Autism guides for parents

Written for the questions parents actually type into a search bar at 2am. No jargon, no judgement, and no one selling you a cure.

All articles

An empty primary school classroom with small chairs and a quiet reading corner
School & Support

School Support for Autistic Children: A Parent's Guide

How to get real support at school — IEPs, 504 plans and EHCPs explained, the accommodations that work, and what to do when the school says no.

5 min read
A child using a tablet-based communication app with an adult sitting alongside
Communication

Non-Speaking Autism: How to Support Communication

How to support a non-speaking or minimally speaking autistic child — AAC, PECS, signing and everyday strategies, plus the myths that hold children back.

4 min read
A child's hands spinning a small textured fidget toy in sunlight
Daily Life

What Is Stimming? A Parent's Guide

Stimming explained — what it is, why autistic children do it, when it needs attention, and why stopping it is almost always the wrong response.

4 min read
A speech and language therapist working with a young child using picture cards at a small table
After Diagnosis

Autism Therapies Explained: What Actually Helps

An honest guide to autism therapies — speech therapy, OT, ABA, social skills groups and more — what the evidence says, and how to spot approaches to avoid.

5 min read
A parent and school-age child talking together on a bedroom floor
After Diagnosis

How to Tell Your Child They're Autistic

When and how to tell your child they are autistic, with age-by-age scripts, common mistakes to avoid, and what to do if they react badly.

5 min read
A parent reading a printed clinical report at a table beside a mug of tea
Diagnosis

Autism Levels 1, 2 and 3 Explained for Parents

What autism levels 1, 2 and 3 actually mean, how they relate to 'high' and 'low functioning', and why your child's level can change over time.

4 min read
A clinician sitting on the floor playing with a child using toys during a developmental assessment
Diagnosis

What Happens at an Autism Assessment: A Walkthrough

What to expect at your child's autism assessment — who is in the room, the tests used, how long it takes, and how to prepare without coaching your child.

4 min read
A child at a kitchen table with a plate of separated plain foods
Daily Life

Why Your Autistic Child Won't Eat: Food Selectivity

Food selectivity in autistic children is a sensory issue, not fussiness. Why it happens, when to worry, and the approaches that expand a diet without pressure.

5 min read
A parent and toddler sitting face to face on the floor sharing a picture book
Early Signs

Speech Delay or Autism? How to Tell the Difference

Not every late talker is autistic, and not every autistic child is late to talk. Here is what actually distinguishes a speech delay from autism in toddlers.

5 min read
A child wearing ear defenders sitting calmly in a softly lit corner with cushions
Daily Life

Sensory Processing in Autism: A Parent's Guide

Why sensory differences drive so much autistic behaviour, how to identify your child's sensory profile, and practical changes that make daily life easier.

5 min read
A young girl sitting alone on a school bench reading a book while other children play behind her
Early Signs

Signs of Autism in Girls (and Why They Get Missed)

Autistic girls are diagnosed later and less often than boys. Here is what autism looks like in girls, why masking hides it, and how to get taken seriously.

5 min read
A parent filling in a referral form at a kitchen table with a notebook and pen
Diagnosis

How to Get an Autism Assessment for Your Child

A step-by-step guide to getting your child assessed for autism — who to ask, what to bring, how long it takes, and what to do if you are turned away.

5 min read
A toddler sitting on a rug lining up wooden blocks in a careful row
Early Signs

Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers: A Parent's Checklist

The early signs of autism in toddlers, broken down by age from 12 to 36 months — what they look like in real life, and when to ask for an assessment.

6 min read
A child curled up on the floor beside a sofa while a parent sits calmly nearby
Daily Life

Autism Meltdown vs Tantrum: How to Tell the Difference

Meltdowns are not tantrums, and treating them the same makes them worse. How to tell them apart, what to do in the moment, and how to reduce them over time.

5 min read
A parent and child sitting together on a sofa looking out of a window in the morning light
After Diagnosis

Just Diagnosed: What to Do in the First 30 Days

A calm, practical plan for the first month after your child's autism diagnosis — what to do, what can wait, and what nobody tells you about how you'll feel.

5 min read
A dimly lit child's bedroom at night with a nightlight and a soft blanket
Daily Life

Autism and Sleep: Why Your Child Won't Sleep

Most autistic children have sleep problems. Why autism affects sleep, what to change first, and when melatonin and medical investigation are appropriate.

5 min read

Turn what you notice into evidence

Nomi helps you log meltdowns, moods, foods and sleep, then spot the patterns — the detail that moves referrals and school meetings forward.

Download Nomi free