Autism Toolbox for parents and carers

There are many reasons why children and young people with autism may struggle at school.

This can be because they:

• find it hard to leave the security of their family home
• have trouble getting used to daily routines that don’t match their own
• have trouble making new friends
• find the noise, smell, or sounds overwhelming

For some children and young people with autism, difficulties dealing with school can lead to disruptive behaviour or not wanting to go to school.

It is helpful to think about the difficulties they may be having and how this could be addressed. Sometimes environmental factors such as unexpected or loud noise, sounds, smells, lighting, crowds or changes or lack of routine can make the day in school difficult.

Speak with the school to discuss any adjustments that might help, such as avoiding busy times of day, visual timetables, a different sitting position in class.

The Specialist Teachers team can offer further advice and guidance to education settings for Children and Young People.

Read about the support your child can get in school, college or early years settings in the education section of the SEND local offer.

If you feel that you, or your child’s education provider, needs help to understand your child’s difficulties, you can speak to the Buckinghamshire Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) service.

The Buckinghamshire branch of Mind can also help you with schools and education.

Young Minds has tips to help children and young people with autism who are anxious about school or do not want to go to school.