The tools and documents shared on this page are mostly from third parties, and Autism 360 (formerly DW Autism) is not responsible for their accuracy or currency. Some links may have moved since this list was made.
Welcome to the autism tools and documents library. Here you’ll find heaps of free, helpful autism resources from across the internet, from early concern toolkits to school, sleep, feeding, employment and family support tools.
Many of these tools come from US organizations, including Autism Speaks. Some autistic people and families criticize Autism Speaks for its history and approach, so we encourage you to read every resource critically and take what is useful for your family. Further down, we also share everyday tools for autism that you can use at home, and Australian sources of free information.
Developmental Tools and Resources for Autism
First Concern to Early Action Toolkit
- Suitable for: Toddlers under 3 years
- Stage: Not yet diagnosed with autism
- Category: Diagnosis & Assessment
Your child may be just a couple of years old, and you’re starting to notice that they’re developing a bit differently from other children. You may be asking yourself, does my child have autism, and if so, what next? This booklet guides you through the next steps and how to get the most out of early intervention services.
Before you download this toolkit, you could try these Autism 360 resources:
Go to our Autism Test Center and take the Autism Test for Toddlers
Take a look at our Assessment & Progress Monitoring Tools repository
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100 Day Autism Kit
Suitable for: Children under 4 years
Stage: Newly diagnosed with autism
Category: Early Intervention
This tool is from Autism Speaks and is for families of children under 4 who have just been diagnosed with autism. It aims to help families make the most of the first 100 days after their child’s autism diagnosis.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100 Day Kit For School Going
Suitable for: Children aged 5 to 13 years
Stage: Diagnosed with autism and starting school
Category: Behavioral and Learning
This tool supports parents of children with ASD aged 5 to 13. Focused on school readiness, it includes tools and strategies to help families through the important first 100 days of school.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Autism Internet Modules
- Suitable for: Parents, Therapists
- Category: Developmental Tools
Autism Internet Modules (AIM) provides quality information and training for anyone who teaches, supports, works or lives with an autistic person. The only downside is that you need to register to get free access to the modules.
Each module guides you through instructional videos, assessments, case studies and more. The modules are free, but if you want credit or a certificate, there is a small fee. Click above to see the list of all modules.
Publisher: Autism Internet Modules
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Autism Speaks Video Glossary
Suitable for: Parents of autistic children
Category: Video Tools
Another free tool from Autism Speaks. It’s a handy tool for parents who want to understand how autism can show up in their child’s development. To access it, you need to complete a free registration.
It’s no surprise this tool is our Editor’s choice with a 5-star rating. Videos are grouped by area, from communication to feeding and learning. Side-by-side videos of typically developing (non-autistic) children and children showing early signs of autism help parents spot the differences.
Publisher: Autism Internet Modules
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Autism Advocacy Kit
- Suitable for: Autistic people and their families
- Stage: Autistic teens and adults with ASD or borderline autism
- Category: Advocacy, Communication, and Negotiations
This tool helps autistic people and their families use advocacy and negotiation skills in common situations. Each section was written by experts in that area and is designed to support an autistic person across their lifespan.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Autism Behavioral Treatment Kit
- Suitable for: Children with Autism who show aggression or distress
- Category: Behavioral Support
Some kids with autism show aggression, self-injury, tantrums or meltdowns, or oppositional defiance. These behaviors usually communicate distress, pain, sensory overload or an unmet need. This tool has practical tips for parents to understand and respond to these behaviors, and a range of strategies to use at home.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Medication Decision Handbook
- Suitable for: Parents of autistic children starting medication
- Category: Medication Therapy
Deciding about medication is hard for most families. Medication doesn’t treat autism itself, but some autistic children are prescribed medication (such as Risperdal) for co-occurring conditions or for severe distress, irritability or sleep problems. This handbook includes family decision aids and answers common questions parents have before starting medication.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Medication Safe Use ToolKit
Suitable for: Autistic people taking medication
Category: Medication Therapy
For families who have decided, with their doctor, to use medication for co-occurring conditions or specific Autism symptoms such as severe anxiety or sleep problems, this toolkit can be very useful when starting medication. It lists target symptoms and possible side effects to help you prepare, and it’s a guide to safe use of medication alongside other supports.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Toilet Training Autism ToolKit
- Suitable for: Autistic toddlers
- Category: Behavioral Support
Many parents of kids with autism find toilet training takes longer and needs a different approach. This toolkit explains common challenges and gives helpful tips for working through them.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Pica Handbook for Autistic Children
Suitable for: Toddlers & Children with Autism
Category: Diet Therapy
Pica means repeatedly eating things that aren’t food. It is more common in autistic children than in other children. This handbook explains why some autistic children develop pica, why it can be harmful, and what parents can do to keep their child safe and reduce it.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Autism Feeding Habits Handbook
