Sensory Kidz Universe

When I say “school adjustments,” I don’t mean building a luxury en-suite classroom with beanbags and a private chef (although let’s be honest, I wouldn’t say no to that). I’m talking about the small, simple changes that make a HUGE difference for autistic kids in school. In the UK, these are often called reasonable adjustments – basically, tweaks schools are legally meant to make under the Equality Act. The good news? Most of them don’t cost a fortune or require a special SEN budget. They just take a bit of understanding, planning, and compassion. Here’s a breakdown of school adjustments every classroom should be making – and why they matter. Sensory Adjustments School can be a full-on sensory battlefield: buzzing lights, scraping chairs, loud assemblies, perfume clouds from Year 11 girls who bathed in Impulse body spray… you get the idea. Easy sensory adjustments include: Quiet corners/calm spaces – a beanbag, tent, or even a cosy chair at the back where kids can retreat wh...

  What Is Parental Burnout? (And Why Autism Parents Get Hit Harder) Parental burnout is that bone-deep exhaustion where even a full night’s sleep (remember those?) wouldn’t fix it. It’s when you feel like you’re running on fumes, snapping at tiny things, and wondering if you’re cut out for this whole parenting gig. Spoiler: you are. For autism parents, burnout hits harder because our load is heavier: therapy appointments, EHCP paperwork, sensory meltdowns, public stares, and 2am wake-ups on repeat. It’s not just “tired,” it’s emotional overload. Signs of Parental Burnout in Autism Parenting How do you know if you’re edging into burnout territory? Here are the big red flags: 😴 You’re constantly exhausted (and no, coffee doesn’t touch it). 😤 You’re snappy over the tiniest things. 🥀 You feel numb or detached, like you’re just going through the motions. 😔 Mum guilt has you in a chokehold: “I should be doing more, I should be better.” 🤯 Your brain is frazzled fr...

Let’s be honest… homework is the absolute bane of most parents’ lives. Add autism into the mix and suddenly that “just 20 minutes of reading” turns into a two-hour standoff, tears (from both sides), and you questioning whether school secretly hates you. If homework at your house feels like you’re negotiating with tiny, exhausted lawyers armed with crayons, you’re not alone. Autistic kids often find homework harder than their neurotypical classmates — not because they’re lazy, but because school already drains every drop of energy they have. By the time they get home, they’re running on fumes. So if evenings in your house are more meltdown than maths worksheet, grab a brew — here are 10 stress-free(ish) strategies that really help. Why autistic kids struggle with homework After-school burnout – masking all day in school takes so much effort, so by 3pm your child is DONE. Executive function overload – planning, organising, and switching tasks doesn’t come easy. Sensory han...

You’d think moving up a year in school would be easy, wouldn’t you? Same uniform, same playground, same building. But no — the jump from Reception to Year 1 is like being shoved off a cosy little cloud and dropped straight into a storm. My little boy has just started Year 1 and honestly? It’s been awful. He doesn’t want to go, he hates his new class, he won’t even talk to his friends anymore. He’s clinging to me at drop-off and, more painfully, asking to go back into nursery with his little sister. I’ve even been picking him up at 11:15 some days because it’s all just too much. And if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re going through something similar. Why this jump is so brutal for autistic kids Reception is play-based. There’s a lot of movement, flexibility, and comfort. Teachers are usually warm and nurturing, the whole vibe feels gentle. Then Year 1 hits. Suddenly there are desks, stricter routines, “sit still” expectations, and a whole new teacher who doesn’t know your c...

Ever wondered how your child can spend six hours at school being the picture of “fine” — and then the second they get home, BAM, full meltdown, shoes thrown, tears rolling, the works? Yeah, welcome to the world of masking. It’s not that our kids are being “naughty” or “dramatic.” It’s that they’ve been working overtime all day just to fit in — and by 3:30pm, they’re done. Totally, utterly fried. What Is Masking in Autism? Masking is when an autistic child “covers up” their natural behaviours to blend in. Think: forcing eye contact, copying how others sit or talk, hiding their stims, laughing along even when they don’t get the joke. It’s basically survival mode. And here’s the kicker: the better they mask at school, the bigger the explosion when they’re finally safe at home. Why Kids Mask at School Peer pressure: Nobody wants to be “the different one.” Fear of punishment: Some schools see stimming or needing breaks as “bad behaviour.” Sensory overload: The noise, lights, smells… but no ...

  Ever wish your kid would just go to bed so you can breathe for five minutes… and then an hour later you’re scrolling through photos of their sweet little faces while they sleep, feeling bad for every sharp word you said that day? Yep. That’s the joy of mum guilt — and autism parenting comes with it in bulk. What is Mum Guilt (and Why Autism Makes It Worse)? “Mum guilt” is that voice in your head that says: you’re not doing enough, you messed up again, they deserve better. Now add autism into the mix: Therapy appointments you missed. Meltdowns in Tesco where strangers gave you that look. Comparing your child to “typical” kids in the playground. It’s like parenting with a running commentary of “could do better” . Common Triggers for Autism Mum Guilt Losing your patience → Yep, shouting happens. You’re not a robot. Screen time → Roblox is basically a co-parent at this point. Not enough “fun sensory play” → The Pinterest mums are lying, don’t worry. ...

  So, you’ve heard the word EHCP thrown around by school, doctors, or that mum on Facebook who swears by hers… and you’re sat there thinking: “What on earth is it and do I need one for my child?” Deep breath, love. Grab a brew. I’m about to break it down in plain English — no jargon, no fancy legal talk, just the stuff we actually need to know as parents. What is an EHCP? EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care Plan . Think of it as a legal promise that says: 👉 here’s what your child struggles with 👉 here’s the support they need 👉 here’s who has to provide it It’s not just a school thing either — it can cover health and social care too. Basically, it’s a safety net that means your child doesn’t fall through the cracks. Who Can Get an EHCP? Here’s the big myth: it’s not only for children in special schools or kids with the highest level of need. If your autistic child, ADHD’er, or sensory seeker is struggling to access education the same as their peers, you can ...

 Your child is screaming, sobbing, maybe even hitting or throwing. You feel the eyes of strangers burning into you in Tesco, or your other kids are hiding under the table at home. Your brain is screaming “fix it now!” — but everything you do seems to make it worse. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Autism meltdowns aren’t “bad behaviour.” They’re a neurological response — the brain’s way of saying “I can’t cope with this input anymore.” And the way you respond can either make it better… or ten times harder. Why Meltdowns Can’t Be “Stopped” Here’s the truth: meltdowns aren’t something your child can just snap out of . They’re caused by nervous system overload . Once the switch flips, they have zero control over what’s happening. Your job isn’t to stop the meltdown. Your job is to keep them safe, ride it out with them, and help their system calm down. 💡 Rare fact: Research shows it can take up to 90 minutes for the nervous system to fully reset after a big meltdown. So if ...