Family & Friends

You’ve landed on this page because you want to become a good ally and support to your autistic friend or loved one. And you’re off to the best start. Educating yourself in a space that’s 100% positive about autistic and neurodivergent people is the best thing you can do. Depending on how much you know already – or even how much you think you know – this might be a small or a large task. But it’s a task with a great reward, because how you change the environment and your reactions and assumptions around that person can really make a difference for them.
Dive in with an open mind and remember that autistic people experience the world in a different way to neurotypical people. Neither way is THE right way, but one of multiple right ways – difference, not deficit.

AGN Resources

  • Meltdowns, shutdowns and burnout

    Meltdowns are NOT temper tantrums, even though they can involve screaming, kicking, stamping feet etc.

  • How to be a good ally

    The first step to being a good ally is to be educated, and that can take a long time.

  • Hormones and autism. Why our cycles matter more than we realise

    Understanding how your hormones affect you each month can be empowering.

  • Facial Expressions and Misunderstandings Across Neurotypes

    It is often assumed that as human beings we can judge what other people are thinking and feeling, simply by looking at their facial expression. However, reality is often much more complex than this.

Understanding Autism

Our Understanding Autism booklet, created by Autistic Girls Network volunteer Heather Connolly-Smith, brings together key information from across our website to help people better understand autism.
It explains what autism is, how it can affect communication and sensory processing, and why recognising autistic strengths and removing barriers is so important.

Download the guide to learn practical ways to support and connect with autistic individuals — at home, in education, and in the community.

Recommended books

Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person
Supporting Spectacular Girls: A Practical Guide to Developing Autistic Girls' Wellbeing and Self-Esteem - Helen Clarke
What works for Autistic Children - Dr. Luke Beardon
taking off the mask
Odd Girl Out: An Autistic Woman in a Neurotypical World - Laura James

Additional resources and information

Recommended Video

A Sensory Exploration of Being a Teenage Autistic Girl with Joanna Grace

Recommended Video

RAISING HAPPY AUTISTIC KIDS – interview with Cathy Wassell of Autistic Girls Network

From our blog

Useful links

Building a Positive Space for your Autistic Child and/or Yourself with Chris Bonnello
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ijBtkindaM&t=2497s

Autism and Anxiety with Dr. Luke Beardon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vueAASgTz8s&t=4098s

What does the world often misunderstand about autistic people? Lots.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck9GdxmhGZv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Short animation explaining double empathy, written and narrated by Kieran Rose and co-produced for an autism Train the Trainer programme for mental health professionals with the Anna Freud Centre and AT-Autism.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14nxBDjBLWm8rEUTiGDg0v7vjtpePUh62/view?fbclid=IwAR3seOaADy4yB3p6ywueEuyTOwA9p45ivCdb6w-RLju3HwIqSCtiexeyr6k