A resource pack for school staff

This is a powerpoint to be used as a presentation ideally in order to aid mainstream staff better work with any autistic pupils. Please make use of the notes sections as they elaborate in more detail. I’ve based the information on here on research undertaken for a book, currently being typed, working with pupils with ASD and my own experience as a teacher who has ASD. Feedback would be appreciated, as would any questions if you have them.

This PPT training module with focus on how to support students with ASD. Supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is crucial for their overall development, academic success, and social integration. Here are several reasons why it is important to provide support for students with ASD, along with the role of differentiated learning: Individualised Instruction: Students with ASD often have unique learning profiles, strengths, and challenges. Differentiated learning allows educators to tailor instruction to meet the specific needs of students with ASD. By providing individualized instruction, educators can capitalise on the strengths of these students while addressing areas of difficulty, optimising their learning experience and promoting academic growth. Sensory Sensitivities: Many individuals with ASD experience sensory sensitivities, which can affect their comfort and attention in the learning environment. Differentiated learning takes into account these sensory needs by creating a sensory-friendly classroom environment. Educators can adjust lighting, noise levels, seating arrangements, and provide sensory tools or breaks to accommodate the sensory sensitivities of students with ASD, enhancing their engagement and focus. Communication and Language Support: Communication difficulties are common among individuals with ASD. Differentiated learning strategies can include augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, visual supports, and structured language activities. These strategies assist students with ASD in expressing themselves, understanding instructions, and comprehending verbal and written information. By addressing communication barriers, educators foster effective communication and support language development in students with ASD. Inclusion and Acceptance: Supporting students with ASD promotes inclusion and acceptance within the classroom and the broader school community. By fostering an inclusive environment, educators help all students appreciate and value neurodiversity. This promotes a culture of acceptance, respect, and empathy, contributing to a positive and inclusive learning experience for students with ASD and their peers. By the end of this training you should be able to: Define Autism Spectrum Disorder Recall examples of impairments in social communication and social interaction Recall examples of restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours and interests. Apply strategies to support a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I made a little booklet for a student in my ASD class who was making his first holy communion. Just insert photographs of your church and details of time and date. A social story about what you might expect when you go into your local church on the day you make your First Holy Communion. It covers when, where, going into the church, sitting in pews, listening, singing songs and going up for the Eucharist. SOCIAL STORIES are valuable tools for teaching social interaction skills in an exacting way to people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. They are particularly effective for those individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Thanks.

Adapted Book with Widgit Symbols | ASD, Autism, SEND & SEN Reading Resource Make reading accessible, engaging, and enjoyable with this book adapted using Widgit Symbols. Designed to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), speech and language needs, learning difficulties, and emerging readers, this resource combines clear text with visual symbols to improve understanding and confidence. Widgit Symbols provide consistent visual support that helps learners understand vocabulary, follow the story, and develop communication, literacy, and comprehension skills. Symbol-supported text is widely used in schools to make reading more accessible for children with communication and language needs. This resource is ideal for: Children with Autism (ASD) SEND and SEN learners Non-verbal and minimally verbal learners Speech and Language Therapy sessions Special education classrooms Mainstream classrooms with inclusive practice Home learning and homeschooling Early readers and English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners Benefits: ✔ Adapted with Widgit Symbols for improved comprehension ✔ Supports visual learners ✔ Encourages vocabulary development ✔ Builds reading confidence ✔ Promotes communication and language skills ✔ Ideal for individual, small group, or whole-class activities ✔ Ready to print and use This adapted book is perfect for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, speech and language therapists, and parents looking for engaging, inclusive reading resources that help children access stories independently. Widgit Symbols are commonly used to support communication, literacy, and understanding across educational settings.

If you work in a mainstream or special needs school, you will inevitably come across instances of bullying from time to time. While most schools have a clear policy for dealing with bullying, it may not always take account of the needs of pupils with with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), who are among the pupils at greatest risk of being bullied.

