Discussed in this Podcast:

✅ Talking about my brand new course All about classroom behaviours and the strategies to try.

✅  Give the Spelling List Early: Instead of making a child wait until Monday’s pre-test, give them the spelling list on Friday. This allows anxious children to learn the words over the weekend and arrive feeling prepared rather than panicked. The goal is that the child learns the words — the timing doesn’t matter.

✅  Replace Crosses with “O” for Opportunity: Instead of marking errors with a cross (X), use an “O” for Opportunity — an opportunity to fix it up, look it up, or ask someone else. This reframes mistakes as a learning step rather than a failure.

✅  Photocopy Extra Worksheets: For children who become distressed when they make mistakes, have extra copies of worksheets ready. If a child makes an error and wants to start fresh, simply hand them a new one. The repetition actually reinforces learning, and it avoids a power struggle.

✅  Fold the Worksheet in Half: When a full worksheet looks overwhelming, fold it so the child only sees the top half first. This reduces visual overload and makes the task feel more manageable.

✅  Use Graduated Social Scripts for Lining Up: Write a social script with incremental steps: “In Week 1, you’ll be 5th in line. In Week 2, you’ll be 8th. In Week 5, you’ll be first.” Giving the child a specific number makes it predictable and gives them a counting job to focus on.

✅  Stop Rewarding “Being First”: Instead of saying “Well done, you were first!”, reward the action: “Well done, you’re lined up” or “Well done, you’re on the mat.” Neurodiverse children can internalise “first = good” and become distressed when they can’t be first.

✅  Show Work at the Child’s Level, Not Perfect Work: Don’t display only perfect examples. Show work that reflects the child’s ability level. For left-handed children, show left-handed handwriting samples because their writing naturally looks different.

✅  Teach Neurotypical Children to Include Neurodiverse Peers: Rather than only asking the neurodiverse child to adapt, teach neurotypical children to understand and include them. Research shows children are remarkably capable of understanding — we don’t give them enough credit.

✅  Ask “What Is This Behaviour Telling Me?” Instead of “How Do I Stop This?”: Shift from a fix-the-child mindset to a support-the-child mindset. Ask: What is this behaviour communicating? What support is missing? This is easier on the educator too, because you’re no longer trying to fix something — you’re trying to understand it.

• Behaviour is Communication Cheat Sheets

A visual guide showing what common classroom behaviours might be trying to say

• Quick Reference Guide

Decode behaviours like refusal, shutting down, meltdowns, and perfectionism

• Practical Classroom Aid

Perfect for teachers, teacher assistants, parents, and carers supporting neurodiverse children

Print out the Cheat Sheets and display them in your staffroom as a daily reminder that behaviour is communication!

The course provides the depth – the explanations, demonstrations, and context behind each strategy.

While this book can be used on its own, it is designed first and foremost as a companion to the course and is at its most valuable when used alongside it.

Inside You’ll Find:

✅ All tip sheets, one document
✅ 120+ pages
✅ Course companion
✅ Quick-reference format
✅ Save, print, or download
✅ For all classroom staff
✅ Instant access