Supporting understanding
This section offers advice and recommendations for how you can help your child understand what you are trying to communicate to them e.g. by using clear language, songs and visuals.
Start by:
Looking at our page on General advice to help your child understand and…
- Try introducing one or two new strategies to begin with.
- Try using those strategies for just 5 minutes once a day or in a particular activity.
- Once you are feeling confident with using them start to use the strategies at other times too.
Then:
Look at the other advice pages listed at the bottom of this page. They focus on how you can help your child understand more specific things such as what is going to happen next in their day, across their whole day or during the week.
Knowing what is going to happen can help make all children, particularly autistic children feel calmer as the events in their day or week become more predictable.
Please note:
- For some children just explaining what routine activity is coming next in their day is enough.
- For other children they may be able to understand more, such as what activities they will be doing now and next or for the rest of the day or week.
- If you feel that what you are trying to explain to your child is too complicated then simplify what you are trying to communicate.
Advice pages:
- General advice to help your child understand
- Using Makaton hand signs to help your child understand and communicate
- Helping your child understand what is happening next
- Helping your child understand what is happening now and next
- Helping your child to understand the main activities of the day or week
- Helping your child to understand what will happen in a new situation
Last updated20 Jan 2025