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A shortened version of the AET Tools for Teachers resource to support during these challenging times. The document focuses on six essential tools for teachers supporting autistic children tools that fall under the headings below

• Tool 1 – social stories
• Tool 2 – visual timetables
• Tool 3 – now / next or first then
• Tool 4 – reward charts
• Tool 5 – strategies to address hypo / hyper sensitivities
• Tool 6 – communication cards.

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A list of free speech and language, occupational therapy and SEND resources for learning and fun. Suitable for use by young people with a range of disabilities – including visual and hearing impairments. Primary and Secondary

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A briefing paper developed by the National Deaf Children’s Society with support from the British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD) and the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP). It focuses on support for deaf children in mainstream schools. However, many of the principles and suggestions may also be helpful for deaf children in other types of education settings

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Dyspraxia, a form of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common disorder affecting fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech. There are a number of useful information sheets covering a range of subjects such as Early Yeas, PE, teenagers, child-friendly definition, dyspraxia and menstruation

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Makaton uses signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech in the spoken word order. This website explores the use of Makaton and offers online training plus current offers in its shop during the school closure period.

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pdnet is network for those supporting learners with a physical disability. It is a free to join, national network. There is a free online training session called Raising Awareness of Physical Disability which is designed for anyone working within an educational setting who needs to develop their awareness and understanding of physical disability, the impact it can have on learning and steps that can be taken to overcome barriers. The pdnet Members Forum provides members with the platform to share information, knowledge and best practice with other physical disability professionals from across the country. The resource section supports schools to evaluate their current provision through a set of standards.

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This collection provides free textbooks and materials to support your curriculum in a range of accessible formats that can be read electronically or adapted to suit the reading needs of learners. There are currently 522,700 titles including novels and workbooks with more being added all the time!

• Listen to books with high quality text-to-speech voices
• Hear/see highlighted words on screen
• Read with digital braille or enlarged fonts
• Create physical braille or large print
• Read from your Internet browser
• And more!

Users do not need to be visually impaired – eligibility includes physical and learning disabilities also. See the website to check. Pupils can have access at home and school.

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The Whole School SEND (WSS) Consortium have produced a handbook to support educational professionals to successfully re-engage pupils with learning after a period of disruption. They have also produced a COVID-19 SEND Review Guide to help schools reflect on their provision as CYP return to school as well as a leaflet to support families and carers ask questions to schools to support successful returns. These resources are available on the SEND Gateway

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The ability to communicate is fundamental to a basic quality of life, yet for many people effective communication is difficult because of a physical impairment, language disorder or learning disability. The Ace Centre works with people of all ages who face such challenges and offers resources and training. Free resources include symbol charts, alphabet charts and talk together and large pointer software.