World Autism Awareness Week – Kids Activities

The annual World Autism Awareness Week this year is April 2nd to 8th this year. Join us and help us spread awareness and increase acceptance. Looking for kids activities for autistic children? Check out our website or app.

Helping autistic children learn through play

At Learning Resources® we make toys that help children learn through hands-on play. Our toys are developed in collaboration with experts to be fun for children to play with and have an educational purpose.

Play is an integral part of all children’s development, and the play that autistic children engage in can sometimes look a little different to the play that neurotypical children engage in.

To help for families and schools to find toys and resources to support autistic children in a neuro affirming way, we’ve worked with an expert to set up a dedicated landing page of toys for autistic children. Here you’ll find a selection of our sensory toys, social and emotional learning toys, Numberblocks® toys and more.

We also have a page dedicated to toys for ADHD. Here you’ll find toys that help support concentration and focus, resources that help children with ADHD to organise their thoughts, ideas and environments. And finally, we also have a selection of active toys that get children moving, learning and having fun.

For more information, visit www.LearningResources.co.uk

Ace Music Therapy CIC – Autism Awareness Week

Ace Music Therapy CIC is a non for profit social enterprise providing music therapy services, music therapy groups, individual music therapy sessions and community music groups to people of all ages and abilities across Essex, London and Hertfordshire. We also deliver continued professional development and training sessions to music therapists, professionals and parents specifically on the use of music and also provide training on Makaton delivered by an experienced Makaton tutor.

Music therapy is a psychological therapy delivered by highly trained allied health professionals who are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). Therapists use music as a tool to engage clients and work towards therapeutic aims such as developing communication skills, providing an outlet for emotional expression and developing self-confidence to name a few.

Music therapy is unique in that it is entirely client led and does not require the use of verbs.

For people with autism who often struggle to express themselves and their emotions, music therapy can help them understand and process their emotions as well as helping to develop their communication, language, listening and attention skills. The client will engage in musical activities during the session and there is non pre-requisite to be musical. We use a variety of different techniques and ensure our clients have the space to be heard and acknowledged. Our music therapists are trained to Masters level and have a deep understanding of child develop and this underpins the techniques they use in the music therapy room. Family are also highly involved in our sessions, we can help develop and strengthen family relationships and provide examples of activities to do outside of the therapy room with your child.

For more information visit www.acemusictherapy.co.uk. Email [email protected]

Call us on 07957225109. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube @acemusictherapy

Abundant Living With Autism Play Scheme

The Abundant Living With Autism Play Scheme (ALWA), is a non profit social enterprise that runs an Ofsted Registered Holiday Club for children with Autism aged 5 to 15 yrs, during the School Holidays and Half Terms.

Children who attend the play scheme can play and engage in tailor made activities that they enjoy, and have the opportunity to explore and learn new skills, make friends, gain independence, promote social interaction, speech and life skills which supports their learning through play. This time also allows their parents and carers some respite time. Some activities are designed to help children with their balance, coordination and other sensory stimuli, whilst having fun in a group environment where we integrate creative and learning themes in a safe setting, supported by qualified and experienced staff.

All the children have access to activities such as instrument exploration, singing songs and movement to music, which is designed to provide a positive musical experience for them. Daily they can engage in a variety of fun filled activities which include a bouncy castle, ride on cars, soft play room water/sand/messy play, wooden puzzles, cooking and baking, ball games, painting, sensory toys and activities, therapy balls, bubble play, arts and crafts, trampolining and outdoor play. Whether it be a rainy day or a sunny one, we endeavour to create a memorable experience for them no matter their needs and abilities.

The Play scheme runs 10 am to 3pm from Russet House School Enfield, and costs £55 per day, £27.50 for half day and £75 per day if one to one support is necessary. Get in touch to find out the dates we are running next!

For more information visit: www.abundantlivingwithautism.org.uk.

Email: [email protected]

Call us on 07940380819

Facebook: www.facebook.com/abundantautism

Spectrum Community Arts Ltd

We are a not-for-profit organisation providing performing arts workshops for people with disabilities and additional needs across Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Spectrum is a place where everyone can be themselves, without judgement! We pride ourselves on having a family-like feel across all levels of the organisation, using the performing arts as a tool to help develop participants’ confidence and social skills.

Spectrum provides out-of-school clubs running on a weekly basis, and bespoke workshops to schools, charities, support groups and other organisations. Currently most of our sessions are virtual, and we are SO proud of how successful they’ve been -we’d love to welcome you/your child into our Spectrum family!

If you would like to find out more about our current weekly virtual sessions, please drop an email to [email protected] or call Jade on 07741280382.  

You can find out more about Spectrum on our website: https://www.spectrumca.co.uk/   

And please do follow us on Facebook and Instagram too!  

We also have a YouTube Channel with over 25 videos you can join along with at home for free!   

