• Create routines: Having a routine helps a child know what to expect which in turn makes them feel calmer and safer. ​
• Create a sensory calm pack: Place sensory toys/objects that your child is soothed by into a bag to prevent autistic meltdowns.
• Give your child space: this is a quiet space or area where the child can go if overwhelmed.​
• Look out for triggers – both existing and new: Removing one thing from the environment may prevent sensory overload and meltdown. It may also be possible to have a calming activity prepared if you know your child finds a particular experience difficult. ​
• Talk to a professional about the use of a weighted blanket if your child finds it difficult to sleep or stay still: your child’s sensory system could either be overloaded or they could be seeking sensory input. Weighted blankets may help provide the pressure your child craves. ​

Useful websites

• National Autistic Society (NAS) – The UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. Offers advice on social skills, education, play, and friendship-building.
• Ambitious about Autism – Provides resources for parents, carers, and professionals, including toolkits for supporting social development and inclusion.
• Contact – Supports families with disabled children, including those with autism. Offers guidance on social opportunities, play, and peer support.
• Autism Education Trust (AET) – 
  Focuses on educational settings but includes helpful materials for parents and carers on building social confidence.
• Torbay Family Hubs, managing emotions webpage