Useful links

Within this area of the website is a selection of other website resources for autism and / or learning disabilities.

www.allwalespeople1st.co.uk

All Wales People First wants to ensure that people with learning disabilities in Wales can have access to self-advocacy support, so that they are able to voice choice and control. They want to promote the values of self-advocacy as a preventative service, and to move away from dependency on services that undermine independent living.

www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Anxiety UK courses & groups. With Anxiety UK, you’re never alone. They are there to help but they also have a wide array of self-help resources and support tools that you can access, including books, self-help guides and other materials. These will enable you to have control over your recovery and to manage your anxiety more effectively.

Moving to high school is a huge moment in any young person’s life. A new school means a new environment, usually larger in size, with more complex demands and accompanied by a series of unfamiliar and potentially bewildering sounds.

For a young person with autism this transition can often be particularly challenging. Support and preparation for transition can result in a better outcome.

The Autism Sound Walk  will support young people with autism during transition to high school by enabling them to familiarise themselves with the types of new sounds they should expect to hear, prior to arrival in the new environment.

This map has been designed to help you get used to the different sounds you’ll hear around the school. Click on the red dots on the map to hear sounds from that part of the school. It’s best to use headphones to get the most accurate idea of what it’s like being in those places.

The soundwalk can be played by carers, teachers, or young people themselves. It can be played as many times as desired and can form the basis of familiarisation, preparation and discussion. 

Professor Alka Ahuja, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB)

Alka.ahuja@wales.nhs.uk

autismwellbeing.org.uk

Autism Wellbeing works in partnership with individuals and their families to foster deeper relationships, to reduce distress and to increase wellbeing. They recognise that, just as each autistic individual is unique, so too is their family set up and the relationships they have with the people around them. Autism Wellbeing uses Responsive Communication as a simple and effective means for autistic individuals to make connections with the people who love and care for them.

gov.wales/better-books-prescribing-self-help-books-children

This scheme provides self-help books to children and young people to help them deal with emotional issues and give additional guidance.

Research has shown the effectiveness of high quality self-help books.

Children and young people in particular may find it difficult to talk about their emotions. Reading a book may help them understand their feelings and give them advice on how to cope.  There are also books available to help guide parents and guardians.

Books can be recommended by GPs, school counsellors, school nurses, teachers, youth centre staff and others who might be approached by a young person for some advice / guidance. 

www.cvag.cymru

Advisers on the free helpline can provide information and advice on advocacy, can advise on entitlement to advocacy based on care and support needs, and can signpost and refer to relevant advocacy services and other specialist services. A leaflet that provides further information on the service is also available.

The Service is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

carers.org/around-the-uk-our-work-in-wales/our-work-in-wales

Carers Trust Wales aims to shape a better future with and for carers in Wales by raising awareness, empowering carers and influencing change. They work closely and collaboratively with their Network Partners – local and regional independent charities which deliver information, advice and practical support for unpaid carers in Wales.

Carers Wales wants a society that respects, values and supports carers.

Wellbeing Hub – Carers UK

There is a range of content to support carer wellbeing, including the new wellbeing videos and links to information and advice.

Listening Support Service – Carers UK

 

www.childcomwales.org.uk

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales champions the rights of children and young people in Wales. Sally Holland is the current Children’s Commissioner.

https://chineseautism.org.uk/parent-carer/

The parent-carers page for Chinese Autism includes guides to help parents understand their children’s behaviour on topics such as stimming, sleeping, making friends, playing, and more. It also provides information on who to contact for support.

https://www.hottubhideaways.com/cold-water-swimming-uk/

Cold water swimming is becoming increasingly popular across the UK, with many people choosing to embrace the challenge of taking a dip in cool temperatures.

From outdoor pools and wild lakes to sheltered lagoons and stretches of river, this beginner’s guide outlines where you can go cold water swimming in different parts of the UK, and how to equip yourself so that your experience is safe as well as enjoyable.

www.colleges.wales

We are an education charity which promotes the public benefit of further education in Wales. They believe that all learners have the right to world-class education, delivered in a safe, diverse and inclusive setting and within a sector which supports the wider community, employers and the economy. 

www.contact.org.uk

Offering families of disabled children advice, information and support in a variety of ways.

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy.

www.disabilitywales.org

Disability Wales/Anabledd Cymru is the national association of disabled peoples organisations in Wales striving to achieve the rights and equality of all disabled people.

www.ldw.org.uk/easy-read-wales/

The Easy Read Wales team create accessible Easy Read documents for people with a learning disability. They are part of Learning Disability Wales.

They have over 20 years’ experience of producing high standard accessible information for a wide range of clients, including Welsh Government, the public sector, disabled people’s organisations and charities

www.engagetochange.org.uk

The Engage to Change project is working across Wales to support young people aged 16-25 who have a learning difficulty, learning disability and/or autism to achieve their full potential.

www.haipac.org.uk

There is also a Facebook page, search for ‘Haipac’.

www.haipac.org.uk

There is also a Facebook page, search for ‘Haipac’.

www.ldw.org.uk

They inform, train, innovate, represent and challenge, so children, young people and adults with a learning disability in Wales are empowered to have greater choice and control over their lives and are able to live more independently.

www.mind.org.uk/about-us/mind-cymru

Mind Cymru, the mental health charity.  They’re an unstoppable community of people in Wales who won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. Together with their 20 local Minds in Wales they’re committed to improving mental health in this country.

www.autism.org.uk/home

The UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families. Since 1962, they have been providing support, guidance and advice, as well as campaigning for improved rights, services and opportunities to help create a society that works for autistic people. Autism Inpatient Mental Health casework service.

www.ndcs.org.uk/information-and-support/education-and-learning/deaf-works-everywhere/supporting-deaf-young-people-with-career-choices/

NDCS have created a free toolkit and resources for careers advisors, teachers and teachers of the deaf to help you support deaf young people plan for a bright future.

https://safeguardingboard.wales/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/07/Gorffennaf_July-Adnoddau_Resources.pdf

‘National Action Plan preventing and responding to child sexual abuse’ resources.
 
The Sensory Processing Service has been developed to enable everyone access to information about sensory processing. Here you can find a range of useful resources to view or download.

www.gov.uk/pip

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have a long term ill-health or disability.

www.researchautism.net

This website is aimed at anyone with an interest in autism, including people with autism spectrum disorders, parents and carers, service providers and policy makers.

It is one of the biggest, most up-to-date, and most scientifically reliable websites in the world for information about autism, the issues facing individuals with autism, and the interventions used to help them.

www.snapcymru.org

SNAP Cymru is a National Charity, unique to Wales, founded in 1986.  Its main aim is to advance the education of people in Wales and support their inclusion. Trained experienced staff and volunteers work with families, children and young people, their parents, carers and professionals working with those who have or may have additional learning needs, which include SEN, disability, and other barriers eg exclusion, disaffection, poverty, deprivation, English or welsh as a second language.

https://www.comparethemarket.com/loans/content/disabled-students-allowance-guide/

www.olderpeoplewales.com

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales protects and promotes the rights of older people throughout Wales, scrutinising and influencing a wide range of policy and practice to improve their lives.

www.tourettes-action.org.uk

wcva.cymru

Wales Council for Voluntary Action is the national membership organisation for the third sector and volunteering in Wales. 

www.youngminds.org.uk

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people.

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