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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 about

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 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 Mohammad O Siddiqui  on Unsplash For many autistic people, living in a shared home can be complicated. While having your own room may feel safe, communal areas like kitchens, bathrooms or living rooms can feel overwhelming. The kitchen in particular is often avoided—even when you are hungry or need to prepare food. This isn’t about being antisocial or unwilling to join in. Shared spaces can present very real challenges that make them feel off limits. Why Shared Space

Photo by Beth Teutschmann  on Unsplash For many autistic children, Halloween can bring sensory overload—flashing lights, noisy...

Photo by Anne Nygård  on Unsplash When we hear the phrase self-care, many people think of bubble baths, yoga, or spa days. But for...

Photo by Aleksandr Ledogorov  on Unsplash Mindfulness is often described as a helpful way to manage stress, anxiety and overwhelm. But...

Photo by Bethany Legg  on Unsplash Workplaces can be overwhelming for autistic people, with sensory challenges ranging from bright lights...

In any workplace, understanding and respecting the diverse needs of our colleagues and customers is key to creating an inclusive...

We are delighted to report that a number of local retailers have contacted us for advice on introducing "Quiet Hours" recently, to ensure...

Rest: we know we need to do it, and often, we know how to do it. It's just sometimes it's really difficult. Especially if you are...

Travelling can be challenging for autistic people due to significant sensory and social demands and unfamiliar environments. Carrying...