Filter blog stories by category
On: 02/12/24 3 minutes
We calling on the community for help to fund new play equipment for our youngest pupils at Portfield School. Our reception age class, Stepping Stones,...
On: 08/11/24 3 minutes
More than 60 football coaches and volunteers from Dorset County FA have improved their knowledge of autism with the help of Autism Unlimited. We have...
On: 01/10/24
Autism Unlimited is a charitable organisation, and as such, we are required to ensure that our services remain financially sustainable. After a thorough...
On: 05/09/24 4 minutes
When Emily first joined Futures two years ago, she didn’t want to step through the door. Her nerves were through the roof and it took almost two...
On: 14/08/24
In Memoriam, Harry Nash. It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of Harry Nash, our former Trustee and Treasurer, and a hugely respected...
On: 09/08/24 4 minutes
There seems to be a lot of buzz around ‘neurodiversity’ currently, but what does it mean for your business? It is estimated...
On: 08/08/24 3 Minute
With the Paris Olympics well underway, it is important to recognise that some athletes may be competing with extra obstacles that are hidden to the naked...
On: 01/08/24 5 mins
Recent articles, such as those published by The Telegraph and the Daily Mail, suggest that 'severe' autism can be treated and symptoms can be...
On: 29/05/24
Autism Unlimited has been awarded associate membership of one of Europe’s biggest and most respected autism advocacy organisations, Autism-Europe. After...
On: 17/05/24 3 minutes
The bright minds at Portfield School Sixth Form kick-started their entrepreneurial journey in this year’s National Young Enterprise Programme....
On: 01/02/24 3 minutes
Leave a legacy to Autism Unlimited… Leaving a gift in your Will to Autism Unlimited can help us build a brighter future for the children...
On: 23/11/23 5 minutes
Shutting Down – Kai's Experience Sixteen-year-old Kai has ADHD and is autistic, non-binary and the proud titleholder of Teen Miss Diamond...
On: 21/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Mimi's Experience Unlike a ‘meltdown’, ‘shutdowns’ are more muted and discreet responses to...
On: 17/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Max's Experience Autistic people may experience lights, smells, and sounds differently to non-autistic people. Those...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Deborah's Experience When some autistic people feel extremely stressed or overwhelmed, they might respond by ‘shutting...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Ellie's Experience Many autistic people may have highly focused interests in particular areas, from TV shows to animals and...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Bella's Experience “My autism…it affects me mentally more than anything. So sometimes I find it hard to concentrate....
On: 01/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Mimi's Experience For Mimi, staying focused and filtering out distractions can be a struggle. Her mind starts to drift away...
On: 01/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus – Holly's Experience Some autistic people may find it difficult to focus on one thing for an extended period of time,...
On: 26/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming – Georgia's Experience When things get overwhelming, stimming can offer temporary relief for some autistic people. The repetitive...
On: 24/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming – Cayden's Experience Cayden has relied on stimming since a young age, scrunching and un-scrunching different items, such as...
On: 17/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming - Archie's Experience Loud and unpredictable environments can be overwhelming for some autistic people, causing issues with sensory...
On: 17/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming - Tyler's Experience Stimming can be a source of comfort and enjoyment for many people, offering a way to regulate emotions and process...
On: 10/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Rose's Experience Some autistic people may face a delay in their use of spoken language, whilst others may not...
On: 06/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Jamie and Max's Experience, Part 2 In a society that is built around spoken language, those who communicate differently...
On: 03/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Jamie and Max's Experience, Part 1 Some autistic people are non-speaking, meaning they don’t use words when...
On: 02/10/23 4 minutes
The below blog shares a Speech and Language Therapist's insight into non-speaking communication and the different ways our therapy team support individuals...
On: 22/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Bella's Experience Our surroundings are full of sensory information, but the way we interpret this information...
On: 21/09/23 5 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities - Sophia's Experience What does it mean to you? Sensory sensitivity can be defined as visual,...
On: 21/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Archie's Experience Everyone’s sensory needs are different, for example, Archie’s sensory processing...
