Useful Organisations

TreeHouse offer a range of training courses for parents and professionals. See Training and Consultancy.

Challenging Behaviour Foundation:  A parent-founded organisation, providing resources and a helpline for parents. http://www.thecbf.org.uk/     0845 602 7885

Relationship Development Intervention: a programme for parents which concentrates on developing an effective communication style and a better understanding of the core deficits of autism. www.rdiconnect.com  

British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD): BILD publish several guides for both parents and professionals on dealing with challenging behaviour and advice on how to hold your child safely. BILD publications: 0845 370 0067 www.bild.org.uk/03books_behaviour.htm  

The National Autistic Society run EarlyBird and 'help!' programmes which support parents and carers of newly-diagnosed children.  You can find details of courses and support groups in your area by searching the NAS Autism Services Directory: http://www.autismdirectory.org.uk  

The NAS website also has an excellent page on Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations: http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1574

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) where you can purchase picture sets, communication books and visual timetables http://www.pecs.org.uk/ 

Do2Learn: educational resources for special needs including free picture cards to print www.dotolearn.com/

Autism Social Stories http://www.autismsocialstories.com/