Autism Resources: Free Tools, Visual Schedules & Printables
If you’re supporting an autistic child (or student), it can feel like you’re juggling a hundred things at once. You don’t need “perfect”. You just need good tools and trusted info you can use right now.
This page is a hand-picked list of helpful websites for ideas, learning, communication, daily routines, and printable supports.
Here’s what you’ll find below:
- Trusted autism info (clear, practical, no fluff)
- Visual schedules & supports to make days calmer
- Free symbols and picture cards for communication
- Learning and reading help that suits visual learners
- Printables for teachers and parents (easy to grab and use)
Start here: trusted autism information
National Autistic Society (UK) advice and guides (great for understanding supports and everyday needs).
Raising Children Network (Australia): practical info and guides for families raising autistic kids.
Aspect (Australia): autism information sheets made for families and professionals.
Amaze (Australia): downloadable resources and support info.
Make routines easier: visual schedules and visual supports
Autism Hub (Queensland): simple explanation of visual schedules and how they help.
Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA): a big library of articles + ready-to-use visual supports.
Do2Learn: free picture cards + guides for making visual schedules and work systems.
The OT Toolbox: practical visual schedule tips from an OT point of view.
Communication and symbols (free alternatives)
ARASAAC: thousands of free AAC symbols you can download and use.
OpenSymbols: a large collection of open-licensed communication symbols.
Widgit: symbol-supported resources (including free classroom toolkits and materials).
Structured teaching and independence (TEACCH-style ideas)
TEACCH resources: structured teaching materials and independence-focused tasks.
Work systems explained (great if you’re setting up independent task boxes).
Learning and reading supports
Picture Me Reading: visual cues built into high-frequency words (handy for visual learners).
Reading Rockets: practical reading tips for families of kids on the spectrum.
Temple Grandin’s tips: clear, practical teaching ideas (especially for visual thinkers).
Teacher printables (easy wins)
A to Z Teacher Stuff: lesson plans, themes, and lots of printables.
SEN Teacher: printable generators (including clear maths sheets) and classroom tools.
Enchanted Learning: a huge library of activities and printables (some free, full access via membership).
Jan Brett activities: beautiful bulletin board printables, calendars, alphabet pages, and more.
Songs and themed learning
KIDiddles: lyrics and printable song sheets for kids’ songs (great for themed units).
Easy tracing fonts (free alternative)
If you used to rely on old “kids fonts” sites for worksheets, here are free tracing/handwriting font options
Health & fitness: movement that helps (without the pressure)
Exercise isn’t about “sporty” or “perfect”. For many autistic kids (and adults), the right kind of movement can help with strength, coordination, sleep, mood, and even social confidence.
Here are some great places to start:
Raising Children Network (Australia): Physical activity for kids with disability, simple ideas, how to choose activities, and ways to make it easier.
Raising Children (Autism): activity guides, heaps of easy play-based movement ideas using stuff you already have at home.
Autism Awareness Australia: Exercise and autism, explains the “why” and gives practical tips for making movement feel safe and doable.
Inclusive sports and programs (great for confidence + friends)
Special Olympics Australia: Sport programs for people with intellectual disability and/or autism, with a focus on fun, belonging, and getting active.
Special Olympics Schools: Inclusive Sport in Schools, resources and programs that help make school sport more inclusive.
Helpful toolkits (especially if sport is stressful)
Autism Speaks: strategies for sports and physical activities, practical ways to handle sensory needs, routines, and confidence building.
Autism Speaks: Exercise Benefits, a helpful overview of how physical activity can support skills like strength, motor skills, and social functioning.