Loving Pieces Books
Navigating Autism Together Through Social Emotional Learning
Everything we wished we had when we started.
No hunting through Pinterest. No generic advice. Just the resources our family actually uses, organized so you can find what you need when you need it most. Free forever.
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The Back-to-School Toolkit
The Back-to-School Toolkit
Planning a Smooth Start to the School Year
The new school year does not have to feel like a crisis. With the right preparation it can feel like something your child is actually ready for.
Who this is for: If your child gets anxious before the school year starts, struggles with new teachers, new classrooms, or new routines, this toolkit is for you. Whether you are a parent preparing at home, a therapist working on transitions, or a teacher wanting to understand what your autistic students need before they walk through the door, this resource gives you practical tools that actually help.
What is included:
A visual countdown calendar to help your child see the school year approaching in a way that feels manageable instead of overwhelming A meet your teacher preparation guide with conversation starters and questions to help your child feel familiar with their new teacher before the first day A sensory checklist for getting school clothes, supplies, and the environment ready in a way that works for your child A morning routine visual schedule your child can follow independently to reduce anxiety before school A back-to-school letter template for parents to share with teachers so they understand your child from day one Breathing and calming exercises your child can use when the nerves kick in.
Perfect for: Back-to-school season · Ages 4 to 14 · Parents · Teachers · Therapists
The Ultimate Autism-Friendly Party Planner
Party Planner: Hosting & Attending
Parties should be joyful. For autistic kids they can also feel chaotic, unpredictable, and overwhelming. This planner helps you change that.
Who it’s for:
If your child feels anxious about parties, needs help preparing for social events, or gets overwhelmed by celebrations, this is for you. These tools help your child prepare emotionally and help you create a supportive and joyful experience for everyone.
What’s included:
- My Party Plan worksheets to help your child visualize and prepare ahead of time, including who will be there, where it will happen, and what to expect
- Party Feelings Thermometer & Calming Choices Chart so your child can identify emotions and choose soothing strategies when celebrations feel overwhelming
- The Birthday Candle Breath, a simple kid-friendly breathing exercise to practice together before and during the party
- Pre-Party Prep Checklist for parents with practical steps to reduce anxiety and help everyone feel ready
- Host letter templates to gently communicate your child’s needs and help create a more inclusive party environment
- Conversation starters & “How You Can Help Me” cards to give your child social scripts and support for interacting with others
- Inclusive hosting tips for when you are the host, with ideas for creating a welcoming space for all children
Perfect for: Ages 3-18 · Parents · Caregivers · Party Hosts
My Invisible Backpack Activity Toolkit
Understanding Emotions & Masking
Your child is carrying more than you can see. This toolkit helps them set some of it down and sort through it together.
Who it’s for:
If your child masks who they really are to fit in, carries heavy feelings they can’t name, or struggles to understand their big emotions, this toolkit is for you. These activities help children navigate emotions, reduce masking stress, and celebrate their authentic identity, one activity at a time.
What’s included:
- Emotion visualization activities to help your child build and fill their own invisible backpack with colorful emotion pieces they can see, touch, and name
- “Mask Me vs Real Me” creative exercises with with guided drawing activities to explore when they mask, who makes them feel safe to unmask, and what it feels like to just be themselves
- Therapy reframing tools hat transform therapy from something confusing into their own special activity, a safe space with safe people where they can lighten their backpack and share freely
- “Let’s Learn to Recognize Emotions” guide with visual tools and activities designed by therapist Clara Sánchez to help autistic children identify and name complex emotions
- Infinity breathing practice, a calming technique they can use anywhere by tracing an infinity loop while breathing deeply
Perfect for: Ages 6–12 · Parents · Therapists · Educators · 5 Printable Workbooks (109 pages)
Free Confidence-Boosting Workbook for Autistic Kids
Building Confidence & Self-Esteem
Your child is already brilliant, worthy, and enough. This workbook helps them start believing it too.
Who it’s for:
If your child struggles with self-doubt, social confidence, or embracing their unique way of being, this workbook is for you. Designed for parents who want to nurture self-esteem, celebrate neurodivergent strengths, and give their child real tools to lean on. These activities will help them build a stronger, more grounded sense of who they are.
