Hi! My name is Lillian, people call me Lilli. I began studying autism and SEND when my siblings got diagnosed. I have a Level 2 in: Understanding autism, Understanding behaviour that challenges and Understanding adverse childhood experiences. 
I went on to complete a Level 3 in SEND as a teaching assistant at the Wherry school, where I have spent almost 2 years gaining my qualification and experience.

This idea actually came to me during a bucket time session. Parents really struggle to help their SEN children get out for extracurricular activities, I thought well why isn't this an extra curricular activity?

So, I contacted the council, found a venue and gathered some experienced volunteers!

Now, within our autism explorers community we will strive to offer important skills via fun activities!

These activities will benefit; attention and concentration, fine motor, speech and language, imagination, basic life skills and more!

We want to help SEN children socialise, and nurture their skills and interests.

 

Our Story

 

Autism Explorers: Creating a Space Where Every Child Can Shine

 

 

Hi! My name is Lillian, but most people call me Lilli. Autism Explorers was born out of a very personal journey—one that started when my own siblings were diagnosed with autism. Their diagnoses sparked a deep passion in me to understand and support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

 

I began by earning qualifications in Understanding Autism, Understanding Behaviour That Challenges, and Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences at Level 2. I then took things further, completing a Level 3 TA course while working as a teaching assistant at The Wherry School, a specialist autism school where I’ve had the privilege of gaining almost two years of hands-on experience.

 

The idea for Autism Explorers actually came to me during a Bucket Time session—one of those moments where everything just clicks. I realised how hard it is for families of SEN children to access extracurricular activities that are actually tailored to their children’s needs. And then I thought, why isn’t this the extracurricular activity?

 

So I got to work. I contacted the council, found a welcoming venue, and connected with some fantastic volunteers who shared the same vision. And just like that, Autism Explorers began to take shape.

 

 

 

 

A Brilliant Beginning

 

 

On April 19th, we officially opened our doors—and what a successful launch it was! Our first themed stay-and-play sessions welcomed SEN families into a safe, sensory-informed space where children could explore activities that build fine and gross motor skills, speech and language, imagination, and attention and concentration—all through fun and engaging play.

 

Each session is thoughtfully themed to keep children curious and excited to return. We incorporate evidence-based strategies like Bucket Time, along with sensory trays, turn-taking games, and creative movement activities, so children are supported across all developmental areas.

 

 

 

 

Collaborating for Bigger Impact

 

 

We’re also proud to be developing exciting STEMEX collaborations, where children can explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) in playful, hands-on ways that work for their learning styles. These collaborations are helping us bridge gaps in access to enriching, future-facing activities for children who are often excluded from traditional models of learning.

 

 

 

 

What’s Next for Autism Explorers?

 

 

Looking ahead, we’re planning specialised trips and seasonal events for our Autism Explorers community. These will include carefully chosen venues with quiet spaces, visual supports, and trained volunteers so families can relax and enjoy shared experiences together—without the usual stress and overstimulation.

 

Autism Explorers is here to nurture children’s skills and interests, support their communication, and most importantly—create a community where every child is celebrated and welcomed just as they are.