Giving a child a way to be heard
The fear that a device will stop a child speaking is the single most common worry parents raise. The evidence points the other way. Here is what AAC is, how to start, and how to get access at school and at home.
Plain language · sourced · reviewed July 2026
You have questions. Most of them have answers.
Plain-language, sourced answers for parents of autistic children — written for the things you're searching for at 2am.
The three numbers that matter
1 in 31children in the US is identified with autism
CDC ADDM · 2022 data
3 in 4have another condition alongside autism
Often a treatable one
1 in 6children tested get a genetic explanation
Genetic testing explained
Find by your child's age
Age is the main way this site is organised. Pick a band to open a full guide — or set it in the header above so every page reshapes itself.
Start with what's hardest right now
Showing what parents of toddlers and preschoolers5 to 8 year olds9 to 12 year oldsteenagers ask about most. Use the age control above to switch this list.
Autism and ADHD together
Autism and ADHD often occur together. Overlap can confuse families and schools. Here is how they differ, how both can be true, and what to ask for in assessment and support.
Anxiety in autistic children and teens
Anxiety is extremely common alongside autism and is treatable. It often shows up as rigidity, avoidance, stomach-aches, or meltdowns around uncertainty — not only as worry talk. Here is how to recognise it and what to try first.
Autism awareness months, colours, and symbols
April is autism awareness and acceptance month in the US. Some common symbols are contested. Here is what the dates mean, what many autistic people prefer, and what is actually useful for families.
Unsolicited advice, relatives, and boundaries
After a diagnosis — or when your child is simply having a hard day in public — advice arrives uninvited. Here is how to protect your plan, your privacy, and your energy without winning every argument.
This is hard, and it is not because of your child
Parents in this situation report high rates of exhaustion and anxiety, and over half say they need more support than they get.
Giving a child a way to be heard
The fear that a device will stop a child speaking is the single most common worry parents raise. The evidence points the other way. Here is what AAC is, how to start, and how to get access at school and at home.
Autism and ADHD together
Autism and ADHD often occur together. Overlap can confuse families and schools. Here is how they differ, how both can be true, and what to ask for in assessment and support.
Anxiety in autistic children and teens
Anxiety is extremely common alongside autism and is treatable. It often shows up as rigidity, avoidance, stomach-aches, or meltdowns around uncertainty — not only as worry talk. Here is how to recognise it and what to try first.
Autism awareness months, colours, and symbols
April is autism awareness and acceptance month in the US. Some common symbols are contested. Here is what the dates mean, what many autistic people prefer, and what is actually useful for families.
Unsolicited advice, relatives, and boundaries
After a diagnosis — or when your child is simply having a hard day in public — advice arrives uninvited. Here is how to protect your plan, your privacy, and your energy without winning every argument.
Bullying and social rejection at school
Autistic students face higher rates of bullying. Changes in mood, school refusal, or ‘behaviour’ after school are often the first clues. Document, report, and demand a plan.
Giving a child a way to be heard
The fear that a device will stop a child speaking is the single most common worry parents raise. The evidence points the other way. Here is what AAC is, how to start, and how to get access at school and at home.
Autism and ADHD together
Autism and ADHD often occur together. Overlap can confuse families and schools. Here is how they differ, how both can be true, and what to ask for in assessment and support.
Anxiety in autistic children and teens
Anxiety is extremely common alongside autism and is treatable. It often shows up as rigidity, avoidance, stomach-aches, or meltdowns around uncertainty — not only as worry talk. Here is how to recognise it and what to try first.
Autism awareness months, colours, and symbols
April is autism awareness and acceptance month in the US. Some common symbols are contested. Here is what the dates mean, what many autistic people prefer, and what is actually useful for families.
Unsolicited advice, relatives, and boundaries
After a diagnosis — or when your child is simply having a hard day in public — advice arrives uninvited. Here is how to protect your plan, your privacy, and your energy without winning every argument.
Bullying and social rejection at school
Autistic students face higher rates of bullying. Changes in mood, school refusal, or ‘behaviour’ after school are often the first clues. Document, report, and demand a plan.
Giving a child a way to be heard
The fear that a device will stop a child speaking is the single most common worry parents raise. The evidence points the other way. Here is what AAC is, how to start, and how to get access at school and at home.
Autism and ADHD together
Autism and ADHD often occur together. Overlap can confuse families and schools. Here is how they differ, how both can be true, and what to ask for in assessment and support.
Anxiety in autistic children and teens
Anxiety is extremely common alongside autism and is treatable. It often shows up as rigidity, avoidance, stomach-aches, or meltdowns around uncertainty — not only as worry talk. Here is how to recognise it and what to try first.
Autism awareness months, colours, and symbols
April is autism awareness and acceptance month in the US. Some common symbols are contested. Here is what the dates mean, what many autistic people prefer, and what is actually useful for families.
Unsolicited advice, relatives, and boundaries
After a diagnosis — or when your child is simply having a hard day in public — advice arrives uninvited. Here is how to protect your plan, your privacy, and your energy without winning every argument.
Bullying and social rejection at school
Autistic students face higher rates of bullying. Changes in mood, school refusal, or ‘behaviour’ after school are often the first clues. Document, report, and demand a plan.
Prefer topics over age? Browse Start here, Every day, School, Health, or the full page list.
From The Notebook
See all posts →Our reference pages hold the settled answers. This is where what's changing gets written down.
Three organisations just agreed on genetic testing
And what it means for the appointment you have next month. Two sentences worth quoting, and one thing you can reasonably ask for.
A study said autism rates are rising. Here's what it actually measured.
Better identification does most of the work in that headline. We show you where to look in the paper.
What one mother put in her school folder
A real folder, shared with permission — and why the two-page summary at the front changed the meetings.