Professionals working in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are often tasked with the critical role of helping autistic teenagers navigate their unique experiences. Understanding oneself is a crucial aspect of adolescence, and for autistic teenagers, this journey can require tailored resources and support. The **Know Yourself** series offers a comprehensive suite of free resources designed to empower autistic young people in understanding their autistic identity and personal experiences.

An Introduction to the Know Yourself Series

The Know Yourself series has been meticulously crafted with input from autistic individuals to ensure it resonates deeply with its target audience. The resources include videos, downloadable PDFs, and interactive worksheets, all aiming to provide autistic teenagers with the tools they need to explore and understand their autism. This series is particularly valuable for professionals in SEND roles, offering a ready-made toolkit to support their work with autistic students.

The Importance of Self-Understanding for Autistic Teenagers

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery, where understanding one's identity plays a key role in personal development. For autistic teenagers, this can be a complex process that involves not only the typical challenges of adolescence but also the additional layers of understanding their neurodivergence.

The Know Yourself series recognizes this and offers resources that are not just informative but also reflective. By hearing directly from other young autistic people, teenagers are provided with relatable experiences and perspectives, fostering a deeper connection to the material.

Key Topics Covered in the Know Yourself Series

Over the course of three years, the **Know Yourself** series will explore six essential topics. Currently, the first two topics, **Understanding Yourself** and **Energy Accounting**, are available. These topics serve as foundational pillars in the journey of self-discovery for autistic teenagers.

1. Understanding Yourself

• Understanding Yourself Guide: This downloadable guide is written and led by autistic individuals, offering a personal and relatable approach to self-discovery. It encourages teenagers to explore their own likes, dislikes, personality traits, and what makes them unique, including their autistic identity.
• Understanding Yourself Worksheet: Accompanying the guide, this worksheet provides a structured way for teenagers to delve deeper into their self-exploration. It’s a practical tool that can be used in educational settings or therapy sessions, enabling young people to articulate and reflect on their experiences.

2. Energy Accounting

• Energy Accounting Guide: This guide introduces a technique called energy accounting, which helps autistic teenagers manage their energy levels. By understanding how different activities impact their energy, they can learn to balance their day-to-day life more effectively.
• Energy Accounting Worksheet: This worksheet is designed to accompany the Energy Accounting guide, providing a hands-on approach to applying the concepts learned. It’s an excellent resource for professionals looking to help students develop practical self-management skills.

Additional Resources

Beyond the primary guides and worksheets, the Know Yourself series also offers a curated list of additional resources. These include materials and references that were used during the development of the series or are complementary to the topics covered. This additional content can be particularly useful for professionals seeking to expand their resource library or explore new approaches to supporting autistic teenagers.

The Know Yourself series is an invaluable resource for professionals working with autistic teenagers, offering a well-rounded, practical approach to supporting autistic teenagers in their journey of self-discovery. By leveraging these resources, professionals can help young people better understand their autistic identity, manage their energy, and ultimately, empower them to embrace their unique selves.

For more information and to access these resources, visit the Know Yourself series website (https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/resources-for-autistic-teenagers).

Also, for 2024 we are offering a free E Learning module called ‘a guide to the mental health experiences and needs of autistic teenagers’ The free 2024 module aims to enhance understanding of autistic experiences, mental health, and strategies to support autistic youth, helping professionals make informed adjustments in their practice. Great opportunity to learn more and increase your CPD points: https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/autism-training-and-best-practice/training/e-learning.