What’s included:
Strength-spotting activities activities to help your child recognize and name what makes them uniquely themselves
Daily affirmations with kid-friendly examples like I am autistic and I am amazing
Social confidence builders builders including role-play scenarios for tricky interactions
Calm-down tools designed with neurodivergent sensory needs in mind
Printable “I AM” affirmation cards to celebrate your child’s identity every single day
Perfect for: Ages 6–12 · Parents · Therapists · Educators · 1 Printable Workbook (47 pages)
Meltdowns & Autism: A Parent’s Guide to Calming the Chaos
Understanding & Managing Meltdowns
You are not failing. You just need a better map. This guide gives you one.
Who it’s for:
If your child experiences frequent meltdowns at home, at school, or in public and you feel lost on how to help, this guide is for you. It is designed for parents who want to understand the real difference between tantrums and meltdowns, learn what triggers them, and build strategies to move through them with more calm. If you have ever felt helpless when your child is overwhelmed, this guide gives you a clearer path forward.
What’s included:
- Why meltdowns happen and how they are genuinely different from tantrums
- Identifying your child’s unique triggers, whether sensory, emotional, or environmental
- Step-by-step meltdown management strategies to move through meltdowns with more calm at home and in public
- Co-regulation techniques to help your child feel safe and supported in the moment
- A printable calming toolkit checklist with practical sensory tools
Perfect for: Parents · Caregivers · Educators · 1 Printable Workbook
Early Signs of Autism: A Parent’s Guide
Recognizing Early Autism Signs
Something feels different. You are not sure what. You do not want to overreact but you cannot stop wondering. This guide is for that moment.
Who is this for:
This guide is for parents who suspect their child may be autistic but are not sure what signs to look for. Whether you have noticed speech delays, repetitive behaviors, or challenges with eye contact, this resource, made from our own experience with our two boys being diagnosed at an early age, gives you clear insights to help you understand if an evaluation might be a good next step. Also useful for family members, caregivers, and educators who want to better understand autism in young children.
What’s included:
- A breakdown of early signs by age infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool years
- Real-life examples of what autism might look like in everyday situations
- Common myths & misconceptions that often delay a diagnosis
- A printable checklist to bring to your pediatrician or developmental specialist
Perfect for: Parents, family members, caregivers, and educators
Positive Affirmation Cards for Autistic Kids
Daily Affirmations & Encouragement
16 cards. Simple words. Profound impact. Because “I am autistic and I am amazing” is something every child deserves to believe.
Who it’s for:
This set is for parents who want to nurture a positive self-image in their autistic child. Many autistic kids struggle with self-esteem, especially when they feel different from their peers. These affirmation cards are a simple and genuinely powerful way to remind your child of their strengths and celebrate their unique mind. Whether your child is verbal or nonverbal, these visual affirmations can help reduce anxiety, encourage positive thinking, and build emotional resilience over time.
What’s included:
- 16 beautifully designed printable affirmation cards with empowering, autism-affirming messages
- Simple, child-friendly language that builds self-esteem without feeling forced or preachy
Perfect for:Daily routines, morning prep, bedtime, or anytime your child needs encouragement
Traveling with Autistic Kids: A Practical Guide
Planning Autism-Friendly Travel
You should not have to choose between adventure and your child’s wellbeing. This guide shows you that you do not have to.
Who it’s for:
This guide is for parents who want to travel but feel overwhelmed by the challenges of taking an autistic child on a trip. If you have ever worried about sensory overload in airports, meltdowns in new environments, or managing unexpected changes, this resource will help you feel more prepared and more confident. Whether it is a family road trip, a flight, or a visit to relatives, this guide shares real strategies from an autism family who has actually been there.
What’s included:
- How to choose autism-friendly destinations that work with your child’s sensory needs
- Packing checklists with practical sensory tools and safety items
- Strategies for hard moments in uncontrolled spaces like airplanes, ships, and crowded attractions
- Airport & hotel tips to make travel smoother from the moment you arrive to the moment you check out
- Tips for visiting family members who may not fully understand autism yet
- Printable Travel Checklist to help you stay organized from planning all the way to arrival