Free sensory resources & tools (UK)
Free sensory resources for neurodivergent children — sensory diet checklists, regulation tools and practical guidance for home and school.
GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charitySensory differences guidance
Understanding sensory sensitivity and seeking in autistic children, with practical adjustments for home and school.
AutismSensory
TemplateNHS Humber and North Yorkshire (Hull University Teaching Hospitals)NHS5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique Printable (NHS)
Free NHS one-page printable of the 5-4-3-2-1 five-senses grounding technique to help a child refocus and calm down when anxious or overwhelmed.
Anxiety & wellbeingSensory- GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Anxiety in Autistic People (guidance)
Free guidance on why autistic children feel anxious and practical strategies: anxiety diaries, visual schedules, sensory tools and relaxation.
AutismAnxiety & wellbeingSensory 
ArticleBeyondAutismUK charityAutism and Sleep: Practical Strategies
Free guide on why autistic children struggle with sleep and practical strategies covering sleep diaries, bedtime routines and bedroom adjustments.
AutismSleepSensory
ArticleAmbitious about AutismUK charityAutism-Friendly Attractions & Days Out
Youth-network roundup of autism and sensory friendly UK attractions, museums, theme parks and relaxed screenings with quiet sessions.
SensoryAutism- GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Autism-Friendly Cinema: A Guide for Families
Guide to relaxed, autism-friendly cinema screenings across the UK (lights up, lower volume, freedom to move) plus tips for planning a visit.
SensoryAutism 
TemplateWidgitOrganisationBack to School Teacher Toolkit (50+ pages of symbols)
Free 50+ page PDF of visual timetables, reward charts and wellbeing supports to help non-readers settle back into school after the summer break.
AutismSchool & EBSATransitions
DirectoryCerebraUK charityCerebra Free Toy & Sensory Library
Free UK postal lending library of sensory and switch toys plus books for families caring for a child with a brain condition.
SensoryAutism- GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Dealing with Change (autism)
Free guidance on why change is hard for autistic people and practical strategies (countdowns, plan B/C, preparation) useful for transitions.
AutismTransitionsAnxiety & wellbeing - GuideCerebraUK charity
Emotional Outbursts: a guide for parents (PDF)
Free guide on understanding emotional outbursts in children with a learning disability, with practical support strategies for families.
BehaviourSensorySpeech & communication 
DirectoryEuan's GuideUK charityEuan's Guide: Disabled Access Reviews
Free UK directory of disabled-access reviews of venues and days out, written by families, useful for finding sensory and quiet-friendly places.
SensoryAutism
TemplateGriffinOTOrganisationFree Sensory Diet & Movement Break Cards
Printable colour-coded sensory diet cards (alerting and calming) by a UK occupational therapist, free to download after a free email signup.
SensoryBehaviour- CourseGriffinOTOrganisation
Free Sensory Processing Course (Section 1)
Free 2-hour online introduction to sensory processing and the eight senses for parents and school staff, taught by a UK occupational therapist.
SensoryBehaviour 
WorksheetThey Are The Future (Everlief Child Psychology)OrganisationGrounding Exercises for Kids (free printable PDF)
Free direct-download printable of 15 grounding techniques, including the 5-4-3-2-1 five-senses method, written by a UK clinical psychologist for calm corners.
Anxiety & wellbeingSensory
GuideSomerset NHS Foundation TrustNHSGuidance on the Use of Weighted Blankets
NHS safety guidance on weighted blankets for children, including the 10% body weight rule, who should not use them and supervision advice.
SensorySleep
GuideScopeUK charityHelping Your Disabled Child Sleep
Free Scope guide for disabled children aged 4+: bedtime wind-down, dark cool bedroom (16-18C), night wakings, sleep diaries and parent support.
SleepBehaviourSensory
GuideAutism AngliaUK charityHow to Help Your Autistic Child Sleep Better
Free guide on autistic children's sleep covering early waking, blackout curtains, white noise and calming bedroom set-up, from a UK autism charity.
AutismSleepSensory
GuideYoungMindsUK charityHow to Make a Self-Soothe (Calm) Box
Step-by-step guide to building a calm box using the five senses to help a child ground and settle when anxious or overwhelmed.
SensoryAnxiety & wellbeingBehaviour- GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Meltdowns - a guide for all audiences
NAS guide explaining what an autistic meltdown is, how it differs from a tantrum, common triggers, and practical ways to help and prevent them.
AutismBehaviourSensory - GuideAmbitious about AutismUK charity
Meltdowns and shutdowns explained
Charity guide on why a meltdown is distress not a tantrum, what a shutdown is, plus triggers, sensory changes and recovery strategies.
