Autism School Support Services: Bridging the Gap Between the Home and the Classroom in the UK
Autism School Support Services: How to Bridge the Gap Between the Home and the Classroom
Navigating the UK school system when your child is autistic can feel complex and isolating. But with the right knowledge, tools and support, you can ensure your child receives the understanding and resources they need for success.
1. Understand the System: SEN Support & EHCPs
SEN Support is the first level of support within mainstream schools. Your child’s SENCO leads on coordinating adaptations - such as classroom aides, visual schedules, or sensory breaks.
If your child’s Special Needs are more significant, apply for an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) through your local authority. This legally binding plan specifies tailored support, additional funding, and must be reviewed annually (autism.org.uk).
Don’t hesitate to appeal if your EHCP request is declined - you have legal rights and access to independent tribunals. Visit here if your request is denied and you need to appeal: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/appeals-against-a-refusal-to-issue-an-ehc-plan
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2. Advocate Strategically & Passionately: Be Your Child’s Voice
Attend key meetings: SENCO reviews, EHCP assessments, and parent–teacher check-ins.
Document specific needs: Write clear letters/emails requesting accommodations like extra exam time or assistive tech. This is a great resource which has templated letters you can use for specific scenarios (inclusiveteach.com).
Track implementation: Follow up regularly to ensure adjustments are in place.
Raise awareness: Encourage staff training and peer understanding - normalising Autism in school benefits everyone. Check out this informative article on How Schools Can Create Autism-friendly classrooms that benefit everyone.
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3. Co-create Inclusive Strategies
Introduce visual supports like timetables or “worry books” to ease anxiety and transitions (https://www.autismclassroom.com/strategies/visual-supports)
Prioritise sensory comfort: Use quiet zones, ear defenders, or calm-down areas as needed.
Consider peer-led support, such as a “Circle of Friends,” to boost inclusion and reduce isolation. You can read all about the theory behind Circle of Friends here.
Set up daily feedback loops - a simple traffic-light desk chart or pupils’ self-ratings to keep you informed. You can read about feedback loops here.
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4. Prepare Transitions & Prevent School Avoidance
Break in new environments with staggered starts or part-day attendance schedules.
Pre-visit routes and routines: Walk the path to school, visit classrooms ahead of time and minimise surprises.
Keep communication open: If anxiety surfaces, share insights using visuals or direct conversation onto something positive or their favourite topic.
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5. Empower with Skills & Confidence
Support your Autistic child’s resilience by:
Teaching self-awareness: Help your ASD child recognise signs of stress and the resulting strategies to cope. Here are the most popular ways to help an Autistic child de-stress in the classroom, why not bring these to the teacher and look at ways of implementing them?
Teaching students about Neurodiversity: The Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) resource pack is a relatively new, free tool launched in 2022 for mainstream primary teachers to introduce neurodiversity concepts to classes of students age 8-11 years. You can learn more about LEANS here, it is a free programme that parents of Autistic children should definitely take advantage of.
Building self-advocacy: We can build self-advocacy by using simple prompts and role-play exercises that let them express confusion or ask for quiet time in class Check out this article on ‘“How to teach self-advocacy skills to individuals with autism”. The teacher needs to be fully involved with this one for it to work.
Progressive independence: Encourage small responsibilities so they feel independent, ownership and confidence.
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6. Know Your Community Resources
All Behaviour Consultancy: Provides “working with school” toolkits in London schools and training for School staff.
We provides BCBA (Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst) Specialist care for children and young adults in London, starting with an FBA (Functional Behaviour Assessment) to understand the child (or adult’s) behaviour. We also offer UK-wide services online.
Website: www.allbehaviourconsultancy.com
The Speech and Language Therapy Service (SLT): Provides communication therapy to help Autistic children develop communication skills. Available through the NHS.
Website: NHS Speech and Language Therapy
London Borough SEN Support Services: Each London borough has a Special Educational Needs (SEN) department that helps Autistic children access support within mainstream schools.
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service) . Website: SENDIASS
Check out our comprehensive and full list of Resources for Autism Spectrum in London here
Behaviour Support for Autistic and Special Needs children in London Schools.
At All Behaviour Consultancy, we specialise in providing Behaviour Support for Autistic and Special Needs children in London Schools.
Our team of Behaviour Specialists are able to provide:
EHCP & SENCO advocacy: Helping you prepare, present, and press for the School support your child deserves.
Practical school planning: From sensory audits to behaviour strategies, we collaborate with educators to ensure a consistent approach.
Parent empowerment: Through bespoke coaching, we equip you to bring calm, clarity, and confidence to those meetings and conversations.
Seamless toolbox of supports: Visual aids, worry logs, peer-group strategies, self-advocacy tools—all rooted in your child’s daily life.
Ongoing review: Quarterly progress checks to adapt plans as your child grows.
Parents often tell us they feel “exhausted by meetings and missed deadlines” or “in the dark when results don’t translate into support.”
You don’t have to navigate these alone.
Let us help you bridge the gap between home and school so your loved child can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
Find out more by filling in the form below or book your free introduction call. Together, we can transform school from a feared battleground to a happy place.
Contact us
We are based in South London, and provide ABA therapy at home in the London areas, as well as offering online ABA services to the rest of the UK.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.