Family Development

Made possible from a wealth of experience gathered over four decades serving the North-east we’ve created a Family Resources website just for you.

Brought together by our Family Development team, members of our Neurodiversity think tank and from families sending us their tips and advice we’ve put together a bank of free resources to help you, as part of our valued community, to navigate the day-to-day challenges of life.

Pandemic Support

The National pandemic has had a huge impact on people everywhere and it has never been more important to support and look after each other. With this in mind we have pulled together some valuable resources which aim to help you in your daily lives, through these difficult times.

Free downloadable resources:

My lockdown experience booklet	Tips for coping with a winter lockdown	Top tips for returning to school after Covid
Top Tips for hand-washing	Making hand-washing fun	My school worry cards
Coming back to school feelings worksheet	Lockdown hero award certificate	Staying home saving lives certificate

Stay home stay safe poster

Stay positive poster

We'll be back together soon poster

Weekly/ daily activity videos

Rainbow – smile video

Tips for returning to school

Home Schooling Toolkit - click on the image to download the pack

Tips for home schooling: a parents perspective with Kieran Rose

Sensory strategies for home schooling with Claire Stirland

Get in touch

If you would like more help and support from our family development team please contact Kerrie Highcock on 0191 410 9974 or email [email protected] or why not sign up to our mailing list for regular updates and advice.

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Latest

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Silver award recognises Locomotion’s support for autistic visitors

One of the North East’s most popular attractions has been recognised for its positive steps towards enhancing the experience for autistic visitors, staff and volunteers.
“For 18 years I was working as an autistic person but didn’t realise it"

Addressing the barriers autistic people face in the workplace in a series of videos for NEAS, Phil shares his own experiences of work, and covers how employers can make their recruitment and working environments more inclusive.
Tesco partnership gives our pupils work experience

A partnership between Thornhill Park School and Tesco creates work experience opportunities for autistic young people.

Seasonal Resources

Seasonal periods can be challenging for many autistic people, with changes to the environment and the hustle and bustle these periods can bring.
Diet and Nutrition

Diet and nutrition are a key element of everyone's lives, but we know that for autistic people this can create challenges.
Staying Safe

Staying safe is paramount for all of us and as family members one of your main priorities will be to keep your family member safe and well.
Transitions

Transitions are a part of everyday life, some examples include bigger transitions like moving house or starting a new school to smaller transitions such as moving from one task to another in the classroom.
Toileting

Toileting challenges are often common in autistic people and an area that many families often feel they need more support with.
Sleep

Sleep is an essential process for every human being; not getting enough if it can have detrimental effects on the whole family’s wellbeing.
Sensory

Our senses are the window into the world and they are vital to help us understand and make sense of what is happening in the world around us.
Puberty

Puberty can be a challenge for anybody but for autistic people neurological differences may make this chapter in life harder to navigate.
Out and About

For many parents/carers taking their family member out and about in the community can be a big worry. These worries could arise from a multitude of different factors.
Navigating the System

Here you can find key information that will help you day-to-day. From grants to access, to free equipment, this is the one-stop resource to explore all that is potentially available to you.

Make a donation

Help us to continue making a positive difference to the lives of autistic individuals, and their families, across the region. Read more

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Everyday Equality Campaign

We are highlighting the lived experiences of autistic and neurodivergent people in five areas of everyday life: education, health, travel, employment and finance. That’s why we’re calling the campaign Everyday Equality. Read more