On: 21/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Georgia's Experience Georgia’s sensory sensitivities with different foods and materials can create challenges...
On: 19/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Lucas’ Experience Autistic people may experience sensory differences, which can include being over-sensitive...
On: 19/09/23 5 minutes
The below blog shares a therapist's insight into sensory sensitivities and how they might impact individuals. **What are sensory sensitivities?...
On: 12/09/23 4 minutes
Masking - Mimi's Experience For Mimi, masking comes with its positives and its negatives. Following a late diagnosis, she realised she had...
On: 12/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Willow's Experience Willow is one of our wonderful Portfield School students, who shares a personal and open insight into their...
On: 07/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Nevaeh's Experience Nevaeh, Autism Unlimited’s Young Ambassador, is a very talented singer and songwriter who rose to fame...
On: 01/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Ellie's Experience Autistic people may have different ways of communicating and behaving – and these differences can make them...
On: 01/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Becs' Experience Disguising parts of yourself and suppressing your identity can be draining and exhausting. For many autistic people,...
On: 21/07/23 3 minutes
21 July 2023 We were thrilled to host young autistic students from France last month, and we now hope to collaborate on an exciting new exchange...
On: 05/05/23 3 minutes
Deborah shared her experience at the supermarket in a series of co-produced animations, showcasing what it can be like for her autistic son in a shopping...
On: 03/05/23 3 minutes
When people see a child making sounds, stimming, or behaving a little bit differently in a supermarket and other public environments, many are quick to...
On: 03/05/23 3 minutes
Some supermarkets have introduced ‘quieter hours’ to support a more accessible and relaxed in-store shopping experience for customers who may...
On: 03/05/23 5 minutes
A young student at Portfield School has advanced a step closer to his ambition of becoming an actor, by securing a full-time college drama place. Fenton...
On: 27/04/23 3 minutes
As a parent, Deborah’s priority is making sure her children are safe and happy – she wants to keep them away from harm and do everything she...
On: 20/04/23 3 minutes
Following the previous animation, Deborah shares her commentary as she navigates a trip to the supermarket with her three children. Supermarkets can...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Café environments can be busy and fast-paced, and for some autistic people, this offers little time to process all of the different sensory information....
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Through a series of animations, James and Mark shared their lived experience when eating out at a café. They offered a glimpse into their reality...
On: 12/04/23 2 minutes
A trip to the supermarket can be a challenging sensory experience for many autistic people - the combination of the bright artificial lighting, loud noises,...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
James is an autistic adult who was also diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of fifteen. He has limited verbal communication, and can say a couple of verbal...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Mark is the proud father of James, and a staunch advocate for bringing about change for children, young people, and young adults with additional needs...
On: 03/04/23 3 minutes
In this follow-up animation, co-produced with James and his dad, we gain a greater insight into his experience at a café as an autistic adult with...
On: 22/03/23 3 minutes
Going out to eat in cafes and restaurants can be challenging for some autistic people due to sensory processing differences. With large crowds, long waits,...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
This past month, we shared some animations of a dental visit, featuring an autistic child, their parent, and a dental professional. They kindly shared...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
A visit to the dentist can be a cause of great stress and anxiety for many people. It can take years for someone to get comfortable enough to come into...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
When Archie was born, we knew immediately that he was different. We didn’t know or understand what that difference was, we just knew. When Archie...
On: 20/03/23 4 minutes
As a parent, taking your child to a dental appointment can be a daunting experience for the both of you. Rebecca is the proud mum of Archie, who is...
On: 13/03/23 2 minutes
Following our first animation, this new co-produced version features an insight into Archie and Rebecca’s perspective as they take a trip to the...
On: 06/03/23 2 minutes
Listening to lived autism experiences is so important. They tell us a different perspective and give onlookers a chance to increase their understanding...
On: 14/02/23 3 minutes
Providing an accessible and inclusive website experience 14 Feb 2023 There are over 1 billion people worldwide who face barriers when...
On: 01/02/23 3 minutes
We are delighted to appoint four new Trustees 01 Feb 2023 We recently announced the appointment of four new Trustees who will play...
