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Our latest blog features insights from Chris Wade, an experienced Speech and Language Therapist, on supporting autistic children with communication, emotions, and daily living skills. Chris explains the different layers of communication, common challenges autistic children face, and practical strategies parents can try at home — from visual supports and AAC to the Zones of Regulation and comic strip conversations. He also highlights the importance of collaboration between families, schools, and professionals. At Jam Up!, we’re proud to provide tools that complement this approach, helping children build independence in everyday life.

This blog and video share psychology student Candela Perez Castellanos’s internship with Jam Up!, where she helped design the new “Pack Your Bag” task, carried out research with families and professionals, and explored topics such as autism, neurodiversity, and stigma. Her reflections highlight Jam Up!’s role in supporting autistic children with daily routines and independence.

Using strategies like these both before and after school is important because cortisol levels (the stress hormone) may rise throughout the day when a child does not have access to strategies that help them cope with the sensory challenges of a busy classroom. Many people refer to this as the pressure cooker effect, where meltdowns often occur at home after a day at school. Supporting a child’s regulation after school is just as important as managing anxiety before attendance.

Proprioceptive activities—working muscles and joints—can help with self-regulation. Strategies such as having a mini movement break before and after school or engaging in activities like jumping, wall pushes, tug of war, or lava islands can also be beneficial. Another fun and effective alternative is having a kitchen disco after school each day. Joining in with your child or encouraging siblings to take part can help them get the most out of these strategies!

Dream the Change has been working with Spectrum Tailored Technologies founder, Rachael Malthouse, who has created the award-winning JamUp! JamUp! was a finalist in the Essex Care Tech Challenge. Back-to-school time can be particularly challenging for families with children on the autism spectrum. Rachael’s son finds the change in routine especially difficult, with one of the biggest hurdles being getting dressed.