This adapted morning work binder is an engaging and hands-on way to start each morning with your autistic students. Using the morning binder each day will help your students get into a routine where they come in, settle down and they are ready to work. Many of our students may struggle with transition in the mornings, so by providing this work book as a consistent routine in their daily morning routine, it will help them to settle quicker and be prepared to work. The books are editable so each student can have their own personalized morning binder. The document comes as a Keynote and PowerPoint file. You can add on different wording and add pictures of your student etc. but please note you will not be able to add/change/extract any form of clipart/imagery/text from this document. This is to protect our fabulous clip artists and myself as a teacher-author. This book comes in 2 levels; Level 1 - Students match images or symbols to each of the pages. Level 2 - Students match images or symbols and words to the pages. They can also use a dry-wipe pen and write their answers to make it harder again. What’s Included? Level 1 Morning Work Binder Accompanying Walkthrough to Put Together the Level 1 Morning Work Binder Level 2 Morning Work Binder Accompanying Walkthrough to Put Together the Level 2 Morning Work Binder What’s Included in the Books? The books include; Front Cover Me and My Name How Do I Feel? My School What Day Is It? What Months Is It? What Season Is It? How’s the Weather? What Should I Wear? Finished Front Cover You can either add your students name using a text box and then print out, or have students write their name once printed. You can also put a white shape square over the image on the front cover and then insert an image of your student if you want their photo on the front cover. What Should I Wear This comes with 4 different options. You only need to print one per book used. 2 boy options, and 2 girl options are included. Students use the clothing pieces included to dress the person appropriately for how the weather is outside. Build Up If you feel there are too many pages to start for your students, use less pages to start. First, just use ‘Me and My Name’ ‘What Day Is It?’ ‘How’s the Weather?’ and 'Finished’ Then, as students progress with this, start adding more of the pages in. Finished My students love these books - but they love the finished page too. Having the finished page is a visual way to show your students that they have completed the activity. And that’s the end of the book. All symbols are included in this resource. You can also add your own too.

6-week Attention Autism bucket programme with 3 sessions per week using exciting sensory themes to build attention, engagement, communication and shared enjoyment. This ready-to-use 6 week Attention Autism bucket plan is designed to support the development of attention, shared focus, anticipation and early communication skills through highly motivating, sensory-rich sessions. Perfect for EYFS, SEN, Autism provision and specialist settings, this structured programme follows the Attention Autism approach with 3 engaging sessions per week, allowing for repetition, familiarity and skill-building across a half-term. Each week is built around a motivating theme to maintain curiosity and excitement while supporting predictable routines that help learners feel safe and ready to engage. Weekly Themes Week 1: Shiny & Sparkly Captures visual attention through light, reflection and sparkle to hook even the most reluctant learners. Week 2: Colour Bright, bold and visually stimulating activities that build joint attention and anticipation. Week 3: Animal Beauty Engaging animal-themed surprises that encourage curiosity and shared enjoyment. Week 4: Spring Awakening Seasonal sensory experiences linked to growth, nature and new life. Week 5: Music & Sound Highly motivating auditory elements to promote listening, turn-taking and anticipation. Week 6: Water A favourite sensory theme designed to maintain engagement and end the programme with high motivation. Structure Each week includes: 3 fully themed bucket sessions Predictable structure to support understanding Opportunities for repetition and progression Sensory-rich, visually engaging activities Built-in anticipation and shared moments

Transition Booklet for KS1/ KS2 - end of year, new class, social story. Pages 1 - 6 Booklet Cover page (Year 1 - 6) Page 7 About Me page (name, age, space for a photo, likes/dislikes) Page 8 Introduction to transition Page 9 New teacher’s name and space for a photo/ drawing Page 10 A note from new teacher (to be completed by the teacher) Pages 11 - 13 Introducing the staff (space for photos and notes to be completed by the Year Group staff) Page 14 For photos/ drawings of a new classroom Page 15 New Classroom scavenger hunt activity Pages 16 - 18 For photos/ drawings of the areas in the new year group (playground, toilets, lunch trolley, etc.) Page 19 Things that will stay the same in the new year group (to be completed with the pupil) Page 20 Things that will be different in the new year group (to be completed with the pupil) Page 21 Blank page Page 22 Closing page Page 23 Credits page For most pupils, transition to a new Year group is an exciting time. For some, however, it can be worrying and unsettling. This booklet is created to be used in KS1 and KS2. Teachers and teaching assistants work on completing the booklet together with their pupils, once completed - the book can be used as a Transition Social Story. The document is in .pdf format and not editable. 23 pages included.