“Spectrum is described as a “life-line” by many families, and it brings me so much joy to watch our performers grow and shine in all their unique ways! Spectrum is about providing people with a platform to be themselves, a safe space to learn new skills and a team to feel a part of! I can’t wait for you to join us!” – Jade, Artistic Director

World Autism Awareness Day with Jajaja Books

A book written by Genevieve Yusuf and the Multi-schools Council about the day in the life of a child with special education needs.

This book was written to break down perceptions of children with SEN and has lovely themes of kindness, empathy and inclusion.

Buy Now! 

World Autism Awareness Day with The SEN Resources Blog

I’m Georgina, former teacher and mum of 2. I set up the award winning, Special Educational Needs Resources Blog. Which is visited by thousands per week.

The SEN Resources Blog is a Website for parents and teachers of children with Special Educational Needs. We share advice, learning activities to help develop key skills (numeracy, literacy, communication, fine motor, gross motor etc) as well as recommended resources.

Due to schools closing because of Coronavirus we have also set up daily free home learning videos on YouTube ‘Ways To Learn Through Play At Home’ to help primary aged children continue learning at home. Activities are play based and fun and include activities such as making a post box, maths games with cars and our favourite…vinegar and bicarbonate of soda volcanoes!  We have a Facebook group to share ideas for home learning and support one another through this difficult time which can be found here and you are more than welcome to join.

Twitter – www.twitter.com/senresourceblog

Facebook – www.facebook.com/senresourcesblog

Instagram – www.instagram.com/thesenresourcesblog 

World Autism Awareness Day with My Mood Stars

These 8 adorable plush Mood Stars help children identify and acknowledge the emotions of others as well as themselves.

The My Mood Stars pop on and off their own My Mood Stars board creating games to play and stories to make!

There is Happy Star, Sad Star, Silly Star, Angry Star, Surprised Star, Sleepy Star, Timid Star and Scared Star.

(But you can name them according to the vocabulary you use in your own home)

My Mood Stars have proved to be particularly helpful to those children on the autism spectrum as a visual and tactile toy that can be carried around and cuddled!

Website is www.mymoodstars.co.uk

Facebook www.facebook.com/mymoodstars

Twitter www.twitter.com/mymoodstars

Instagram www.instagram.com/mymoodstars

World Autism Awareness Month with Rhino UK

Rhino UK are sensory play specialists. And they’re gearing up to celebrate the creativity, joy and enthusiastic spirit of World Autism Day!

Fidgeting or ‘stimming’ is a coping mechanism lots of people in the autistic community use to channel their twitches, anx­­­iety and extra energy to help them feel calm and focused in a wide range of environments.

The sensory experts at Rhino UK have tried and tested all the fidget toys they could get their hands on so that they could put together a list of their Top 5 Fidgets for you to enjoy.

Coming at the top is their Glow in the Dark Push Pop Fidget! Like an endless roll of bubble wrap, this glowing fidget provides terrific tactile and sound stimulation, as well as building your fine motor skills as you ‘pop’ the soft silicone domes over and over again.

You can find your own Glow in the Dark Push Pop Fidget along with the rest of Rhino UK’s best fidgets over on their website: www.rhinouk.com/product-category/sensory-resources/sensory-fidgets/

And don’t forget to check out their social channels for sensory inspiration, tips and advice:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RhinoSensoryUK/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RhinoSensoryUK

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rhinosensoryuk/

Autism Awareness Day with Sensory Treasures

Sensory Treasures create bespoke packs especially for individual use. Considering age, (All Ages) interests, needs and even your favourite colour.

Great for helping through challenging times. For use at home, school, traveling, holidays, appointments etc.

Including ideas for gifts, party bags, Easter and all occasions, available to order for all ages. In a unique bag or basket.

Sets come in a handy cotton drawstring bag, that are ideal for storing and transporting. The basket is brilliant for easy access and comes gift wrapped.

Treasure Baskets are also available for sensory learning with baby. Adapted for individual age.

To find out more: www.sensorytreasures.co.uk

Larger packs are available for sharing, group work, training resources etc.

Looking for ideas and to see more fabulous examples check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sensorytreasures  

TomTag visual support solutions

TomTag, from Orkid Ideas, is an award-winning visual support system inspired by Tomas, a young boy with autism.

The TomTag system consists of colourful, sturdy tags, click in buttons and water-resistant symbol stickers. It’s a quick and easy way to make personalised visual schedules, timetables, checklists and reminders – no need for any time-consuming printing or laminating.

TomTag is particularly helpful for children (aged 3 upwards), and young people with autism because it reduces their anxieties and frustrations and makes it easier for them to understand, follow and remember what they need to do.

Portable and robust, TomTag is ideal for use in the home or at school- it’s also just as easy to take it with you when you’re out and about. What’s more, it’s a visual support that children love to use!

Visit www.orkidideas.com for more information about TomTag products, where you can also get free downloads, advice and ideas on how TomTag can help your family.

Special Needs Mouthing Glove with Gummee