for is unsafe, contact local emergency or safeguarding services. Do not wait for this website.