Sue Larkey Blog

Beyond Consequences: Why Traditional Behaviour Strategies Fall Short Teaching Social Skills for Neurodiverse Students Traditional behaviour strategies (including ignoring, consequences, counting to 3 and timeout) often don't work for children with autism, ADHD, ODD and PDA. These strategies are effective for neurotypical children who are better at regulating their own emotions, however children with special needs are often very literal thinkers and struggle with the mind reading and problem solving that these strategies require. Discussed in this Podcast ✅  Using visual timers for transitions between activities ✅  Creating social scripts with photos/videos of expected behaviors ✅  Implementing token systems with clear, explicit goals ✅  Developing visual schedules showing computer time and next activities ✅  Practicing conversation starters through role-play ✅  Using facial expression displays for emotion recognition ✅  Creating "when to tell" and "not to tell" scenario posters ✅ ...

Behaviour Solutions for the classroom What to look for and what to do Classroom Preparation and Neurodiverse LearnersBehaviour Solutions for Classrooms The best behaviour management strategy isn't about responding to challenges—it's about preventing them through thoughtful classroom setup. This guide shows you exactly how to create an environment that naturally reduces challenging behaviors and supports student success.Classroom Preparation for Different Learning Styles Top 10 Ideas: ✅ The 13 Most Important Strategies ✅  Place a piece of paper under students arms during writing activities to activatecore muscles and improve posture✅  Set up 25-minute work intervals followed by structured movement breaks forregulation✅  Implement visual schedules combined with timers to help students track time andtransitions✅  Schedule regular hydration and bathroom breaks to support interoception needs✅  Create designated quiet spaces for sensory breaks and regulation✅  Use multiple timer types...

Parent - Teacher Partnerships: Transforming ADHD Challenges Together ADHD Challenges and StrategiesADHD Challenges and Strategies - What Parents and Teachers can do Discussed in this Episode: ✅  Using only praise and funny comments when calling out to children, avoiding demands ✅  Employing novel voices to capture children's attention ✅  Creating hand gesture codes for subtle praise and communication ✅  Making "fake" phone calls to praise children indirectly ✅  Focusing on environment modifications before behavioural strategies ✅  Collaborating with children on system development rather than making announcements ✅  Establishing clear communication channels with teachers about needed resources ✅  Using written communication before meetings to allow for regulation ✅  Creating systems for managing mundane life tasks (laundry, meal planning, school notes) ✅  Implementing subtle praise methods for children uncomfortable with direct praiseThis weeks special guestSharon is an award...

From Classroom to Community: Innovative Approaches to Life Skills Education Teaching Life Skills at SchoolDiscussed in This Weeks Podcast: ✅ Implementing bottle recycling programs for ongoing fundraising ✅ Organising community volunteer work with local organizations (Lions Club, Railway Museum) ✅ Creating student-run market stalls for individual business ventures ✅ Setting up pop-up galleries to showcase student artwork and photography ✅ Developing student business cards and marketing materials ✅ Organising social events like gallery openings with grazing platters ✅ Establishing regular volunteering schedules at community venues ✅ Creating pet treat businesses with natural recipes ✅ Making and selling mocktails at community events ✅ Running photography projects that connect with local institutionsCooking can be used as a tool to teach various skills such as reading, comprehension, sequencing, and even math. Sensory Learning: Cooking can help children understand and navigate their...

Making Specialist Teaching Work for all students and staff Secondary and Post School OptionsDiscussed in This Weeks Podcast: ✅   Find Starting Activity: Eg at the Primary School level - Using clay Modeling/Play-Doh activities as an entry point for all students✅   Creating visual PowerPoint slides showing lesson goals and expectations✅   Establishing short, focused mat sessions with clear missions✅  Implementing reward systems that align with classroom teachers' existing systems✅ Taking advantage of playground duty for building student relationships✅ Running extracurricular clubs to connect with students outside class✅ Setting clear visual classroom rules with supporting imagery✅ Offering choice between two activities for struggling students✅  Reinforcing positive behavior explicitly during lessons✅  Investing time in first-term routine establishment  RELATED PRODUCTSON SALENEW EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING TRAINING COURSE Educators Guide to Executive Functioning - Why it Impacts...

ASD Support For Parents and Teachers:  Insights on how to Tailor your Individual Teaching Approach ASD Support for Paretns and TeachersDiscussed in This Weeks Podcast: ✅ Building relationships with teachers for better outcomes ✅ Using children's interests ("currency") to motivate learning ✅ Teaching independent shopping skills through structured trips ✅ Creating personalised recipe book visual instructions ✅ Adapting life skills training for home environments ✅ Including children in major decision like house hunting ✅ Teaching flexible thinking around words like "might" ✅ Being specific in communication and instructions ✅ Building cooking skills starting with favourite foods ✅ Creating structured household management lessons Improve Your Teaching Practice Today!PLUS Free Online WebinarDon't forget this free training Webinar is the first lesson in my Temple Grandin and Sue Larkey Course! Lesson 1: Knowing How and When to Extend Your Students on the Spectrum (Stretching) – 40...