On: 10/01/23
Introducing Awesome Archie, a local non-profit organisation supporting neurodiversity at school and at home! 10 Jan 2023 We’re...
On: 15/12/22 8 minutes
Autistic reflections on the cervical screening experience: What is it and why is it so important? The cervical screening...
On: 17/11/22 5 minutes
Introduction Finding the courage and determination to visit your doctor to talk about a problem that you’re facing is difficult. However,...
On: 04/11/22 3 minutes
The joy of shopping – thanks to an amazing team Following my story about my son James and his trip to the dentist I would like to tell you...
On: 31/10/22 5 minutes
Liam is my 14-year-old son who is a self-confessed geek and loves all things science related. He was born with cerebral palsy which can mean that he struggles...
On: 29/09/22 3 minutes
A Christchurch music therapist and researcher has told how the Ukrainian conflict has tinged the success of her first book’s publication with...
On: 13/09/22
My favourite sensory fidget toys. This post is the first of a series about my favourite sensory fidget toys. I’m not going to...
On: 09/09/22 3 minutes
Finley and Brodie are two of our Portfield School students who have struck up a heart-warming friendship after Brodie began to express an interest...
On: 07/09/22 5 minutes
Letter Writing Instructions 1) Decide who you are going to write to, and address your letter to them. You can simply put the person’s name if you...
On: 07/09/22 8 minutes
Many autistic people will have read, or at least heard of, books like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, or The Rosie Project...
On: 06/09/22 8 minutes
The understanding, support and encouragement of others has made a huge difference to who I am today. Long before I received my autism diagnosis there...
On: 05/09/22
I thought I would tell you about my first time at a peer-support group. I suppose this was a few months after my diagnosis, and I had not really had...
On: 25/08/22 4 minutes
Ethan, one of our Futures Learners with a passion for engineering, was only four days into his work experience when aerospace engineering firm RHH...
On: 22/08/22 4 minutes
My name is Mark, and I have an amazing son called James who just happens to be autistic. He was confirmed as autistic when he was two years old and at...
On: 22/08/22 6 minutes
Jennie Chapman, mum of Finley tells how visiting the dentist was made so much easier thanks to the patience and understanding of her dentist. My son...
On: 18/08/22 4 minutes
My son, Liam, is a young adult with autism and intellectual disability. He is verbal, but is challenged by both receptive and expressive language and...
On: 18/08/22 2 minutes
We are very excited to share our new mobile coffee shop, the Brew Crew! 30 Aug 2022 The Brew Crew is a coffee horsebox designed to...
On: 29/07/22 5 minutes
Meet 11-year-old Jacob, who has turned his talents and wish to help other autistic children into a thriving business. 4 Aug 2022 The...
On: 20/07/22 6 minutes
A little understanding and kindness would have gone a long way My story begins with a flight into London Gatwick very early one morning from a...
On: 18/07/22 5 minutes
I just want my autism to be respected. Every five years or so I have the unenviable task of needing to re-confirm my autism to professionals in various...
On: 18/07/22 4 minutes
My grandson, Brooke is an autistic child who needs the sensory experience of touching and feeling things to help him learn and develop. This enables him...
On: 20/06/22 2 minutes
We are delighted to welcome on board Nevaeh, Autism Unlimited’s first Child Ambassador. 5 Jul 2022 Nevaeh, 12, who is autistic,...
On: 26/05/22 2 minutes
Pepper, Cayden, and Max are students at Portfield School. Here, they share an insight into their autism, hobbies, and experiences. Pepper enjoys hanging...
On: 28/04/22 8 minutes
Stewart is one of the assistant headteachers at Portfield School, with 20 years of teaching experience across a range of different schools. He shares his...
On: 20/04/22 15 minutes
Luke is a governor at Portfield School, a carer to his mum, and works at a National Trust café. In addition to caring for his mum, who is physically...
On: 20/04/22 3 minutes
Nevaeh is a talented 12-year-old singer, and newly appointed child ambassador for Autism Unlimited, who produced a magical performance at the launch of...
