SLP 326: Guest Author Kate Swenson shares Choosing Joy Over Fear: One Family's Journey with Nonverbal Autism

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: ✅ Forever Boy: celebrates positive aspects of nonverbal autism diagnosis. ✅ Cooper's Journey: severe autism, happy, social, communicative, thriving life. ✅ Strategy Selection: one strategy works for one in ten. ✅ Breaking Down: big goals require tiny steps over years. ✅ Behavior Tracking: data reveals what child actually communicates. ✅ Consistency: all caregivers must reinforce same communication methods. ✅ Joy and Purpose: The More Than Project supports special-needs moms. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/nonverbal-autism-communication-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: ✅ Relationship Closeness: How close you are determines how much detail needed. ✅ Child-Specific Information: Only share what's relevant to your specific child's diagnosis. ✅ Ongoing Conversation: Disclosure isn't one-time; understanding evolves with child's growth. ✅ Start Positive: Lead with strengths before discussing challenges or differences. ✅ Assess Understanding: Know what people already understand before explaining diagnosis. ✅ Boundary Setting: Teach child strategies to meet family members halfway. ✅ Balance Always: Always pair negative traits with positive qualities shown. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/sharing-autism-diagnosis-family 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: ✅ Toilet Timing: Use set routines, not signals from child. ✅ Interoception Issues: Neurodiverse kids don't feel bladder signals until late. ✅ Remove Nappies: No nappies during day; establishes new routine. ✅ Reward System: Use motivators but gradually fade them over time. ✅ Sensory Awareness: Address bathroom fears like flushing sounds and smells. ✅ Consistent Routines: Set specific times especially morning and bedtime. ✅ Parent Stress: Children mirror parent emotions and stress levels. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/toilet-timing-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 Profile: Children with PDA are creative and amazing with support. ✅ Rejection Sensitivity: RSD affects ninety-eight percent of people with ADHD. ✅ PDA vs ODD: PDA is anxiety-based; ODD is oppositional defiant. ✅ Autonomy Needed: PDA students need structure but also personal autonomy. ✅ Coexisting Diagnoses: ADHD and autism can now be diagnosed together. ✅ Daily Variation: Neurodivergent students present differently based on daily needs. ✅ Genuine Interest: Show authentic interest in special interests without agendas. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-student-support-techniques 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: ✅ Diversity Celebration: highlight cultural traditions through activities and foods. ✅ Fish Display: create classroom poster celebrating differences through symbols. ✅ Calendar Activities: mark important dates from different cultures worldwide. ✅ Autism Awareness: frame neurodiversity as acceptable and value difference. ✅ Cooking Integration: use recipes to teach skills and celebrate culture. ✅ Visual Timers: essential tools for managing transitions and anxiety. ✅ Inclusive Events: provide accommodations for overwhelmed students during gatherings. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/autism-classroom-inclusion-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: ✅ Emotional Literacy: Teaching recognition of emotions, not demanding calmness. ✅ The Red Beast: Picture book metaphor for anger management. ✅ Interoception: Identifying where emotions feel in the body. ✅ Brain Function: Amygdala triggers freeze, flee, fight, fluster responses. ✅ Special Interests: Using children's obsessions for emotional learning. ✅ Facial Recognition: Photos help children recognize emotions in others. ✅ Calming Strategies: Creating individualized plans for emotional regulation. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/emotional-regulation-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: ✅ Transition Cheat Sheets: One concise document shared by all adults. ✅ Five Key Areas: Academic, behavior, communication, social, and general information. ✅ Self-Advocacy Tool: Students introduce themselves through "10 Things About Me." ✅ Individual Strategies: Every child with autism is uniquely different. ✅ Communication Needs: Document how child asks for help and expresses needs. ✅ Calming Strategies: Identify what works before frustration escalates into meltdowns. ✅ Early Preparation: Share information from day one to prevent issues. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/student-transition-cheat-sheets 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: ✅ Stress Level: New school years equal major life changes stress. ✅ Hidden Curriculum: Social nuances hard for neurodiverse children to grasp. ✅ November Start: Begin transition planning early, not end-of-year rush. ✅ Early Notification: Parents need teacher info early for preparation time. ✅ Sensory Overwhelm: Biggest factor comes from sensory environment changes. ✅ Resources Available: Ebooks, cheat sheets, courses support smooth transitions effectively. ✅ All Transitions: Plan for teacher changes and major school moves. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-student-transition-tips 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: ✅ ADHD/Autism Overlap: Most ADHDers also have autism, about 75% overlap. ✅ Girls Masking: Girls camouflage symptoms better, leading to underdiagnosis. ✅ Autistic Burnout: Undiagnosed autistic teens face severe burnout and breakdowns. ✅ Universal Accommodations: Classroom accommodations should universally benefit all students. ✅ Diagnosis Importance: Diagnosis builds self-awareness for different brain functioning. ✅ Confidentiality Matters: Teenagers need clear confidentiality boundaries from teachers. ✅ Library Resources: Make neurodiversity books available in school libraries. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/camouflaging-asd-and-adhd-female-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: ✅ AuDHD Definition: 50-70% of autistic people also have ADHD. ✅ Contradictory Needs: Students want both routine and variety simultaneously. ✅ Sensory Support: Sensory needs often overlooked in ADHD students. ✅ Visual Learning: Visuals and kinesthetic learning crucial for AuDHD. ✅ RSD Definition: Hypersensitivity to negative or perceived negative feedback. ✅ RSD Prevalence: Affects 98-99% of people with ADHD. ✅ Peer Approval: Students prioritize peer acceptance over consequences. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/audhd-classroom-strategies-teachers 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