World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognised day taking place on the 2nd of April every year. Although your attention and priorities are no doubt focused on the pandemic and its consequences, we would like to encourage you to find out more about autism this week and explore ways to support children and young people on the autism spectrum. We have collected below a few free resources for parents and education professionals wanting to know and do more. All these resources have been developed by leading autism education specialists, academics, people on the autism spectrum and parents of children and young people on the autism spectrum.

For parents:

My story about pandemics and the Coronavirus: a Social Story by Carol Gray: This resource was created by Carol Gray and was not commissioned by the AET. The link will take you to the Carol Gray Social Stories website.

Understanding a diagnosis: Watch our videos featuring young people on the autism spectrum, parents and professionals talking about receiving a diagnosis. As Jonathan says in the film he made “You’re autistic. You’re awesome. You’re special” and we hope that these films help you to understand that.

Parent’s guide: These resources can help you find a school for your autistic child and give guidance on how to work together with your child’s school.

For early years professionals:

Good Autism Practice Guidance: The eight principles of good autism practice. These summarise the ethos, values, and practice that should inform inclusive education for all children and young people whilst specifying the distinctive knowledge, teaching approaches required. The Guide is designed to support staff in early years settings to develop effective practice. The case studies serve to illustrate the eight principles. The resources are linked to the new Ofsted Framework, the SEND Code of Practice and the Teacher Standards.

Early Years Autism Competency Framework: This resource sets out the knowledge and skills that are required for professionals in settings working with children on the autism spectrum.

Early Years Autism Standards: A set of standards from the AET, to enable educational settings to evaluate your practice in addressing the needs of children on the autism spectrum.

For primary and secondary school teaching professionals:

Good Autism Practice Guidance: The eight principles of good autism practice. These summarise the ethos, values, and practice that should inform inclusive education for all children and young people whilst specifying the distinctive knowledge, teaching approaches required. The Guide is designed to support staff in schools to develop effective practice. The case studies serve to illustrate the eight principles. The resources are linked to the new Ofsted Framework, the SEND Code of Practice and the Teacher Standards.

Schools Autism Competency Framework: The framework is presented as a self-evaluation tool that practitioners can use to rate their current practice and understanding against a set of descriptors (knowledge, skills, personal qualities).

Schools Autism Standards: A set of standards from the AET, to enable educational settings to evaluate your practice in addressing the needs of pupils on the autism spectrum.

For post 16 professionals:

Good Autism Practice Guidance: The eight principles of good autism practice. These summarise the ethos, values, and practice that should inform inclusive education for all children and young people whilst specifying the distinctive knowledge, teaching approaches required. The Guide is designed to support staff in Post 16 settings to develop effective practice. The case studies serve to illustrate the eight principles. The resources are linked to the new Ofsted Framework, the SEND Code of Practice and the Teacher Standards.

Post 16 Autism Competency Framework: The framework sets out the knowledge and skills that are required for professionals in settings working with learners on the autism spectrum.

Post 16 Autism Standards: A set of standards from the AET, to enable educational settings to evaluate your practice in addressing the needs of young people on the autism spectrum.

For everyone:

Meet the AET Young Persons Panel, a group of autistic young people governing and advising our organisation. They have a very important message for you.

If you are an education professional, this 5-minute video is going to change the way you see your autistic pupils and students and will help you support them better. Watch the video

Find out more