Autism Awareness. ** ASD SEN** This is an interactive lesson to help both raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as to help students understand what it may be like to experience some of the potential characteristics of Autism. This presentation can be used in Tutorial or Study Skills and can also be valuable in Units 2, and 12 of Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Health and Social Care All instructions on how to carry out activities can be found in notes. The different activities include: experiencing sensory overload barriers to communication creating timetables to support routines creating Wordclouds/ posters to raise further awareness

Holes by Louis Sachar – Symbol-Supported Chapter Companion | ASD, SEN & SEND | Visual Reading Resource Support learners to access Holes by Louis Sachar with this symbol-supported chapter companion. Each chapter has been carefully adapted using simplified, symbol-supported text to support understanding while following the key events of the original story. Designed for pupils with Autism (ASD), SEND, speech and language needs, learning difficulties, AAC users, EAL learners, and emerging readers, this resource provides additional visual support to develop comprehension, vocabulary, and communication while engaging with this popular novel. Included ✔ Symbol-supported chapter text ✔ Key vocabulary ✔ Core communication words ✔ Feelings and emotions vocabulary ✔ Discussion and comprehension prompts ✔ Speaking and sentence starter prompts ✔ Printable, ready-to-use resource Supports Learning In Reading comprehension Vocabulary development Sequencing and retelling Inferencing and prediction Emotional literacy Speaking and listening Communication skills Ideal For SEND Autism (ASD) Speech and Language Therapy AAC users Special Education Resource Provision Inclusive classrooms Home education Upper KS2 KS3 Description This visual reading companion helps learners follow the story of Stanley Yelnats as he is sent to Camp Green Lake, where he digs holes each day while uncovering mysteries about friendship, family history, justice, and perseverance. The simplified, symbol-supported chapters make the novel more accessible while maintaining the sequence and key events of the original text, supporting inclusive reading and meaningful class participation. Keywords: Holes, Louis Sachar, Symbol Supported Reading, Adapted Novel, ASD, Autism, SEND, SEN, Visual Supports, Reading Comprehension, Communication, AAC, Emotional Literacy, Speech and Language, Printable Resource, Camp Green Lake, Stanley Yelnats, Inclusive Literacy.

A simple ASD screener for primary and secondary school pupils. Please note, this screener does not provide a confirmed diagnosis of ASD but is designed to help professionals/families to identify whether an individual may be presenting with some of the behaviours typical of an individual with ASD. The results of this screener then may help to evidence a referral for a neurodevelopmental assessment if it is felt this would be necessary. Please note, the questions below are taken from a combination of the following documents: DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for ASD, SRS-2 ASD Questionnaire, NHS NDD Teacher Observations Questionnaire. Please remember, the autism spectrum is not linear and it is common for an individual to show more difficulties in one area than another. This was created by an inclusion coordinator of a multi-academy trust and an experienced SENDCO.

Comes with a range of ideas for stage 2-4 Arragend in to sections for Stage 2 Stage 2/3 Stage 3 Stage 3/4 Stage 4 25 pages of ideas

Hello Educators! •This is a PPP of the story The Rainbow Fish (with a few changes) •Curriculum Links: Literacy, PSHE (friendship, sharing, emotions) •Topic Links: Sea Animals, Under the Sea, Rainbow, Colours, Friendship etc. •Props you need: Fish, starfish, Octopus, Glitter for the scales, torch for the cave, emotion cards for the emotions. • Visual board with Widgit symbols is included. • Word mat file is included. •Number Visual for the PPP activity (1-12). •4 extension activities are included in this pack! -Activity 1: Counting Rainbowfish -Activity 2: Bingo mats (Vocabulary) -Activity 3: PPP counting fish (1-5) PMLD and SLD Level -Activity 4: Connect picture to visual SLD Level Enjoy and do not forget to follow me: Instagram: Special_Education_Classroom Facebook: Special Education Classroom Group and Page

Do you have an alternative provision at your school to support those children with SEN? Here is an example of a weekly plan of bespoke interventions as well as the 4 stages of the intervention ‘Attention Autism’.

