Include 'In' Autism

09/11/2025

04/11/2025

First Steps ED is an award-winning charity supporting children, young people, adults, and parents and carers affected by eating difficulties and disorders. Built by a team that have experience and knowledge around eating disorders, this enables us to continue our quality-assured support.

Find out more about the support they can offer by following the QR code below.

02/11/2025

Ever seen a child who seems clumsy, bumps into things, chews on clothes, or presses too hard when writing?
It could be linked to their proprioceptive system — the body’s hidden sense that tells us where we are in space and how much pressure or force to use.

Understanding proprioception helps us see behaviour differently.
It’s not “sensory seeking” or “fidgety for no reason” — it’s a nervous system trying to feel safe and organised.

Let’s look at what proprioception really is, and why it matters so much for emotional and sensory regulation.

01/11/2025

Masking takes energy — the constant effort to seem ‘fine’ when the emotional brain is anything but.
Over time, that effort shows up as exhaustion, burnout, and shutdown.

When we understand why a child masks, we can start creating the safety they need to take the mask off.

Explore practical ways to support unmasking and emotional safety in Masking, the Toolkit, from The Contented Child at link in comments ⬇️ or via Linktree Store in Bio.

01/11/2025

Before a child can manage their emotions, they first need to notice them.
That begins with interoception — the hidden sense that helps the brain read the body’s signals.

A racing heart, a heavy chest, butterflies, a tight tummy — these are the body’s early messages.
When a child can’t interpret them, emotions can appear “sudden” or “out of nowhere.”
They’re not ignoring how they feel — their brain simply isn’t getting a clear signal yet.

Understanding interoception helps us respond with patience, not punishment — and teach children how to recognise what their body is trying to say.

Explore Managing Big Feelings: The Toolkit for Parents & Educators — practical guidance to help children build awareness, understanding, and self-regulation. Link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

01/11/2025

So often misunderstood as 'clumsiness' or 'laziness', dyspraxia is actually a neurological difference that affects how the brain plans and coordinates movement.

For a child, that can mean everyday tasks — writing, getting dressed, catching a ball — take far more mental energy than we realise.

When we understand the why, we can respond with patience, not pressure.

26/10/2025

26/10/2025

This powerful new animation has been co-designed and co-produced with autistic people and people with a learning disability. It is aimed at helping staff and...