On: 20/04/22 15 minutes
Diagnosed three years ago at the age of 53, Patrick now works as a specialist mentor for an autism charity in addition to mentoring undergraduate students...
On: 13/04/22 3 minutes
Art allows a lot of people to express themselves in their own way, nurturing creativity, innovation and dialogue. It is commonly used as a therapeutic...
On: 23/03/22 3 minutes
Maddie has been a student at Portfield School for the past 5 years. Alongside her autism, she has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which makes daily...
On: 03/03/22 4 minutes
Deborah is an artist-in-residence at Portfield School, inspiring students to explore their creative side. While officially diagnosed at 41, she knew...
On: 28/02/22 4 minutes
Introducing Tyler - a sixth form student at Portfield School who shares his experiences with autism. Receiving an autism diagnosis can be a moment...
On: 28/02/22 4 minutes
Kai is a dedicated army cadet and sixth form student at Portfield School, sharing his thoughts on his autism. He has mixed views on autism, noting...
On: 23/02/22 8 minutes
‘Autism is a slightly different way of the brain functioning. I don’t think it means that you’re really any different to anyone else,...
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Robert is a facilities administrator who has worked at Autism Unlimited for the past 8 and a half years. He was diagnosed with autism as a teenager....
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Dela is an area manager at Autism Unlimited, overseeing support to a number of individuals in the autistic community. Having worked in the health and social...
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Meet Michael – an animal-loving Futures learner at Autism Unlimited, with a diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Futures is a learning programme that...
On: 14/02/22 8 minutes
"Autism in itself is not a negative, it is people’s lack of understanding and a lack of support that makes its impact so potentially damaging....
On: 01/02/22 4 minutes
Oliver is a 15 year old student at Portfield School with an autism diagnosis, dyspraxia and hypermobility. Discussing autism, he says, ‘Autism...
On: 01/02/22 5 minutes
Fenton is a 16 year old student at Portfield School, with an autism diagnosis and a talent for the performing arts. Diagnosed on his 3rd birthday,...
On: 21/01/22 2 minutes
Five colleagues from Autism Unlimited’s Portfied School are taking on an unusual challenge 21 Jan 2022 Five colleagues from...
On: 21/01/22 3 minutes
Sarah has been an ISL at Portfield School for the past 15 years, working closely with both the younger children and the sixth formers. She has been...
On: 16/12/21 3 minutes
Our Christmas Appeal – lending library of books and resources 16 December 21 Our Information and Support service provides vital...
On: 22/11/21 2 minutes
Join us on 1 December at Christchurch Priory for a night of festive fun! 01 Nov 2021 Join us on 1 December at Christchurch Priory for...
On: 27/10/21 2 minutes
Autism Unlimited has teamed up with three other regional autism charities to create this bespoke UK fundraising challenge. 14 Oct 2021 Autism...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
We are very happy to share our new eco Roundhouse with you, launched last week. 10 Sep 2021 Coinciding with the return of Portfield School...
On: 27/10/21 5 minutes
Meet Jamie, mum and carer of two autistic boys, Max and Riley, who attend Portfield School. 9 Jun 2021 **Our Autism Journey – Jamie...
On: 27/10/21 4 minutes
Last week students at Portfield School took part in a week of fundraising activities to mark World Autism Awareness Day, raising over £1,600!...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
To mark World Autism Awareness Day we have launched an Amazon Wish List campaign. 2 Apr 2021 Following the success of our Christmas Wishes...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
Our brand-new supported living home in Christchurch has just opened its doors and welcomed the first two tenants. 1 Mar 2021 Tony and...
On: 22/10/21 8 minutes
Dismissing my autism was the worst part of a hospital visit A relatively routine exploratory procedure at my local hospital turned into the appointment...
On: 02/12/24 3 minutes
We calling on the community for help to fund new play equipment for our youngest pupils at Portfield School. Our reception age class, Stepping Stones,...
On: 08/11/24 3 minutes
More than 60 football coaches and volunteers from Dorset County FA have improved their knowledge of autism with the help of Autism Unlimited. We have...