Symbols for lessons to create specific timetables. Symbols can be cut up, laminated, velcroed etc. This ensures that pupils know what to expect during the day and this can particularly support pupils with SEN, behavioural difficulties or anxiety. Symbolised timetables can be tailoured for the individual pupil or can be displayed for the whole class to see. Simple attached to a strip of velcro. Widget SEND SEN Symbols.

Cut out and laminate to create a coin recognition/matching task. Match pictures to pictures or match pictures to value.

Attention Autism Bucket Plans – 7 Weeks, 3 Sessions per Week (Stages 1–4) A full 7-week Attention Autism programme with engaging, themed bucket activities designed to build attention, engagement, and communication skills. This comprehensive resource provides a structured Attention Autism programme across Stages 1–4, with three sessions per week. Carefully planned to maintain high levels of motivation and participation, each week introduces an exciting new theme while reinforcing familiar routines that support learners with autism and additional needs. The sessions are designed to develop joint attention, anticipation, turn-taking, and early communication through highly visual, sensory-rich activities. Weekly Themes: Week 1: Environment – Explore nature, recycling, and caring for the world through engaging, sensory-based bucket activities. Week 2: Ocean – Dive into exciting under-the-sea themes with water play, sea creatures, and visually captivating experiences. Week 3: Education – Fun, school-themed activities focusing on familiar routines, classroom objects, and early learning concepts. Week 4: Summer Solstice – Bright, seasonal activities celebrating sunshine, light, and summer-themed sensory exploration. Week 5: Social Media or Healthy Eating – Choose between modern, relatable themes or food-based sensory play to promote engagement and discussion. Week 6: Festival – Colourful, musical, and celebratory activities designed to excite and motivate learners through sound, movement, and visuals. Week 7: Graduation – A celebratory week focusing on achievement, participation, and ending the programme with fun, rewarding activities. What’s Included: 7 weeks of fully planned sessions (21 sessions total) Structured plans following Attention Autism Stages 1–4 Engaging Stage 1 “Bucket” ideas to capture attention Stage 2, 3, and 4 activities with clear progression Repetitive structure to support routine and confidence Flexible ideas that can be adapted for different needs and abilities Key Benefits: Builds attention, engagement, and shared focus Encourages communication and interaction Supports learners with autism and additional needs Reduces planning time with ready-to-use ideas Promotes enjoyment and participation in group activities Perfect for EYFS, KS1, and SEN settings, this resource offers a fun, structured, and highly engaging approach to developing essential early skills through Attention Autism.

Teach kindness, safe behaviour and positive social interactions with this engaging, child-friendly social story. This professionally designed Kind Hands Social Story helps children understand how to use kind hands, kind words and safe choices when interacting with others. Created with autistic learners and children with additional needs in mind, it uses simple language, colourful visuals and clear, structured sections to support understanding and emotional regulation. Ideal for use in schools, nurseries, SEND settings, intervention groups and at home. This resource includes: Professionally illustrated social story Child-friendly visual symbols Positive behaviour prompts Kind hands and kind words reminders Safe choices for managing big emotions Editable space for a child’s name High-quality A4 printable format Perfect for: Autism (ASD) SEN / SEND EYFS KS1 KS2 Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Special schools Mainstream classrooms Home education This resource encourages children to build empathy, develop positive friendships and learn appropriate ways to manage emotions while promoting a safe and supportive learning environment. Keywords: Autism, ASD, SEND, SEN, Social Story, Kind Hands, Positive Behaviour, Emotional Regulation, Social Skills, Visual Supports, Classroom Behaviour, EYFS, KS1, KS2, Printable Resource.

**Autism Awareness Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This includes educating people about the challenges faced by individuals with ASD, as well as promoting acceptance and inclusion of those with the condition. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for individuals with ASD. **

This presentation on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) provides an overview of what ASD is, including its key characteristics and how it affects learners. It focuses on strategies for developing positive relationships with students with ASD and offers practical tips for supporting emotional regulation in the classroom. The session also explores how to create supportive environments that cater to the needs of ASD learners, with actionable strategies and advice for educators to implement, ensuring an inclusive and nurturing learning experience for all students.