ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some strategies that have been put together from many years' experience of working with young people with autism/social communication and interaction difficulties. One of the main challenges for autistic young people is maintaining emotional and physiological regulation. Difficulties with sensory processing are particularly prevalent in autistic young people. Autistic young people may perceive what they see differently to neurotypical children – for example, they may find brightly decorated rooms dazzling and hence intolerable. A significant source of anxiety for autistic young people is that life may feel very confusing and unpredictable on several levels. Many autistic young people find unstructured social time with their peers challenging. Schools are often able to provide a safe place that socially vulnerable pupils can use during break and lunchtimes, where they can engage with a small group of other pupils, perhaps with adult supervision.