On: 01/10/24
Autism Unlimited is a charitable organisation, and as such, we are required to ensure that our services remain financially sustainable. After a thorough...
On: 05/09/24 4 minutes
When Emily first joined Futures two years ago, she didn’t want to step through the door. Her nerves were through the roof and it took almost two...
On: 14/08/24
In Memoriam, Harry Nash. It is with deep sadness that we hear of the passing of Harry Nash, our former Trustee and Treasurer, and a hugely respected...
On: 09/08/24 4 minutes
There seems to be a lot of buzz around ‘neurodiversity’ currently, but what does it mean for your business? It is estimated...
On: 08/08/24 3 Minute
With the Paris Olympics well underway, it is important to recognise that some athletes may be competing with extra obstacles that are hidden to the naked...
On: 01/08/24 5 mins
Recent articles, such as those published by The Telegraph and the Daily Mail, suggest that 'severe' autism can be treated and symptoms can be...
On: 29/05/24
Autism Unlimited has been awarded associate membership of one of Europe’s biggest and most respected autism advocacy organisations, Autism-Europe. After...
On: 17/05/24 3 minutes
The bright minds at Portfield School Sixth Form kick-started their entrepreneurial journey in this year’s National Young Enterprise Programme....
On: 01/02/24 3 minutes
Leave a legacy to Autism Unlimited… Leaving a gift in your Will to Autism Unlimited can help us build a brighter future for the children...
On: 23/11/23 5 minutes
Shutting Down – Kai's Experience Sixteen-year-old Kai has ADHD and is autistic, non-binary and the proud titleholder of Teen Miss Diamond...
On: 21/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Mimi's Experience Unlike a ‘meltdown’, ‘shutdowns’ are more muted and discreet responses to...
On: 17/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Max's Experience Autistic people may experience lights, smells, and sounds differently to non-autistic people. Those...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Shutting Down – Deborah's Experience When some autistic people feel extremely stressed or overwhelmed, they might respond by ‘shutting...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Ellie's Experience Many autistic people may have highly focused interests in particular areas, from TV shows to animals and...
On: 07/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Bella's Experience “My autism…it affects me mentally more than anything. So sometimes I find it hard to concentrate....
On: 01/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus - Mimi's Experience For Mimi, staying focused and filtering out distractions can be a struggle. Her mind starts to drift away...
On: 01/11/23 3 minutes
Floating Focus – Holly's Experience Some autistic people may find it difficult to focus on one thing for an extended period of time,...
On: 26/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming – Georgia's Experience When things get overwhelming, stimming can offer temporary relief for some autistic people. The repetitive...
On: 24/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming – Cayden's Experience Cayden has relied on stimming since a young age, scrunching and un-scrunching different items, such as...
On: 17/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming - Archie's Experience Loud and unpredictable environments can be overwhelming for some autistic people, causing issues with sensory...
On: 17/10/23 3 minutes
Stimming - Tyler's Experience Stimming can be a source of comfort and enjoyment for many people, offering a way to regulate emotions and process...
On: 10/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Rose's Experience Some autistic people may face a delay in their use of spoken language, whilst others may not...
On: 06/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Jamie and Max's Experience, Part 2 In a society that is built around spoken language, those who communicate differently...
On: 03/10/23 3 minutes
Non-Speaking Communication - Jamie and Max's Experience, Part 1 Some autistic people are non-speaking, meaning they don’t use words when...
On: 02/10/23 4 minutes
The below blog shares a Speech and Language Therapist's insight into non-speaking communication and the different ways our therapy team support individuals...
On: 22/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Bella's Experience Our surroundings are full of sensory information, but the way we interpret this information...
On: 21/09/23 5 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities - Sophia's Experience What does it mean to you? Sensory sensitivity can be defined as visual,...
On: 21/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Archie's Experience Everyone’s sensory needs are different, for example, Archie’s sensory processing...
On: 21/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Georgia's Experience Georgia’s sensory sensitivities with different foods and materials can create challenges...