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH pda and ODDCHALLENGES AND INSIGHTS Mother Shares Lived Experience  Discussed in this Episode: ✅  Avoiding triggering words by using alternative language✅  Creating before school transition routines (5-minute basketball/scooter time)✅  Providing food and drink immediately after school for regulation✅  Allowing comfortable clothing adjustments (thongs for after school)✅  Using "loving push" approach without excessive pressure✅  Offering choices while providing clear direction✅  Creating safe spaces from emotional release✅  Making accommodations for sensory challenges (headphones for music class)✅  Using gradual exposure through bathroom visits without pressure✅  Decorating bathroom with special interests (diggers on walls)Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in the Classroom: Understanding and Teacher Strategies for EducatorsUSUALLY $149, NOW $79!(Until 13th January 2025)Download 'Laura Kerbey's 10 top tips for supporting students with pda'“PDAers need...

Autism and toilet training A Mother's Toilet Training Journey Autism and Toilet Training  10 Top Tips From Jacklyn and Her Experience in Toilet Training Creating a special box of bathroom activities 2. Using favourite shows (like Paddington) exclusively for toilet time Tracking progress with ticks and crosses on paper Offering specific rewards (5 M&Ms for wees, Kit Kats for poos) Taking nappies to the toilet to flush contents Starting with morning toilet routines Using special absorbent training pants for outings Maintaining consistency despite setbacks Allowing natural consequences for learning body signals Recognising and adapting to regression during transitions Sue Larkey BooksON SALENEW EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING TRAINING COURSE Educators Guide to Executive Functioning - Why it Impacts Learning and Behaviour & What to Do This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Executive Functioning. Dive into seven comprehensive lessons, starting with an introduction to...

ASD AND ADHD MASKING IN GIRLS: Understanding Girls Who Camouflage their Struggles  with Guest Jane McFadden ASD and ADHD Masking For Girls    Jane McFadden is a former psychologist turned Neuroscientist, Author, and Neurodiversity Specialist. Jane has both lived experience and clinical expertise. After years of battling burnout, stress, and anxiety, she received a life-altering ADHD diagnosis in 2022, which answered many of her questions and ignited her passion to help other women and girls avoid being misdiagnosed and wrongly medicated. While ADHD medication was life-changing, it also unveiled Autistic traits, leading to her being diagnosed as Autistic in 2024. So I am thrilled to have Jane join us to share her knowledge & expertise on identifying camouflaged or internalising Autistic children.  Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Girls often present with perfectionist behaviours and high anxiety ✅ Many show extremely helpful, caring behaviours to avoid playground interactions...

  Autism Neurodiversity Transforming Schools Through Understanding: Book "Out of the Box with authors Madonna King & Rebecca Sparrow Executive Functioning Meaning And Strategies  Autism Neurodiversity Transforming Schools: This podcast explores innovative strategies that not only benefit neurodivergent students but also enrich the learning experience for all. We focus on proactive, straightforward adjustments that prevent challenges before they arise, rather than merely responding to issues after they occur. Our discussions highlight that successful inclusive education does not require sweeping system overhauls; instead, it thrives on thoughtful, intentional modifications that recognize and celebrate diverse ways of learning and existing in the world. It's about cultivating environments where every student can flourish, and where educators feel empowered to integrate these accommodations into their everyday practice.10 Top Things to Try from PodcastStrategies for...

Teacher Aides Strategies for Success - Insights from Dream Team (Lived Experience, Teacher, Teacher Assistant & Parent) Teachers Aide Strategies for SuccessTeacher Assistant Success Strategies Discussed in this Episode: ✅    Be a Translator: Act as a translator between the student and the world around them. ✅    Build Positive Bonds: Encourage healthy relationships and bonds with the student. ✅    Provide Familiarity: Serve as a consistent and familiar presence in the midst of change and unpredictability. ✅    Support, Not Replace: Enhance the work of the teacher, but do not replace their role as the primary instructor. ✅    Collaborate: Work together with the teacher as a team, focusing on the common goal of supporting the student. ✅    Tap into Creativity: Contribute creative ideas and approaches to support the student's learning and engagement. ✅    Facilitate Connections: Help facilitate positive social connections between the student and their peers. ✅    Empower Student...

 Executive Functioning Skills for Neurodiverse students:  “Beyond just try harder” with guest Dean Beadle Executive Functioning Meaning And Strategies  Strategies for Executive FunctioningKey takeaways from this podcast for educators and parents to understand Executive Functioning: ✅ Executive Functioning - "The Brain's Admin Team" it includes planning, organization, emotional regulation,  pre-task preparation and management. ✅ Understanding Autistic Inertia. It includes difficulty shifting between tasks (start/stop). ✅  Understanding Autistic Inertia is not laziness or task avoidance. Learn more from Couse: Educators Guide to Executive Functioning. ✅"Autism plus environment equals outcome" and what you can to do to make environment more supportive (see Top Tips below) ✅  Focus on supporting rather than changing. Educators Guide to Executive Functioning include Exclusive Ebook with 100s of Accomodations & Adjustments to try. Enroll Now ✅  ”What's perfectly doable...