Speech Therapy communication boards, OT daily routines, CBT emotional regulation scales, visual schedules, sensory diet planners, and more. All updated with 2026 guidelines. No sign-up needed.
Updated specifiers now explicitly include sensory sensitivities in Criterion B. Clinicians are guided to document support needs across 5 dimensions, not assign severity as a single number.
ASHA 2026 โ AAC & Communication
AAC should be offered proactively to all minimally verbal individuals โ not as a last resort. Communication Bill of Rights updated 2025 affirms all people have a right to an effective communication system.
AOTA 2026 โ OT Practice Framework
OT Practice Framework Edition 4 foregrounds sensory processing and interoception as foundational occupation supports. Co-regulation is now a named OT intervention approach.
IDEA Reauthorization 2026 (USA)
Executive functioning supports must now be explicitly documented in IEPs. Schools must provide sensory accommodations as part of FAPE. Neurodiversity-affirming language is incorporated.
IACC Strategic Plan 2025โ2026
Shifts funding priority toward quality of life, community inclusion, and autistic-led research. Calls for increased services for adults โ historically underserved compared to children.
NAS & NICE UK 2025 Updates
NICE guidelines (NG142 updated 2025) now explicitly recommend post-diagnostic support as standard, not optional. EHCP statutory guidance updated to require sensory environment assessments in schools.
Therapy types explained
Understanding what each therapy involves helps families make informed choices. Updated with 2026 evidence.
Speech-Language Therapy (SLT)
Strong evidence
Targets communication โ verbal speech, AAC devices, social language, and understanding. Recommended as first-line support for most autistic children. Usually 1โ2 sessions/week with home practice.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Strong evidence
Addresses sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care, and daily living activities. Especially helpful for sensory sensitivities. Sensory integration therapy is a key component.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Evidence + debate
Behaviour-based intervention reinforcing desired behaviours. Strong evidence for skill building, but debated in the autistic community. Prioritise naturalistic, child-led ABA if chosen. Provider quality varies significantly.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
Strong evidence
Play-based, naturalistic intervention for ages 12 monthsโ5 years. Combines ABA with developmental and relationship-based approaches. One of the most rigorously studied early interventions.
PECS (Picture Exchange Communication)
Good evidence
Picture-based communication for non-speaking or minimally speaking children. Children exchange picture cards to communicate wants. Often a stepping stone toward other communication methods.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Good evidence (anxiety)
Adapted CBT is evidence-based for anxiety and depression in autistic adolescents and adults. Most effective with therapists experienced in autism.
Government benefits & funding by country
USA
Medicaid / EPSDT + SSI:Children under 21 on Medicaid are entitled to autism services under EPSDT. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) for disabled children. Apply at SSA.gov.
UK
DLA / PIP:Disability Living Allowance (children under 16) and Personal Independence Payment (adults 16+). Many autistic people qualify. Apply at GOV.UK. NAS benefits helpline: 0808 800 4104.
Australia
NDIS:National Disability Insurance Scheme provides funding for therapy, equipment, and support. Most autistic children qualify. Early intervention packages from age 2. Apply at ndis.gov.au.
India
RPWD Act 2016:Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act provides rights to education and employment. Disability certificate from CMO enables concessions. National Trust schemes provide supported living assistance.
Canada
DTC + RDSP:Disability Tax Credit provides federal tax relief. Registered Disability Savings Plan for long-term security. Provincial autism funding varies โ check your province's website.
EU
EU Disability Strategy:Each EU member state has its own system. Autism Europe (autism-europe.com) provides country-by-country guidance for European families.
Recommended books
๐
The Reason I Jump
Naoki Higashida ยท Translated by David Mitchell
Written by a 13-year-old non-speaking autistic boy. One of the most powerful first-person accounts of autism ever written. Essential reading for understanding autism from the inside.
๐
NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism
Steve Silberman
Comprehensive history of autism โ from Kanner to today's neurodiversity movement. Winner of the Samuel Johnson Prize. Deeply researched and accessible.
๐
Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
Ellen Notbohm
Practical, empathetic guide for parents and teachers. Written from the child's perspective. One of the most widely recommended books for new autism parents.
๐
Unmasking Autism
Dr. Devon Price
Explores autistic masking. Essential for understanding autism in women, girls, and late-diagnosed adults.
Recommended apps & tools
LetMeTalk
Free AAC ยท Android
Open-source AAC app. Children tap pictures to build sentences. Fully functional, no subscription.
Cboard
Free AAC ยท All platforms
Web-based AAC board. Works on any device. Supports 25+ languages. Free for personal use.
Proloquo2Go
Paid $249 AAC ยท iOS
Industry-standard AAC app used in schools and clinics. Robust symbol library. Often covered by insurance or NDIS.
Choiceworks
Paid $6.99 Schedules ยท iOS
Visual schedule, waiting, and feelings boards. Simple for young children. Widely recommended by occupational therapists.
Khan Academy Kids
Free Learning ยท All platforms
Comprehensive learning app covering literacy, maths, and social-emotional learning. Self-paced and visual โ well-suited to many autistic learners.
Calm
Free tier Sensory ยท All platforms
Mindfulness app with sleep stories and breathing exercises. Useful for anxiety management and bedtime routines.