On: 19/09/23 3 minutes
Sensory Sensitivities – Lucas’ Experience Autistic people may experience sensory differences, which can include being over-sensitive...
On: 19/09/23 5 minutes
The below blog shares a therapist's insight into sensory sensitivities and how they might impact individuals. **What are sensory sensitivities?...
On: 12/09/23 4 minutes
Masking - Mimi's Experience For Mimi, masking comes with its positives and its negatives. Following a late diagnosis, she realised she had...
On: 12/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Willow's Experience Willow is one of our wonderful Portfield School students, who shares a personal and open insight into their...
On: 07/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Nevaeh's Experience Nevaeh, Autism Unlimited’s Young Ambassador, is a very talented singer and songwriter who rose to fame...
On: 01/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Ellie's Experience Autistic people may have different ways of communicating and behaving – and these differences can make them...
On: 01/09/23 3 minutes
Masking - Becs' Experience Disguising parts of yourself and suppressing your identity can be draining and exhausting. For many autistic people,...
On: 21/07/23 3 minutes
21 July 2023 We were thrilled to host young autistic students from France last month, and we now hope to collaborate on an exciting new exchange...
On: 05/05/23 3 minutes
Deborah shared her experience at the supermarket in a series of co-produced animations, showcasing what it can be like for her autistic son in a shopping...
On: 03/05/23 3 minutes
When people see a child making sounds, stimming, or behaving a little bit differently in a supermarket and other public environments, many are quick to...
On: 03/05/23 3 minutes
Some supermarkets have introduced ‘quieter hours’ to support a more accessible and relaxed in-store shopping experience for customers who may...
On: 03/05/23 5 minutes
A young student at Portfield School has advanced a step closer to his ambition of becoming an actor, by securing a full-time college drama place. Fenton...
On: 27/04/23 3 minutes
As a parent, Deborah’s priority is making sure her children are safe and happy – she wants to keep them away from harm and do everything she...
On: 20/04/23 3 minutes
Following the previous animation, Deborah shares her commentary as she navigates a trip to the supermarket with her three children. Supermarkets can...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Café environments can be busy and fast-paced, and for some autistic people, this offers little time to process all of the different sensory information....
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Through a series of animations, James and Mark shared their lived experience when eating out at a café. They offered a glimpse into their reality...
On: 12/04/23 2 minutes
A trip to the supermarket can be a challenging sensory experience for many autistic people - the combination of the bright artificial lighting, loud noises,...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
James is an autistic adult who was also diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of fifteen. He has limited verbal communication, and can say a couple of verbal...
On: 12/04/23 3 minutes
Mark is the proud father of James, and a staunch advocate for bringing about change for children, young people, and young adults with additional needs...
On: 03/04/23 3 minutes
In this follow-up animation, co-produced with James and his dad, we gain a greater insight into his experience at a café as an autistic adult with...
On: 22/03/23 3 minutes
Going out to eat in cafes and restaurants can be challenging for some autistic people due to sensory processing differences. With large crowds, long waits,...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
This past month, we shared some animations of a dental visit, featuring an autistic child, their parent, and a dental professional. They kindly shared...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
A visit to the dentist can be a cause of great stress and anxiety for many people. It can take years for someone to get comfortable enough to come into...
On: 22/03/23 4 minutes
When Archie was born, we knew immediately that he was different. We didn’t know or understand what that difference was, we just knew. When Archie...
On: 20/03/23 4 minutes
As a parent, taking your child to a dental appointment can be a daunting experience for the both of you. Rebecca is the proud mum of Archie, who is...
On: 13/03/23 2 minutes
Following our first animation, this new co-produced version features an insight into Archie and Rebecca’s perspective as they take a trip to the...
On: 06/03/23 2 minutes
Listening to lived autism experiences is so important. They tell us a different perspective and give onlookers a chance to increase their understanding...
On: 14/02/23 3 minutes
Providing an accessible and inclusive website experience 14 Feb 2023 There are over 1 billion people worldwide who face barriers when...
On: 01/02/23 3 minutes
We are delighted to appoint four new Trustees 01 Feb 2023 We recently announced the appointment of four new Trustees who will play...
