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Photo by Breno Machado  on Unsplash Autistic people often face stress and overwhelm when navigating environments or expectations that do not accommodate their needs, and this can sometimes result in meltdowns or shutdowns. This article explains what meltdowns and shutdowns are and how to manage them.    What Are Meltdowns and Shutdowns?    Meltdowns and shutdowns are intense, involuntary responses to overwhelming sensory, emotional, social, or informational input. They reflec

Welcome to our very first podcast episode. Your host, Martine Ellis, interviews Julia Watts, the Service Manager and CEO at Autism Guernsey, to REALLY talk about autism. They talk about what autism is and is not, and explore common misconceptions. Martine gives Julia a magic wand towards the end of the episode (!), and Julia explains exactly what she would do with it in order to make the world more accessible to autistic people. We hope you enjoy the episode. Find out more ab

Autism Guernsey is proud to announce the launch of its Neurodiversity Network Resource Hub, a free online resource designed to support organisations in creating and growing neurodiversity networks.   The hub provides evidence-based guidance, templates, and practical tools to help organisations foster inclusive environments that value and support neurodivergent talent and in particular autistic individuals.   With an estimated one in seven people being neurodivergent, understa

Photo by Baruk Granda  on Unsplash Some autistic people experience social interaction differently. This article explains what those differences might look like and shares some supportive strategies.    What is Social Interaction?     Social interaction is how we engage with others and build relationships. For autistic people, the “unwritten rules” of socialising can feel confusing or exhausting. This isn't a lack of desire to connect, but rather a difference in how social sig

We're excited to announce that the Autism Guernsey team is launching a podcast: Let's Talk About Autism . You can listen to the trailer here: The idea behind our new podcast is to provide even more education about autism (in addition to our articles , videos , training , and resources ). We want to bridge the gap between clinical expertise and lived experience. Episodes will explore autism through conversations that blend research with reality, alongside practical advice for

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters  on Unsplash Some autistic people can struggle with social communication. This article explains what social communication is and shares some supportive strategies.     What is Social Communication?     Social communication is how we use language and gestures (including body language) to share meaning with others. It involves not just the words we say, but also how we say them and how we interpret what others say to us.     Autistic people can ha

Photo by Vitaly Gariev  on Unsplash Research suggests that up to 95% of autistic people experience sensory differences. This article describes our eight sensory systems and explains the terms sensory processing, sensory overload, and sensory seeking. Some suggestions for managing sensory needs are included at the end of the article.     Sensory Systems    Most people are familiar with the five external senses: sight , hearing , smell , touch , and taste . However, we have th

Photo by Kaleb Nimz  on Unsplash Some autistic people can experience social imagination differently. This article explains social imagination and shares some supportive strategies.     What is Social Imagination?     Social imagination is the ability to understand and predict other people’s behaviour, even when it isn't stated out loud. It helps us imagine “what if” scenarios and understand abstract concepts.     For autistic people, this doesn't mean a lack of creativity—man

Photo by Mick Haupt  on Unsplash We know that lots of people with different backgrounds and experiences read our articles. If you happen to be fairly new to learning about autism, this article is a great place to start. In it, we aim to answer the following questions:   What is autism and the autistic spectrum?  How many people are autistic?   Is autism a disability?     What is Autism and the Autistic Spectrum?     Autism is a neuro-developmental condition. It is not a lea

Case study for Autism Guernsey’s Neurodiversity Network Project , showcasing how organisations are supporting neurodivergent employees locally and further afield.   Background  ACCESS is the group-wide disability and neurodiversity network for Lloyds Banking Group. Within this established network sits a specific neurodiversity community, which was formed approximately four years ago. The community is led by Lee Brown, who is the co-chair of the ACCESS network.     Lee explain

Autism Guernsey has received a generous donation from Guernsey Swim All Seasons, which will be used to enhance our sensory therapy provision for autistic children and adults across the island. The donation has funded the purchase of specialist sensory equipment for Autism Guernsey’s sensory therapy room, which is accessed by both child and adult clients. The new equipment will support individuals who experience sensory processing difficulties, helping them to better regulate

As the year draws to a close, the festive season gives us time to reflect on what really matters: connection, kindness and community. At   Autism Guernsey , the weeks leading up to Christmas have been busy, joyful and most importantly focused on continuing to support our clients. Winter Wonderland: Our Festive Fundraiser A major highlight of our festive calendar was our much-loved Winter Wonderland fundraiser. This special event brought together families, supporters and the

Celebrating 10 years of commitment, expertise, and community support and why your help still matters. Ten years by our side Ten years is a long time in the life of a growing charity and an even longer time to give your heart and energy to a cause. This year we celebrate Julia Watts’ tenth anniversary at Autism Guernsey, marking a decade of steadfast service, professional excellence, and quiet leadership that has touched hundreds of autistic people and their families across th

At Autism Guernsey, we are continually inspired by the generosity of our local community and this month was no exception. The team at FNB Channel Islands came together for an internal fundraising initiative, raising £700 to help purchase office furniture for our premises. What began as a practical idea has become meaningful support that will directly benefit the individuals and families we help. As a charity that relies heavily on fundraising and donations, contributions like

As Guernsey marked Trustees’ Week, Autism Guernsey Chairman David Harry reflected on the vital role of collaboration, understanding, and sustainable support for our third sector and why shaping a stronger, more inclusive island community matters more than ever. This week has been a time to pause, reflect and celebrate the many islanders who give their time, skills, and experience to guide Guernsey charities. It’s also a time to ask some bigger questions about what our third s

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska  on Unsplash This guide is for autistic adults who find the social side of gifts difficult (whether you’re the one giving, receiving, or both). It’s especially relevant at Christmas, but the ideas here apply all year round—birthdays, anniversaries, or any time gifts are expected. Some tips and ideas in this post might also apply to older autistic teens navigating gift exchanges with family and friends. Why Gifts Can Feel Difficult Many autistic p

Photo by Erwan Hesry  on Unsplash The festive season can be joyful, but it can also be exhausting. For many autistic people, Christmas brings a mix of excitement and stress. There might be more noise, more people, more changes to routine, and often, more pressure to join in. You don’t need to do it all. You don’t need to do it the way others do. Taking care of yourself matters, especially at this time of year. Why Christmas Can Be Hard Even if you enjoy some parts of the fest

We often assume that everyone who celebrates Christmas adores it. After all, what's not to love? Family time, good food, sharing gifts and endless socialising. However, this is not always the case. The festive period can be overwhelming for the autistic people in your life. In this short article, we will delve into some of the reasons why and explore how you, as non-autistic family members, friends, or partners, can help make Christmas (just a bit more) autism friendly. Why

Photo by THE 5TH  on Unsplash For many autistic people, routines are more than a preference—they are a way to bring stability into daily life. A routine can reduce anxiety by creating a sense of control and making the world feel more predictable. But developing a routine you can trust, and keeping it going over time, can be challenging. This article looks at how to build routines that feel reliable, how schedules can support them, and how to cope when plans inevitably change.

Photo by Nick Fewings  on Unsplash Many autistic people find demands difficult to manage. This can include everyday tasks, social expectations, or even activities they enjoy. This article explores what constitutes a demand, and why demands can feel overwhelming for autistic people. It also shares possible reasons for demand avoidance, and some strategies to help. While the article is written for autistic people, it might also be useful for anyone regularly coming into contact