Sue Larkey Blog

Celebrating Diversity in The Classroom  With The Gift of Understanding autism classroom inclusion strategiesDiscussed in this Episode: ✅  "We May All Be Different Fish" Display: Have every child make a fish and decorate it with their holiday traditions, foods, music, stories, religious activities, and celebration dates. Display with the phrase "We may all be different fish, but in this school we swim together." (see example below!) ✅ Holiday Calendar Activity: Print out calendars for December, January, and February. Have students mark important dates for their families (Christmas Eve, Epiphany, Chinese New Year, etc.) and learn about different cultural celebrations and their significance. ✅ Taking the Classroom Outside: For students with sensory overwhelm who need to sit outside, bring the other children to that child rather than forcing them into the classroom -a creative approach to true inclusion. ✅ Photographer Role Assignment: Give students who find concerts overwhelming a...

Using the Red Beasts to Help Recognise and Regulate Emotions Free Downloadable Activities Emotional Regulation for Neurodiverse StudentsManaging Children's Anger and Developing Emotional LiteracyUnderstanding Children's Anger Check out some great free activities to use with children below. Anger can manifest in different ways for children. Some children may react aggressively or shut down when angry. It's important to educate children on managing their own anger. Children need emotional regulation skills to fully engage and participate positively in the classroom. Recognizing Your Own Emotions Adults need to tune into their own emotions and share these openly with children. This modeling helps children understand emotions and that it's normal to experience anger, anxiety, and more. Take time to write down your own emotions throughout the day to build self-awareness. Sharing Emotions with Children Verbally share your emotions with children to normalize feelings for them. Explain...

Essential Cheat Sheets for Supporting Students moving between Year Levels Student Transition Cheat Sheets  Transitioning children with neurodiversity successfully is an important part of a child's education. Transitioning children with neurodiversity successfully is an important part of a child's education. With the right strategies for teachers and parents, children can transition from one school to another, or from preschool to school, with ease. Parents, teachers, and aides can work together to create a successful transition plan, using transition cheat sheets, self advocacy, and calming strategies. Knowing 10 things about the child, as well as any sensory issues, can help teachers create a supportive environment for the child. Here are five tips for teachers to help children transition successfully: 1. Create a transition plan with the help of parents, teachers, and aides - I’ve created one for you (see below)2. Print and Distribute to All Stakeholders: Print out the...

Preparing Neurodiverse students for 2026 Sue Discusses Free Ebook with strategies for all ages and stage neurodiverse student transition tipsDiscussed in this Episode: ✅ Video the school environment - Use a phone or iPad to record the teacher saying hello, the office staff, locker areas, drop-off zones, and school spaces WITH students present (not empty) so children can see and hear the actual environment they'll experience. ✅ Create a visual school map - Develop a physical map showing toilets, library, bag hanging areas, lockers, and equipment schedule (e.g., "allowed on equipment Monday, Wednesday, Thursday") for visual learners to process information. ✅ Practice lunchbox opening NOW - Purchase the lunchbox before December (better selection in November), and have children practice unzipping it and opening all containers including tiny teddies, chip packets, and drink bottles. ✅ Keep the same teacher assistant for continuity - In schools with high staff turnover where teacher...

 Understanding AuDHD Girls: Camouflage /Masking, Burnout and Perfectionism 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: ✅ Eliminate captain's pick in PE - Post team assignments on a whiteboard before class to reduce social anxiety for all students, not just those with diagnoses....

What is AuDHD & RSD? With Expert Laura Kerbey AuDHD Classroom Strategies Teachers  Discussed in this Podcast: ✅ Two-student demonstration technique: Have two children demonstrate tasks first (getting books, lining up) before asking the AuDHD student - provides visual guidance without direct demands. ✅ Flexible scheduling approach: Recognize AuDHD students need structure some days and spontaneity others - check in daily about their needs rather than rigid expectations. ✅ "Take the thought to court" strategy: When students experience RSD, ask "Where is the evidence?" to challenge negative assumptions about others' thoughts. ✅ Alternative perspective questioning: Ask "What else could the teacher have been thinking?" or "Who else could they have been looking at?" to combat RSD interpretations. ✅ Parent collaboration on expectations: Meet with parents at year's start to set realistic grade expectations (60% English, 80% History) to reduce perfectionism pressure. ✅...