On: 10/01/23
Introducing Awesome Archie, a local non-profit organisation supporting neurodiversity at school and at home! 10 Jan 2023 We’re...
On: 15/12/22 8 minutes
Autistic reflections on the cervical screening experience: What is it and why is it so important? The cervical screening...
On: 17/11/22 5 minutes
Introduction Finding the courage and determination to visit your doctor to talk about a problem that you’re facing is difficult. However,...
On: 04/11/22 3 minutes
The joy of shopping – thanks to an amazing team Following my story about my son James and his trip to the dentist I would like to tell you...
On: 31/10/22 5 minutes
Liam is my 14-year-old son who is a self-confessed geek and loves all things science related. He was born with cerebral palsy which can mean that he struggles...
On: 29/09/22 3 minutes
A Christchurch music therapist and researcher has told how the Ukrainian conflict has tinged the success of her first book’s publication with...
On: 13/09/22
My favourite sensory fidget toys. This post is the first of a series about my favourite sensory fidget toys. I’m not going to...
On: 09/09/22 3 minutes
Finley and Brodie are two of our Portfield School students who have struck up a heart-warming friendship after Brodie began to express an interest...
On: 07/09/22 5 minutes
Letter Writing Instructions 1) Decide who you are going to write to, and address your letter to them. You can simply put the person’s name if you...
On: 07/09/22 8 minutes
Many autistic people will have read, or at least heard of, books like The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, or The Rosie Project...
On: 06/09/22 8 minutes
The understanding, support and encouragement of others has made a huge difference to who I am today. Long before I received my autism diagnosis there...
On: 05/09/22
I thought I would tell you about my first time at a peer-support group. I suppose this was a few months after my diagnosis, and I had not really had...
On: 25/08/22 4 minutes
Ethan, one of our Futures Learners with a passion for engineering, was only four days into his work experience when aerospace engineering firm RHH...
On: 22/08/22 4 minutes
My name is Mark, and I have an amazing son called James who just happens to be autistic. He was confirmed as autistic when he was two years old and at...
On: 22/08/22 6 minutes
Jennie Chapman, mum of Finley tells how visiting the dentist was made so much easier thanks to the patience and understanding of her dentist. My son...
On: 18/08/22 4 minutes
My son, Liam, is a young adult with autism and intellectual disability. He is verbal, but is challenged by both receptive and expressive language and...
On: 18/08/22 2 minutes
We are very excited to share our new mobile coffee shop, the Brew Crew! 30 Aug 2022 The Brew Crew is a coffee horsebox designed to...
On: 29/07/22 5 minutes
Meet 11-year-old Jacob, who has turned his talents and wish to help other autistic children into a thriving business. 4 Aug 2022 The...
On: 20/07/22 6 minutes
A little understanding and kindness would have gone a long way My story begins with a flight into London Gatwick very early one morning from a...
On: 18/07/22 5 minutes
I just want my autism to be respected. Every five years or so I have the unenviable task of needing to re-confirm my autism to professionals in various...
On: 18/07/22 4 minutes
My grandson, Brooke is an autistic child who needs the sensory experience of touching and feeling things to help him learn and develop. This enables him...
On: 20/06/22 2 minutes
We are delighted to welcome on board Nevaeh, Autism Unlimited’s first Child Ambassador. 5 Jul 2022 Nevaeh, 12, who is autistic,...
On: 26/05/22 2 minutes
Pepper, Cayden, and Max are students at Portfield School. Here, they share an insight into their autism, hobbies, and experiences. Pepper enjoys hanging...
On: 28/04/22 8 minutes
Stewart is one of the assistant headteachers at Portfield School, with 20 years of teaching experience across a range of different schools. He shares his...
On: 20/04/22 15 minutes
Luke is a governor at Portfield School, a carer to his mum, and works at a National Trust café. In addition to caring for his mum, who is physically...
On: 20/04/22 3 minutes
Nevaeh is a talented 12-year-old singer, and newly appointed child ambassador for Autism Unlimited, who produced a magical performance at the launch of...