AutismBehaviourSensory 
TemplateLeeds MencapUK charityNow & Next Boards and Communication Card Packs
Free downloadable now-and-next board plus communication card packs for bedtime, food, medical and activities, from a UK learning-disability charity.
Speech & communicationAutismSensory
GuideWest Suffolk NHS Foundation TrustNHSOccupational Therapy for Sensory Processing Differences
NHS page explaining how children's OT supports sensory processing differences and who can make a referral, with a free self-led offer.
SensoryDiagnosis
GuideDoncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHSNHSOccupational Therapy Sensory Advice
NHS sensory strategies organised by sense (movement, touch, sound, sight, oral) you can build into a daily sensory diet at home and school.
SensoryBehaviour
GuideAutism Toolbox (Education Scotland)GovernmentPrimary 7 to Secondary School Transition (Autism Toolbox)
Free transition guidance and templates: colour-coded timetables, school maps, transition plans, social stories and 'what if' prompt cards.
AutismSchool & EBSATransitions
TemplateNHS Borders Children's OT ServiceNHSProprioception & Body Awareness Activity Sheet
Printable NHS PDF of proprioception and heavy work activity ideas for children who need deep pressure input to feel calm and focused.
SensoryBehaviour
GuideBerkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustNHSProprioception & Heavy Work Activities
NHS page listing heavy work and proprioceptive activities (pushing, pulling, carrying, tug of war) that calm and organise children's bodies.
SensoryBehaviour
GuideAnna FreudUK charityRelaxation and calming techniques for children
Free quick calming and grounding techniques (breathing, muscle relaxation, visualisation) children can use to self-regulate strong feelings.
Anxiety & wellbeingBehaviourSensory
GuideRotherham SEND Local OfferGovernmentRotherham Sensory Toolkit
Free SEND Local Offer toolkit covering the senses, sensory checklists and calming, alerting and heavy work strategies for home and school.
SensorySchool & EBSABehaviour
ChecklistBuckinghamshire Healthcare NHS TrustNHSSensory Behaviour Checklist
Free downloadable NHS checklist to help parents notice and record their child's sensory behaviours before an occupational therapy session.
SensoryDiagnosis- GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Sensory Differences in Autism
Clear guide to hyper- and hypo-sensitivity across all the senses, explaining sensory seeking vs avoiding and how to reduce sensory overload.
SensoryAutism - GuideCerebraUK charity
Sensory Processing: A Guide for Parents
Free parent guide explaining sensory processing, the eight senses, seeking vs avoiding, assessment and practical strategies to try at home.
SensoryAutismBehaviour - GuideCerebraUK charity
Sensory Processing: A Guide for Parents
Free Cerebra parent guide explaining sensory over- and under-reactivity and sensory seeking, with practical strategies to build a sensory plan at home.
AutismSensoryBehaviour - GuideNational Autistic SocietyUK charity
Sleep: A Guide for Parents and Families
Free NAS guide on autistic children's sleep: visual routines, bedroom environment, light and noise, melatonin and support for parents.
AutismSleepSensory 
GuideThe Sleep CharityUK charitySleep Advice for Children with SEND
Free, practical sleep guidance for children with additional needs - sleep diaries, sensory issues, screens, visual routines and when to seek help.
SleepSensoryADHD- ChecklistThe Sleep CharityUK charity
Sleep Charity Advice Sheets (bedtime routine, bedroom, SEND)
Free downloadable advice sheets: good bedtime routine, ideal bedroom environment, night terrors and SEND, in colour and print-friendly versions.
SleepAutismSensory - GuideCerebraUK charity
Weighted Blankets for Sleep Difficulties: Factsheet
Free evidence-based factsheet summarising research and safety around weighted blankets for sleep in children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
SleepAutismSensory 
GuideShropshire Community Health NHS TrustNHSWeighted Equipment Guidelines
NHS guidelines PDF on safe use of weighted blankets and vests for children, with the 10% body weight rule and time-limit recommendations.
SensorySleep
GuideHertfordshire Community NHS Trust (Health for Under 5s)NHSWhat Is a Sensory Diet? (with examples)
NHS explainer for parents on what a sensory diet is, with calming and alerting activity examples to help children stay regulated through the day.
SensoryBehaviour
GuideJust One Norfolk (NHS)NHSZones of Regulation: Feelings & Calming Activities
Free NHS page explaining the colour-coded Zones of Regulation, with a printable and focus, movement and calming sensory activities for children.
AutismAnxiety & wellbeingSensory
More topics
Links to external organisations are provided for information. Remarkable Minds isn't responsible for the content of external sites, and a listing here isn't an endorsement.