Create Your Classroom Calm Corner: What actually Works When Setting Up Effective Break Spaces Sensory Break Space Strategies  ************************************** Join me for an upcoming Workshop: Sue Larkey Workshops Can't make these Workshop dates? Join me for a self-paced on-demand course: Sue Larkey On-Demand Workshops ************************************** This Weeks Podcast was Created after a Question from Trish: "I am currently in the middle of setting up a calm corner/area within my senior preschool room (4-5years) my kids understand that this area is to be used when they are feeling overwhelmed or just need a little break away. Would love for ideas on what I can add to this area" Discussed in this Podcast: ✅ The "Walk Don't Talk" strategy: Take dysregulated students for a fast-paced walk without asking questions or talking, allowing them to regulate without verbal pressure during survival mode. ✅ Token system for breaks: Give students physical tokens they can...

Practical Strategies for Executive Functioning Skills: Dean Beadle shares his Lived Experience Autistic Inertia Teaching Methods  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 tomorrow, may be nigh on...

  Breaking Through Autistic Inertia & ADHD Paralysis: The Executive Functioning Skills Students Need to Succeed executive function classroom strategies  This Weeks Podcast...Understanding Executive Function Challenges in the ClassroomActionable Examples from the Podcast ✅ The Five-Minute Start Strategy - Set a timer for just five minutes and have students begin with the easiest part of the task. Once completed, they can choose to continue or take a break. ✅ Traffic Light Task System - Organise assignments using green (easy), yellow (medium), and red (difficult) coding. Students always start with green tasks to build momentum. ✅ Dopamine Boosters Before Work - Allow students to listen to gaming music, have a healthy snack, or share two fun facts about their special interest before starting tasks. ✅ Multi-Step Instruction Breakdown - Provide visual step-by-step instructions instead of verbal multi-step directions. Print or display each step clearly. ✅ Equipment Management...

Getting Your Neurodiverse Student Ready for Secondary SchoolYour Transition Guide Secondary School Transition StrategiesDiscussed in this Podcast: ✅  Start transition planning early, ideally in Year 5 ✅  Focus on the physical environment and sensory needs ✅  Develop social skills and strategies for peer interactions  ✅  Empower students to problem-solve and self-advocate ✅  Consider the whole student experience, not just academics ✅  Adapt supports to be age-appropriate for teenagers And so much more!1. Must doThese are the MUST DO for Transition to Secondary School: Visit the school and walk around the buildings (video this to play back at home, completed by the student or parent) Locate the office where you go for assistance (important to use positive language e.g. when unsure someone will be able to assist) Speak with the year Co-ordinator for Year 7 about the daily routine and timetable cycle Obtain a map of the school layout with building names and numbers Obtain examples of...

Teacher Assistants Practical Tools for Helping Every Student Thrive Teacher Assistant Neurodiverse SupportDiscussed in this Podcast: ✅   Traffic Light Cup System: Use red, orange, and green plastic cups on desks - green means "I'm working well," orange/yellow means "I need help but can keep working," red means "I'm stopped and can't continue." ✅   Red Pen Signal for Secondary: In secondary school, place a red pen at the front of the desk to signal need for help without raising hands and drawing attention. ✅   See Two, Then See Me: Teach students to ask two peers for help before coming to the teacher assistant, building peer connections and independence. ✅   Timer for Wait Times: Tell students "I'll be there in five minutes," set a timer, and honor that commitment to reduce anxiety about waiting. ✅   Highlighter Differentiation: Use green highlighter for tasks to do first, red for tasks to skip, and orange for tasks to attempt - starting with green builds confidence. ✅   Number...

Teacher Assistants Top Tips for Navigating Challenges and Building Connections Insights from Dream Team (Lived Experience, Teacher, Teacher Assistant & Parent) Learn Teacher Assistant Classroom Strategies  Teacher Assistant Success Strategies Discussed in this Episode: ✅   Signal System for Secondary Students: Dean's TA would sit at the back of the room with a signal system where he'd scratch his head or tap, and she would come check on him, but would stop at other kids on the way, making support less obvious. ✅   Facilitating Peer Connections: When a child asked the TA how to do a math equation, she would say "Dean knows how to do it. Dean will show you", creating positive social connections between students. ✅   Building Visual Context: Dean taught a student to tie shoelaces on green carpet in the classroom, but the student couldn't do it at home on tiles - teach skills in multiple settings. ✅   Red Pen Signal: Put a red pen out on the table as a signal for when help is...