On: 20/04/22 15 minutes
Diagnosed three years ago at the age of 53, Patrick now works as a specialist mentor for an autism charity in addition to mentoring undergraduate students...
On: 13/04/22 3 minutes
Art allows a lot of people to express themselves in their own way, nurturing creativity, innovation and dialogue. It is commonly used as a therapeutic...
On: 23/03/22 3 minutes
Maddie has been a student at Portfield School for the past 5 years. Alongside her autism, she has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which makes daily...
On: 03/03/22 4 minutes
Deborah is an artist-in-residence at Portfield School, inspiring students to explore their creative side. While officially diagnosed at 41, she knew...
On: 28/02/22 4 minutes
Introducing Tyler - a sixth form student at Portfield School who shares his experiences with autism. Receiving an autism diagnosis can be a moment...
On: 28/02/22 4 minutes
Kai is a dedicated army cadet and sixth form student at Portfield School, sharing his thoughts on his autism. He has mixed views on autism, noting...
On: 23/02/22 8 minutes
‘Autism is a slightly different way of the brain functioning. I don’t think it means that you’re really any different to anyone else,...
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Robert is a facilities administrator who has worked at Autism Unlimited for the past 8 and a half years. He was diagnosed with autism as a teenager....
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Dela is an area manager at Autism Unlimited, overseeing support to a number of individuals in the autistic community. Having worked in the health and social...
On: 23/02/22 5 minutes
Meet Michael – an animal-loving Futures learner at Autism Unlimited, with a diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Futures is a learning programme that...
On: 14/02/22 8 minutes
"Autism in itself is not a negative, it is people’s lack of understanding and a lack of support that makes its impact so potentially damaging....
On: 01/02/22 4 minutes
Oliver is a 15 year old student at Portfield School with an autism diagnosis, dyspraxia and hypermobility. Discussing autism, he says, ‘Autism...
On: 01/02/22 5 minutes
Fenton is a 16 year old student at Portfield School, with an autism diagnosis and a talent for the performing arts. Diagnosed on his 3rd birthday,...
On: 21/01/22 2 minutes
Five colleagues from Autism Unlimited’s Portfied School are taking on an unusual challenge 21 Jan 2022 Five colleagues from...
On: 21/01/22 3 minutes
Sarah has been an ISL at Portfield School for the past 15 years, working closely with both the younger children and the sixth formers. She has been...
On: 16/12/21 3 minutes
Our Christmas Appeal – lending library of books and resources 16 December 21 Our Information and Support service provides vital...
On: 22/11/21 2 minutes
Join us on 1 December at Christchurch Priory for a night of festive fun! 01 Nov 2021 Join us on 1 December at Christchurch Priory for...
On: 27/10/21 2 minutes
Autism Unlimited has teamed up with three other regional autism charities to create this bespoke UK fundraising challenge. 14 Oct 2021 Autism...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
We are very happy to share our new eco Roundhouse with you, launched last week. 10 Sep 2021 Coinciding with the return of Portfield School...
On: 27/10/21 5 minutes
Meet Jamie, mum and carer of two autistic boys, Max and Riley, who attend Portfield School. 9 Jun 2021 **Our Autism Journey – Jamie...
On: 27/10/21 4 minutes
Last week students at Portfield School took part in a week of fundraising activities to mark World Autism Awareness Day, raising over £1,600!...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
To mark World Autism Awareness Day we have launched an Amazon Wish List campaign. 2 Apr 2021 Following the success of our Christmas Wishes...
On: 27/10/21 3 minutes
Our brand-new supported living home in Christchurch has just opened its doors and welcomed the first two tenants. 1 Mar 2021 Tony and...
On: 22/10/21 8 minutes
Dismissing my autism was the worst part of a hospital visit A relatively routine exploratory procedure at my local hospital turned into the appointment...
Autism Unlimited is registered in England & Wales under charity number 1000792 at Unit 1 & 2, Building 446 Commercial Road, Aviation Business Park, Christchurch, England, BH23 6NW. A company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales 02506982
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