- Suitable for: Toddlers & Children with Autism
- Category: Diet Therapy
Studies suggest that more than half of autistic children have some difficulty with food, often linked to sensory sensitivities. Some families also try dietary approaches like the GFCF Diet for Autism, hoping to support their child’s cognitive ability and wellbeing, but research hasn’t shown consistent benefits, so talk to a dietitian before removing foods. This feeding handbook helps you understand your child’s eating and find practical ways to support it.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABA Informational Guide
- Suitable for: Autism, all ages
- Category: Behavior Therapy
ABA is a set of principles based on the science of learning and behavior, used to teach skills and support behavior. This toolkit gives parents a better understanding of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), how it may help, and where to find services. ABA is debated within the autistic community, so ask any provider how they respect your child’s comfort, consent and autonomy.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Sleep Strategy Toolkits
- Suitable for: Autistic teens
- Category: Sleep
Many autistic teens find it hard to get to sleep or stay asleep. Sleep difficulties may be more common in autistic boys than girls. Poor sleep affects how they feel and cope during the day. This tool helps parents build healthy sleep routines and tackle problems with waking at night and sleepiness during the day.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Visual Support Tools
Suitable for: Children of all ages
Category: Learning Support
With so many apps for autism available today, this printable visual support tool may seem old-fashioned, but it’s a classic, and it’s free! It gives step-by-step visual instructions that parents can cut out and use to support their children with everyday social, communication and daily living skills.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐½
Challenging Behavior Toolkit
Suitable for: Children of all ages
Category: Behavioral Support
Anger, aggression, tantrums and meltdowns can be really hard for families to handle, and they’re often a sign that an autistic child is overwhelmed, in pain or unable to communicate a need. This toolkit offers strategies to understand what the behavior is telling you, prevent triggers and keep everyone safe. Useful for any family going through a tough patch.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐½
Autism Employment Tools
- Suitable for: Adults with Autism
- Category: Employment
Every autistic adult is different. The Autism Employment Tool Kit is a useful handbook for finding and keeping a job, and a helpful reference for employers. It was developed with autistic adults and focuses on increasing employment of autistic people.
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Autism Family Support Tools
- Suitable for: Families and friends of autistic people
- Category: Informational
Learning that your child, friend or family member is autistic can bring up a lot of feelings, from relief and clarity to worry, confusion or grief, and all of these are normal parts of adjusting. This resource helps families understand autism and find their way forward together.
To make it easier to use, the tool is split into 4 guides based on your relationship with the autistic person:
Publisher: Autism Speaks
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Autism Adulthood Transitioning Tool
- Suitable for: Teens moving into adulthood
- Category: Growing Up
Moving into adulthood is a big step for autistic teens. It brings new opportunities as well as new challenges. This guide helps families and young people plan and prepare for adult life together.
Publisher: Autism Treatment Network
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
Evidence-Based Autism Intervention
Suitable for: Toddlers and children with Autism
Category: Early Intervention
A well-researched summary of evidence-based support approaches for children with Autism. Endorsed by several autism organizations and Missouri government bodies, this free document is a useful read.
Publisher: Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Everyday Autism Tools for Kids at Home
Alongside the toolkits above, simple everyday tools for autism, often called autism support tools, can make home life calmer and more predictable. Many of these tools for autistic children are low-cost or free:
- Visual schedules and first-then boards. Show what’s happening now and next, which lowers anxiety around transitions. See our guide to visual schedules.
- Timers. Visual or sand timers help children see how long an activity will last and when it will end.
- Social stories. Short, simple stories that explain a new or tricky situation, like a haircut or a new school, in advance.
- Communication tools. Picture cards, communication boards and AAC devices give non-speaking and minimally speaking children a voice.
- Sensory tools. Noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets, chewy necklaces, weighted lap pads and a quiet corner can help with regulation.
- Play-based autism teaching tools. Matching games, puzzles, building toys and turn-taking games build skills through play. Browse our ideas for autism toys.
- Care management tools. A simple folder or app to track appointments, reports, medications and NDIS goals makes life easier when you’re juggling many professionals.
The best tools for kids with autism are the ones that suit your child’s interests, age and way of communicating. Start with one or two, and build from there.
Australian Sources of Free Autism Information
If you’re in Australia, you’ll also find free, locally relevant information from organizations such as the Raising Children Network, Autism CRC, Amaze and Autism Awareness Australia, as well as the NDIS website for information about early childhood support and funding.
Autism 360 Blog
Click here to visit Autism360’s Blog
- Suitable for: All autistic people and their families
- Category: 360° Development
Last but not least, please explore our website Autism 360 for a wide range of autism resources. From blogs and articles on autism to Autism treatment and therapy options, we have it all covered and keep adding to the platform. You can learn more About us and get in touch with us if you have any questions.
Publisher: Autism 360
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
