Selby Neurodiversity Advice Event

Showcasing Our Neurodevelopmental Service at the “Selby Neurodiversity Advice” Event

Yesterday, Emma Warren spent the day with Selby PCN at the Selby Neurodiversity Advice event, held in the beautiful surroundings of Selby Abbey.

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet so many people, share information about our Neurodevelopmental Service, and talk about our Post Diagnostic Support and Psychological Therapies for Neurodivergent Adults. Emma also connected with other service providers to help ensure people are signposted to the right support.

We were thrilled to see Selby Town PCN sharing our Post Diagnostic Support flyers at their stall — a great example of partnership working in action.

We’re also excited to share that our private Adult ADHD service currently has no waiting list, and our Children’s Private Autism and Post-Diagnostic Service is offering appointments within two weeks — helping families access support quickly when they need it most.

A big thank you to Emma for representing our team and helping raise awareness of the support available for neurodivergent adults and children in our community.

If you would like to book an appointment into one of our services or just want more information, please email hello@theretreatclinics.org.uk

How to Talk to Children About Autism

“Dad, What’s Autism?”

Explaining autism to children can feel daunting. You might not feel like you fully understand it yourself, or you may worry about saying the “wrong” thing. Children are naturally curious, though, and that curiosity is a positive starting point. Often it’s our own preconceptions or anxieties that make us clam up.

One of the best first steps is to reflect on your own understanding: what does autism mean to you? Do you feel confident in how you’d explain it? If not, that’s okay. These conversations don’t have to be perfect, and they don’t have to happen all at once. What matters is being open, honest, and willing to learn alongside your child.

This guide offers some tips and starting points to help you feel more comfortable when your child asks questions like “What’s autism?” or when you want to introduce the topic yourself.

Be Curious About Their Curiosity

If your child asks about autism, take a moment to understand where the question is coming from.

• Have they met or become friends with someone who is autistic?
• Have they heard it mentioned at school or on TV?
• Are they trying to make sense of differences they’ve noticed in others or themselves?

Asking gentle follow-up questions can help you pitch your explanation at the right level and connect it to their world.

Keep It Simple and Honest

Children don’t need long technical explanations. They need clarity, reassurance, and words they can relate to.

For younger children

You don’t need complicated explanations. One way to frame it is through the idea of different neurotypes. We all have a brain, and our brain is like the engine room that helps us think, learn, and understand the world. Brains can work in different ways, and one of those ways is an autistic brain. An autistic brain notices, processes, and responds to the world differently. That difference is part of what makes someone who they are.

For older children

You can go into a little more detail about how an autistic brain might work. You might explain that autistic brains can sometimes notice details that other people miss, or that they can find patterns more easily. You might talk about how some autistic people experience the world very vividly, which can make bright lights or loud noises uncomfortable, but can also make interests and passions feel especially powerful. You could explain that moving between tasks or changes in routine can sometimes feel harder, because the autistic brain likes to know what to expect.

Celebrate Difference and Individuality

One of the most important messages for children to hear is: no two autistic people are the same because no two humans are the same. Autism is one part of who someone is, and every autistic person has their own personality, interests, and needs.

That also means the kind of support an autistic child might need can vary. Some may need help with certain activities at school, while others may not. Children often notice these differences, and talking about them openly helps remove mystery or stigma.

Introduce Positive Role Models

It can be powerful for children to see autistic people represented as role models, whether that’s authors, scientists, athletes, or creators. Sharing these stories shows that autism is not something to hide or fear, but something that can shape unique talents and perspectives.

From well-known figures like Greta Thunberg to local or family role models, these examples help children see the real, positive impact of neurodiversity in the world.

Make Use of Stories and Resources

Books and videos can be a really helpful way to support these conversations. They give children another way to access the information, at their own pace, and allow them to dip in and out as their curiosity grows. Some useful resources include:

• Books: Wonderfully Wired by Louise Gooding,
• Videos: Amazing Things Happen by Alexander Amelines (via the National Autistic Society)
• TV/Online: Pablo – Talking to Your Child About Autism (CBeebies website)
• Organisations:
  • The Curly Hair Project – comics, animations, and stories based on lived experience
  • The National Autistic Society – wide range of parent and child-friendly resources

These resources can help children explore autism in ways that are engaging, relatable, and affirming.

Keep the Conversation Going

Explaining autism isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing conversation that will grow and change as your child does. They might return with new questions after something happens at school, after watching a film, or as they develop more self-awareness.

You don’t need to have all the answers at once. What matters is showing that you’re open to talking, listening, and learning together.

Why These Conversations Matter

When we talk to children about autism, we’re not only helping them understand themselves or their peers,  we’re shaping a more compassionate and inclusive future. Neurodiversity is a part of human variation. By recognising this difference as part of the variety of life, we help children grow up seeing it as a valuable and part of the very fabric of our communities.

So, the next time your child asks, “What’s autism?”, see it as the opportunity it is. You don’t need the perfect answer, what matters most is starting the conversation.

And if you think your child may be neurodiverse, or you’ve recently received a diagnosis, you don’t have to navigate the journey alone. At The Retreat Clinics, we’re here to support you and your family with understanding, confidence, and practical strategies every step of the way.  Call 01904 412 551 to book an appointment today.

 

Availability in our Post Diagnostic Support Service for Autistic Adults