Nurturing Self-Esteem in Autistic Young People

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HOW GROVE SUPPORTS AUTISTIC YOUNG PEOPLE

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CHAT

Please note: The resources listed below were recommended by attendees during a GROVE session. Inclusion here does not imply endorsement by GROVE. We encourage you to explore them with your own needs and values in mind.

People to Follow / Learn From

• Jade Farrington (Facebook)

• Kristy Forbes

• Pete Wharmby

• Heidi Mavir

• Dean Beadle

• Jodie Clarke

• Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate)

• Yenn Purkis

• Eliza Fricker

• Angela Kingdon

• Emily Katy

• Ellie Middleton

• Lisa Smith

• Emily Price (Autistic SLT)

• Toren Wolf (16yo with autism & ARFID)

• Chris Bonnello (Autistic Not Weird)

• Jamie Knight & Robyn Steward (BBC Sounds)

• Sarah Pilling

• Suzanne Scott (Trauma-informed parenting)

• Jordan at @sensoryclass (Instagram)

• Viv Dawes

• Ali Cutler

Books / Reading Material

Children’s & Teen Fiction

• Elle McNicoll – all books

• Libby Scott – all books

• Can You See Me?, Do You Know Me? (Scott & Westcott)

• M is for Autism

• The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide – Siena Castellon

• The Secret Life of Rose

• A Different Sort of Normal – Abigail Balfe

• What I Mean When I Say I Am Autistic – Kotowicz

• The Rosie Result – Graeme Simsion (3rd in The Rosie Project series)

• The Underdogs series – Chris Bonnello

For Parents & Adults

• Parenting Rewired

• Your Child is Not Broken

• Standing Up for Myself – Evleen Whelton

• Square Peg – Ellie Costello

• The Map of Monotropism – Stimpunks & Autistic Realms

• Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism

• Autism, Bullying and Me – Emily Lovegrove

• Supporting Autistic Young People with Eating Disorders – Kate Tchanturia

• Wired Differently: 30 Neurodivergent People You Should Know – Joe Wells

Websites / Resources

• Autistic Girls Network – support groups, insights

• Spectrum Gaming – support for young people

• Autism Understood – https://autismunderstood.co.uk/

• Ausome Training – parenting courses & learning

• Sendwise Hub

• Stimpunks

• Autistic Realms

• Neurowild

• The Autistic Library – https://theautisticlibrary.com

• Autism Unlocked – https://lsc.autismunlocked.co.uk/

• EDAC – https://edacresearch.co.uk/

• Aucademy – https://www.aucademy.co.uk/

• SEN Parent Support Group – Facebook group

• The Autistic Teacher – Facebook

• Diverse Pathways

• Neuroclastic

• The Lighter Side of PDA – Facebook

Courses / Parent Training / Approaches

• Spectrum Gaming’s Autism Acceptance course

• Trauma-Informed Parenting (T.I.P / TIP)

• Newbold Hope

• Ausome Training 

• ALVS technique – Attend, Label, Validate, Soothe

• Aucademy webinars – especially for parents

Podcasts / Media

• Izzy Judd’s Talking Neurodivergent Kids

• BBC Sounds – Robyn Steward & Jamie Knight

• @sensoryclass – podcast + Instagram

YouTube

• Chris Bonnello (Autistic Not Weird)

• Luke’s books & YouTube channel

• Grian & Minecraft Life series – especially good for tweens/teens

Insights & Personal Wisdom

“Children often tell us what they need, and we have an instinctive reaction that they’re making it up. But trusting and believing them helps them blossom.”#

“We left books and podcasts lying around. Slowly, it helped our teen feel differently.”

“There is so little for children out there. I really recommend BEING ME and your groups, Jess.”

SCRIPTS:

“Meltdowns are really hard – let’s work out what’s leading to those and see if we can reduce whatever it is that’s happening – let me be clear though, I know it’s not your fault’

“You don’t need to change who you are — we need to find what works for you.”

“Your reaction isn’t too much — this place just isn’t set up for your kind of nervous system.”

“There is nothing wrong with needing support to be happy and healthy. Let’s work out what kind of support you need.”

“Small talk isn’t their natural communication style — they connect in different, equally valid ways.”

“We’re following his lead on what kind of friendships feel right.”

“We don’t push eye contact. That’s not part of how he connects.”

“We focus on co-regulation, not punishment.”

“Please avoid saying ‘use your words’ — he’s already communicating.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT…

Neurodiversity: ESSAYS & INTERVIEWS • NEUROQUEER

Neurodiversity-lite: Blog – Neuro-affirming language & nd lite – GROVE and Blog – Neuro-affirming – GROVE

Friendship: Blog – Autistic Young People & Friendships – GROVE

Moving away from ‘social skills training‘: Blog | Therapist Neurodiversity Collective

Autistic burnout: See Viv Dawes, Jodie Clarke, Helen Edgar of Autistic Realms