Social stories are a social learning tool that supports the safe and meaningful exchange of information between parents, professionals, and people with autism of all ages. Susan works on behalf of a child or adolescent with autism, to help them navigate and understand situations that arise in daily life.

Susan develops personalised social stories in collaboration with the child/ young adult she is working with, using text and/or illustrations that are meaningful to and are understood by the client.

Schedules, lists and calendars help most of us. For young people and adults who have difficulty with organisation, they can be life-changing. Susan works with her clients to develop schedules that are meaningful to and will work for them. With younger clients, it is also beneficial to use visual and written schedules in combination with a visual timer.

For people with autism, visual schedules have many benefits, including the reduction of anxiety, greater independence and higher self-esteem.

A mind map involves writing down a central theme, and thinking of new and related ideas which radiate out from the theme, by focusing on key ideas which are written down in a person’s own words and/or pictures. Susan helps children and young adults to map knowledge in a way that better helps them to understand and retain information. This is a particularly helpful strategy for visual learners and for those who have difficulty with executive functioning. Susan assists clients to develop a greater awareness of concepts around emotions, friendships and social skills through using a collaborative mind-mapping approach.