Welcome to The Autism Group, a Maidenhead based charity committed to supporting and enhancing the lives of young people on the spectrum, their parents and carers
What we do
We offer a warm, well informed response to the needs of young people on the autistic spectrum, their parents, carers and wider community through our special interest clubs, workshops and parent support services .
Clubs
We have a range of clubs, in central Maidenhead, for ages 9 to 30 based on various special interests. All our in person Saturday clubs have now restarted.
Workshops
Book in to one of our free virtual TAG talks and, from September 2021, additional face to face workshops, aimed at giving parents a little insight into how autism might affect their young person – and some simple strategies to help support their needs.
Parent Support
Our informal coffee and chat session have restarted. These are led by autism trained team members who also have young people of their own who are on the spectrum. Pre booking essential. For one to one support, check out our TAG@Home service.
Upcoming Events
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latest news
Check out our Blog for thoughts and ideas to help support your loved one with an autism spectrum disorder.
You can also keep up-to-date with us on Facebook and Instagram
COVID 19 training & advice for families from East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group
Facebook Posts
A unique modular sensory pod created by a mum to help her son cope with sensory overload has been given the thumbs up by the autistic community in Bristol who now hope to see the 'Joey pods' used in schools, hospitals and at busy events:![]()
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Read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-61782460 photo Fiona Rourke/ BBC
Around 4 in 10 autistic people also have a learning disability. This week Mencap has been sharing stories of those living with and overcoming learning disabilities.
Therapy dogs as stress busters in the classroom are being pioneered by one Welsh headteacher who is convinced of the well-being benefits particularly for SEN children - read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61900293![]()
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Does your young person have a special connection with your family pet?
More great insights from the team at Autability - this time on the often ever changing sensory profile of our neurodiverse children and how we have to flex to meet the need at the time.When your child has an ever changing sensory profile.![]()
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I can still remember the first sensory assessment my son ever had. An OT came round and watched him for half an hour. She explained he was a huge sensory seeker and pointed out his behaviours to me. ![]()
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At the time I didn't think much about it, I was so overwhelmed with relief that a professional had come round to specifically assess sensory behaviours that I just acted like a school child trying to impress their teacher.![]()
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After she had gone I went and ordered various sensory seeking toys for my son, thinking life would be easier from now on and much calmer. An hour later, his behaviour was completely different from what he had demonstrated in his sensory assessment. ![]()
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Totally confused I researched different sensory profiles online. Seekers and avoiders were the dominant types yet neither described my son. Why? Because he was all of it and none of it at the same time. There was nothing on how to help a child like mine.![]()
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Seeing that my son had major sensory issues, in desperation we paid to see an expert. He spent several hours with our son and used a whole range of sensory toys and equipment while we dutifully sat next door and filled out a questionnaire. A little while later he knocked on the door and asked us to come and see. There was our son, completely calm and relaxed for I think the first time ever.![]()
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He explained to us that our child's sensory profile didn't fit into a box. In fact, it changed every hour and sometimes more frequently. His zone of regulation was tiny and no fixed sensory diet would help him. Instead we had to watch our child and learn from him. Look for signs he was overstimulated, look for signs he was understimulated and then try out numerous sensory toys and see which had the greatest effect.![]()
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This isn't something we managed overnight. It took months if not years, but now we can tell instantly what he needs.![]()
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When he was in school the staff would use sensory equipment to help regulate him. The problem was they didn't know what they were looking for, and why would they?! When he had energy they let him run and jump, assuming he was just overly energetic. What was actually happening was that he was moving out of the zone of regulation and in to a state where he was over stimulated. If he wasn't calmed in the right way he ended up in meltdown. ![]()
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We started writing suggestions for staff in his communication book according to the mood our son was in that morning. I asked them to phone me for advice if they weren't sure on what exercise he needed which they did. I wrote down what to do for each mood or different signs of behaviour so they had a sheet to work from. This was especially useful when he moved class and had a whole new set of staff.![]()
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Set sensory diets didn't work for our son at all. They made him worse. We had to learn to read him. It was hard work, but the best thing we ever did and it was life changing.![]()
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Our sensory information sheet for your child's school is available on our website as well as free downloads and information on sensory types. Link in comments.![]()
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Written by Danielle
Always a pleasure to spend time with parents talking through how we can better understand and support our young people on the spectrum. Thanks to those who joined us virtually today for our workshop on Anxiety. Missed it? take a look at what's coming up and book via GEMS: call 0800 9991342 www.gems4health.com/workshops/