Child Autism UK - ABA

06/11/2026

Happy Diwali to all the families celebrating! 🪔✨

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a wonderful time to get creative together. We’ve put together five fun, hands-on activities to try at home, from paper lanterns and play dough rangoli (brilliant for sensory play and fine motor skills) to no-cook Doodh Peda sweets the kids can make themselves.

Every child celebrates in their own way, so go at your own pace and enjoy the moments that feel right for your family. 💛

04/11/2026

The proposed SEND reforms look set to be delayed again, according to the iPaper, with the Government’s response to the consultation reportedly slipping to the new year.

The Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, is due before the Education Select Committee today. We hope MPs press her on the timetable and on what families can expect.

Child Autism UK CEO, Suzy Yardley, said: “Many parents and campaigners have serious concerns that some of the white paper’s proposals could remove or restrict children’s legal rights. The Government must listen to these voices and ensure children and young people can access the support and education they need. At the same time, constant delays mean more anxiety and uncertainty for parents and children who are forced to navigate a broken and underfunded system. We cannot kick the can down the road indefinitely.”

Child Autism UK was among the 36 campaigners who wrote to ministers last month urging them to rethink key elements of the proposals. Meanwhile, a successful petition by teenage autistic campaigner TeeJay means Parliament will debate the reforms again.

The Department for Education has not confirmed a date for the white paper.

Reforms will make it difficult to put reforms in place before the next General Election

04/11/2026

🎆 Bonfire Night is coming! 🎆

The bangs, flashes and crowds can be overwhelming for autistic children. Ear defenders, watching from home and talking about it beforehand can all help. Do what works for your family. 💜

Need support? Visit www.childautism.org.uk or call our helpline on 01344 882248

29/10/2026

We recently hosted our first W**e Tasting event with our new Corporate Partners, LION W**es! Our fundraisers enjoyed a journey through Spain’s vineyards, one glass at a time.

It was fascinating to learn how each w**e is produced and what gives every one its unique character.

Alongside a sparkling w**e and a selection of reds and whites, guests enjoyed a delicious Spanish tapas platter.

To find out more about how your business can become a Child Autism UK corporate partner, please message [email protected]

Keep an eye out for details of our next w**e adventure so you can reserve your place!

**eTasting

27/10/2026

🎃 Looking for some Halloween fun that doesn't involve a busy night of trick-or-treating? 👻

We've put together some of our favourite spooky (but not too scary!) food ideas that are perfect for making together at home, from ghost pizzas and mummy hotdogs to banana ghosts, mandarin pumpkins, fairy cakes and Halloween cookies.

Cooking together can be a great way to enjoy the season at your own pace. Children can get involved with as much or as little as feels right for them: cutting ghost shapes, wrapping the mummies, adding googly eyes or simply choosing the decorations. Every recipe can be adapted to suit different tastes and sensory preferences, so swap ingredients freely and make it your own.

Scroll through the images for the full recipes, and we'd love to see your creations! Share your photos in the comments below 👇

23/10/2026

There's no right way to do Halloween 🎃

Whether your family is trick-or-treating, painting pumpkins, giving out sweets at the door or snuggled up with a film, it all counts. Every family celebrates in the way that works for them, and we'd love to see yours!

See some of our ideas - please share yours, by popping a photo or a few words in the comments below 👇

20/10/2026

10/10/2026

Yesterday’s government review of ADHD, autism and mental health made a lot of headlines.

Child Autism UK's CEO Suzy Yardley spoke to LBC's Johanathn Ray about some of the report's positive messages, particularly that people shouldn't need a diagnosis to get help.

Suzy also addresses some of the headlines that have misrepresented the report's findings on overdiagnosis. She stresses that the authors say the problem lies with the system, not the individual - with waiting lists leaving children and young people waiting years for a diagnosis.

Suzy reiterates that children's legal rights need to be protected to ensure they always have a safety net.

09/10/2026

We must continue to protect children's legal rights to ensure everyone receives the education and support they need.

As a signatory of this letter to the Government from the Save Our Children’s Rights campaign, Child Autism UK continues to advocate for children, parents and carers.

The letter calls on the Government to reconsider proposals in the Schools’ White Paper that remove or weaken 20 key rights children, young people with SEND and their families rely on.

In an open letter, celebrities, academics and charities join SOCR calling on the Government to drop plans to cut SEND legal rights

08/10/2026

An independent, Government-commissioned report into rising mental health, autism and ADHD diagnoses will reject the narrative that UK is experiencing overdiagnosis. The report will also argue that school pupils should be able to access support without a diagnosis.

Child Autism UK’s Suzy Yardley said: “It is good to see hugely inflated claims of over-diagnosis and misdiagnosis officially squashed by the report, which also recognises that the distress children and young people face day-to-day is very real.

“At Child Autism UK, we have always believed support should not depend on a diagnosis. Going forward, it is vital that any SEND reforms must ensure a child’s ongoing support and education are underpinned by existing legal rights.”

Professor Peter Fonagy's independent report is expected to be released later this month.

For support and advice on diagnosis, visit our website or call our free, dedicated helpline on 01344 882248.

https://www.childautism.org.uk/about-autism/diagnosis-and-next-steps/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=diagnosis

Child Autism UK can advise on getting a diagnosis and what steps you can take to ensure your child recieves the right support.