Christmas tips

Issue 45

Autumn 2019

Be ready for the festive season! Years of experience with families (as well as our own) have contributed to some simple yet effective advice for reducing anxiety over Christmas and on the big day itself.

The Search for the Holy Grail. Another favourite from our archives goes straight to the heart of what you experience straight after diagnosis. You’re looking for answers, and lots of them. But everything seems so slow. Why? And what to do about it? Is there a Holy Grail? Read our guidance.

The Inside Angle - Jo Richardson who runs The Sanctuary Facebook page for autistic mothers, talks about ‘the anxiety demon’.

Time for Your Check-up! Making medical appointments more autism friendly.

Ask the Experts - ‘Sometimes when I try to persuade my son to do something he doesn’t want to (but has to), he kicks me’.

Cover story: Miguel and Amanda Hayworth run a company offering sugar-free alternatives, and their autistic children help out!

The Autism Parent’s Safety Gadget Guide. Elaine and Colin Pratt run Hartlands Holiday Centre for autism families in the Isle of Wight. Their apartments have been fitted with bespoke gadgets with safety mind mind. Check out the top 12 safety gadgets they wouldn’t be without.

Issue 37

Autumn 2017

Ask the Experts: Why Doesn't My Daughter Make Eye Contact with People?

Have Yourself An Autism Friendly Christmas

The Inside Angle: The Confusing World of Metaphors, by Michael Barton: Author of It's Raining Cats and Dogs and A Different Kettle of Fish, Michael Barton explains how others can make the world an easier place for literal thinkers.

Lads and Dads: WHEN your son is autistic, life isn’t quite what you thought it would be. But the dads we know have found plenty of ways to bond in a blokey way, even if it’s not playing keepy uppies in the park!

Autism's Mystery Ingredient: When we learn the definition of autism, three key elements are mentioned, but only two of them are generally well explained. Problems with communication and social interaction are relatively easy to understand, but what exactly does ‘imagination’ refer to? Is it the same as Flexibility of Thought?

Issue 33

Autumn 2016

Cast Your Own Spell for An Autism-Friendly Hallowe'en
Top tips on a Hallowe'en with no nasty surprises, from autism expert Elizabeth Sautter

When the World Shares Your Special Interest: Autistic teenager Adam Barkworth's life has been transformed by Pokemon Go.

Don't Go Crackers At Christmas! Our supplement kicks off with top tips for Christmas Day.

Pull Out Shopping Guide for Friends and Family Ten ideas and tips for buying gifts for youngsters who have autism.

Blogdashina: Incoming Sensory Missiles: Renowned autism expert Olga Bogdashina talks about hypersensitivity

From a Black & White World to Thinking in Colour - How to improve flexibilty of thought: Lauren Kerstein, author of A Week of Switching, Shifting and Stretching: How to make my thinking more flexible, shares some great practical advice for improving flexibility of thought. 

The Sixth Sense: Proprioception is no longer a mystery!

Ask the Experts: Removing clothes in public

Issue 13

Autumn 2011

AuKids is thoroughly in its stride by now and its editors, three years into publication, have been steeped in the autism world long enough to write some guidelines of their own. Reviews of Apps appear on the menu as their popularity among the special needs community rises. Our graffiti-style Jargon Buster, explaining all the weird and wonderful terminology used by experts, has since been made into a poster.

Ask the Experts tackles chewing with some great recommended products. In The School Run, we talk about finding a suitable setting for your child and how to communicate their needs to their primary school. We round off with a lovely colourful Christmas feature with some great present ideas as well as general hints to get you through the festive season.