SLP 312: Teacher Assistants Neurodiverse Support Strategies - Practical Tools for Helping Every Student Thrive

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Executive Functioning: Skills needed to complete tasks successfully. ✅ Eight Skills: Self-monitoring, planning, flexibility, organization, emotions, impulses, initiation, memory. ✅ Autistic Inertia: Difficulty starting tasks due to overwhelm or anxiety. ✅ Teachable Skills: Executive functioning improves with practice and support. ✅ Visual Supports: Time timers and written instructions help students focus. ✅ Environmental Changes: Modify classroom structure rather than changing the child. ✅ Brain Breaks: Movement, music, or snacks can jumpstart task initiation. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-function-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Timing: Start secondary transition planning in year five. ✅ Visits: Visit schools with students present, not empty. ✅ Sensory: Address smells, sounds, and movement in secondary. ✅ Language: Teach "I'm unsure" instead of "help me." ✅ Tools: Use videos, maps, and timetable practice. ✅ Social: Consider peer connections over academic rankings. ✅ Maturity: Avoid childish items like decorated lunchboxes. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/secondary-school-transition-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Teacher Assistants: Provide crucial one-on-one support for students. ✅ Independence: Encourage students to work toward self-reliance daily. ✅ Coping Strategies: Teach calm breathing and simple choice-based actions. ✅ Hidden Rules: Explain classroom routines and unspoken expectations clearly. ✅ Timing Support: Schedule assistance when students are most engaged. ✅ Flexibility: Encourage resilience, mistakes, and trying again without fear. ✅ Avoid Helplessness: Let students attempt tasks before offering direct help. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teacher-assistant-neurodiverse-support-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ TA Relationships: Consistent bonds aid autistic students without unhealthy dependency. ✅ Role Clarity: Teachers lead instruction; TAs support, not replace teachers. ✅ Predictability: Consistent TA assignments reduce anxiety and improve classroom stability. ✅ Collaboration: Teachers and TAs coordinate, leaving egos at the door. ✅ Behavior Communication: Behavior expresses needs when communication is limited. ✅ Generalization: Teach skills across contexts to prevent rigid, situation-bound learning. ✅ Student Agency: Let students choose support methods and TA use in secondary. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teacher-assistant-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Don't wait for readiness signs when toilet training. ✅ Use visuals to support children with communication difficulties. ✅ Find perfect calm moments to teach new skills. ✅ Make learning fun and engaging for better outcomes. ✅ Create communication-rich environments with picture exchange systems. ✅ Provide sensory breaks to help children self-regulate. ✅ Start toilet training on actual toilet, avoid potties. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/visual-strategies-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Focus on two goals at a time for clarity. ✅ Prioritize teaching pointing and asking for help first. ✅ Skills must transfer across all environments consistently. ✅ Use visuals and signs for consistent communication. ✅ Collaborate with OT, speech, and psychology professionals. ✅ Model and prompt desired behaviors in daily routines. ✅ Share progress and strategies with all caregivers regularly. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teaching-pointing-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Multiple Medication Trials Common: Most families tried 2-3 different medications. ✅ Side Effects Vary Greatly: Same medication affects each child differently. ✅ Team Approach Critical: Teachers, parents, and doctors must collaborate together. ✅ Document Changes Carefully: Keep medication diary to track subtle improvements. ✅ Parents Often Disagree Initially: Couples need strategies for medication decisions. ✅ Non-Stimulant Options Available: Alternatives exist beyond traditional Ritalin for ADHD. ✅ Sleep Issues Improve: Many children sleeping better with right medication. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/medication-for-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ PDA is autism with extreme anxiety around demands. ✅ Build trust through authentic, equal relationships with students. ✅ Offer real choices to provide autonomy and control. ✅ Share interests without hijacking them for forced learning. ✅ Model emotions openly to normalize feelings and responses. ✅ Use humor and creative approaches to reduce demands. ✅ Fresh starts daily: never carry sanctions to tomorrow. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/pda-classroom-strategies-podcast Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Traditional rewards and consequences often don't work effectively. ✅ Anxiety management is the key to reducing behaviors. ✅ Give children control and choices to lower demands. ✅ Pick your battles and be realistic with expectations. ✅ Watch for warning signs like tone changes or laughter. ✅ Use indirect praise rather than direct compliments. ✅ Start each day fresh for yourself and child. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/what-is-odd-and-pda Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Visual supports provide permanent prompts for processing information slowly. ✅ Toilet training requires breaking into smaller achievable mini goals. ✅ Routine changes are extremely challenging for neurodiverse children. ✅ Constipation and stool withholding create significant behavioral challenges. ✅ Social scripts help introduce toileting concepts gently. ✅ Modeling toileting routines reduces fear and builds understanding. ✅ Multiple strategies needed - one approach rarely works. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/toilet-training-for-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au