SLP 335: How to Have the Hard Conversation: 8 Steps for Educators Starting the Diagnosis Conversation

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: ✅ Choice-Making Complexity: requires problem-solving and understanding consequences. ✅ Anxiety-Problem Solving Link: higher anxiety lowers ability. ✅ Autism Strategies: offer two real choices always. ✅ PDA Approach: provide autonomy through indirect language. ✅ ADHD Support: time limits and visuals prevent overload. ✅ ODD Management: stay calm; avoid power struggle traps. ✅ Educational Outcome: define your goal before offering choices. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/choice-making-neurodiversity-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: ✅ Executive Functioning: Brain's admin team managing planning, organizing, deadlines, emotions. ✅ Autistic Inertia: Difficulty shifting gears from rest to action or stopping. ✅ Environment Over Child: Modify structure, not the child—autism plus environment equals outcome. ✅ Neurological vs Behavioral: Executive functioning issues are can't-do, not lazy won't-do. ✅ Object Permanence Anxiety: Out-of-sight tasks create persistent worry about completion. ✅ Understanding Changes Adults: Why matters more than what for changing practitioner approach. ✅ Neurotypical Privilege: Neurotypical brains process less information; world designed for them. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-functioning-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: ✅ Executive Functioning: air traffic controller managing stimuli and focus. ✅ Seven Components: emotional control, impulse, planning, organizing, task initiation. ✅ Practice: Executive functioning improves with consistent practice like muscles. ✅ Emotional Control: Children struggle with emotions and negative feedback. ✅ Task Initiation: Five-minute warnings and rewards help start tasks. ✅ Organization: Minimize distractions and keep items in one place. ✅ Working Memory: Break tasks into visual steps with routines. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-functioning-as-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: ✅ Meeting Tone: Be mindful of tone and choose comfortable environments. ✅ Positive Feedback: Always share four positives for every negative. ✅ Collaborative Approach: Work together with parents, don't be adversarial. ✅ Gather Evidence: Keep detailed behavioral notes with dates and examples. ✅ Professional Boundaries: Never diagnose or recommend medication as teacher. ✅ Documentation Trail: Email meeting summaries, next steps, and follow-ups. ✅ Red Flags: Monitor social, emotional, and academic development areas. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/talking-to-parents-diagnosis 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: ✅ Diverse Learners: use multiple strategies for each child's individual needs. ✅ Ultimate Guide: 500+ strategies from early years through adult life. ✅ Meltdown Types: distinguish behavior, sensory, and tantrum for effective plans. ✅ Visual Timers: time timers show children remaining time visually. ✅ Whole-Class Approach: teach social skills with entire class for support. ✅ Girls Underdiagnosed: girls show different traits; need recognition and support. ✅ Metaphor Tools: red beast and similar books help normalize emotions. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-student-support-tools 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: ✅ Behavior Communication: Children communicate needs through challenging behavior. ✅ Environment Over Child: Adjust structures to support children's needs. ✅ Mistake Anxiety: Fear of errors triggers avoidance and perfectionism. ✅ Control Through First: Being first provides predictability and emotional regulation. ✅ Fair Over Equal: Meet individual needs, not identical treatment. ✅ Short Strategy Videos: Forty-nine five-minute videos teach practical behavior responses. ✅ Find The Need: Identify missing support, then provide appropriate accommodations. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-children-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: ✅ Time Blindness: neurodiverse individuals struggle to perceive passing time accurately. ✅ Visual Timers: make time visible and accessible for all students. ✅ Digital Schedules: portable schedules with digital time beat analog clocks. ✅ Task Breakdown: split work into smaller parts to reduce overwhelm. ✅ Warnings: give five-minute warnings before transitions or activity endings. ✅ Routines: work backward from bedtime to plan evening schedule. ✅ Reinforcement: acknowledge when children manage time well and independently. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/visual-timers-neurodiverse-students 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: ✅ Motor Skills: Poor fine and gross motor impacts handwriting ability. ✅ Routines: Establish clear routines from day one to reduce stress. ✅ Timers and Visuals: Use visual supports to manage transitions effectively. ✅ Interception: Many neurodivergent kids miss thirst, hunger, toilet body signals. ✅ IEP Collaboration: Involve teacher assistants, parents, specialists in planning meetings. ✅ Homework Systems: Provide clear workspace, timers, buddy support, movement breaks. ✅ Behavior Strategies: Reference practical strategy books rather than custom materials. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/classroom-setup-neurodiverse-students 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: ✅ Preparation: Give at least two weeks advance warning. ✅ Social Stories: Use pictures and videos of venue. ✅ Optional Activities: Allow kids to skip uncomfortable tasks. ✅ Food Flexibility: Let kids bring preferred meals or drinks. ✅ Sensory Accommodation: Consider seating, noise, temperature, clothing. ✅ Emotional Support: Discuss feelings and regulation strategies. ✅ Peer Mentoring: Have older kids share their experiences. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/school-camp-neurodiverse-students-preparation 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: ✅ Emotional Literacy: Children learn language to understand feelings. ✅ Magical Metaphor: Book uses magic powers for engagement. ✅ Feelings Town: Story setting with different emotional stops. ✅ Stop Sign Strategy: Key tool for emotional regulation. ✅ Choice and Control: Children personalize their regulation approaches. ✅ Whole-Class Participation: Everyone creates stop signs together. ✅ Adult Modeling: Adults show their own emotional regulation. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teaching-children-self-regulation 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