Returning to school can be a challenging time for young people with autism, so a new online support service has published a series of guides aimed at helping students, parents and teachers.

According to the support and advocacy service, AsIAm.ie, these guides will help young people deal with issues such as anxiety, isolation and bullying.

"We hope this schools programme will make everyone involved aware of the practical day to day challenges people with autism face in school. We want to start a discussion between parents, teachers and students on how we can build a more inclusive and supportive environment for those on the autism spectrum," commented AsIAm CEO and founder, Adam Harris.

Mr Harris, who is just 19, has Aspergers syndrome. This is a form of autism in which those affected usually have a normal IQ, but they may have very poor communication, social and emotional skills. Characteristics can include difficulties forming relationships and a big reliance on routines and timetables.

He pointed out that with the correct approach, young people with autism can thrive in school.

Speaking at the launch of the new guides, Carrie Burton, who has three children with autism, explained that a classroom can be very over stimulating for a person with autism.

"Noise, a large group of people, and their own anxiety of trying to self calm in the room can lead them to become over loaded and not follow instructions. Going into a school can feel overwhelming. If teachers don't understand this complex condition, the child can end up with severe anxiety and low self-esteem," she said.

However, simple steps can make a big difference, such as class breaks, access to a sensory room and a buddy system in the yard so that no child is left feeling isolated.

Also commenting on the new guides, Sally Maguire, the former president of ASTI, the main union for secondary school teachers, emphasised that most teachers in mainstream schools have received no training in teaching children with autism ‘and therefore do not know how best to support them'.

"This is particularly difficult in large classes which may also include students of mixed academic abilities, students with other special educational needs and some for whom English is not their first language," she noted.

The AsIAm Back to School Survival Guides are available to download for free here