FAMILIES

Support for Families

As parents of two autistic children, we are aware of the need for the right support due to the pressure which families face throughout their child’s educational journey. When a child is unable to attend school, is struggling with anxiety, or has demand avoidance, support is often limited and difficult to access. Therefore, we aim to offer the right support at the right time without having to wait for it.

We know how overwhelming it can feel when your child is struggling and you are trying to find the right support. That is why we have created a series of free, practical videos to help you start making sense of what is happening and what you can do to help.

These videos have been created by Aaron Yorke, autism specialist and founder of Accepting Behaviour, based on over twenty years of experience working with autistic children, young people, and their families. The insights shared here are grounded in real-life practice, and everything we suggest comes from a place of understanding, empathy, and acceptance.

Please take your time to explore the videos below. Each one is linked directly for easy viewing and includes a short explanation of what it covers and how it can help. You do not need to pay or register to access this content; it is available for you to access at any time.

1. An Introduction to The ACCEPT Approach.

If this is your first time hearing about acceptance-based support, this video is a great place to start.

Aaron introduces The Accept Approach (Yorke, 2021) an innovative model developed to meet the needs of autistic and neurodivergent children who have not been able to engage with traditional education or mental health services.

In this video, you will learn:

• Why are many autistic children misunderstood or mislabelled in school and clinical settings
• What “acceptance” means in practice, and how it differs from behaviour-focused models
• How the Accept Approach helps reduce anxiety, rebuild trust, and encourage self-directed learning
• The key roles of the Acceptor (adult) and the Accepted (child) in building a working partnership

This video gives a clear overview of the philosophy behind everything we do at Accepting Behaviour. It also explains why acceptance, not compliance, must be the foundation of meaningful support.

2. School Attendance Problems

If your child cannot attend school or even talk about school, this video is for you.

Aaron discusses:

• The difference between “school refusal” and school-based anxiety
• Why forcing children back into school too soon can cause further trauma
• How to support your child while they are at home, without creating pressure to return
• What a respectful, compassionate pathway looks like when your child is not attending

This video is especially useful for parents who are under pressure from professionals to “get their child back into school.” It helps you understand your rights, your child’s needs, and how to explain the situation to others in a way that reflects your child’s well-being.

3. Understanding Anxiety in autistic children

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges autistic children face, but it is also one of the most misunderstood.

In this video, Aaron explores:

• The core link between autism and anxiety
• How common support strategies can unintentionally make anxiety worse
• What anxiety looks like in autistic children (it is not always visible)
• Why traditional responses like “just reassure them” are often not enough

You will also hear practical suggestions for how to support your child when they are overwhelmed. These ideas are not quick fixes, but instead offer a more sustainable, relationship-based approach to helping your child feel safe and understood.

If you feel stuck or if your child seems constantly “on edge,” this video can help you begin to unpack what is going on and how to respond without pressure.

4. A Different Way to Support autistic Students in the Classroom

Whether your child is still attending school, or has struggled in a school setting, this video offers valuable insight into what classrooms can do differently.

You will learn:

• Why common strategies like sticker charts and sanctions often backfire with autistic children
• What a more neuro-affirming classroom might look like
• Specific, actionable ideas that teachers and teaching assistants can put in place right away

We know that many families feel unheard when raising concerns with schools. This video can give you the language and examples you might need to share with educators to advocate for your child more effectively.

Even if your child is out of school, it can also help you understand why that environment may have become too difficult—and what could help if reintegration is considered.

5. Autism and OCD: A look at intrusive thoughts.

Many autistic young people experience intrusive thoughts, obsessive patterns, or repetitive worries, but these are often misunderstood or dismissed.

In this important video, Aaron takes a sensitive and clear look at:

• What intrusive thoughts are, and why they happen
• How OCD may look different in autistic people
• What not to do when your child shares something that seems extreme or scary
• Why punishment, correction, or logic-based reassurance can cause more harm than good

You will also hear about ways to approach these difficult experiences with calmness and care. If your child talks about upsetting thoughts, repeats things over and over, or becomes distressed by “what if” scenarios, this video offers you real tools to help.

Every video on this page comes from the same core belief: your child is not broken, and neither are you.

The Accept Approach is built on the idea that real progress comes not from fixing children, but from accepting them, fully, without conditions, without shame, and without pressure. By understanding anxiety, recognising trauma responses, and responding with flexibility and empathy, you can begin to rebuild your child’s confidence and connection to the world around them.

If you need to speak to someone directly, we can help.

If, after watching these videos, you feel that you would benefit from a more individual consultation, we are happy to help. We offer one-to-one support through booked sessions, and we can provide a breakdown of consultation costs and availability. However, we strongly recommend starting with the free videos first, as they cover most of the common challenges families face.

We hope this helps alleviate some of the pressure, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start.