Sue Larkey Blog

How to Create Independence for students on the Autism Spectrum using 3 Key Ingredients  Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Time is the Number one Accommodation and Adjustment every classroom needs to puts in place ✅ 4 Types of Schedules  ✅ Why you need a range of Schedules ✅ Why knowing how long is so important ✅ Range of Visuals to Use ✅ Timer + Visual + Schedule = Independence3 Key Ingredients - Timer + Visual + Schedule = INdependenceTIMERS1. Tell the child HOW long and WHEN they are going to have to do an activity. 2. Timers allow us to pre-warn: It answer many of the questions these children have: What is happening?, What order?, What time?, What is next?, How long?   Schedules/To Do Lists/Routines are a vital tool for children with an ASDMany children have difficulties accepting change and transition from one thing to another – a schedule helps them see and understand what is going to happen next. Schedules also help people to organise themselves and to plan ahead.   Ideas to...

From Learning to Communicate  to Learning to Drive: Mum with Twins shares Her Autism Experiences  Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Interview Joanne Copeland ✅ Why she had written book “Footsteps of Two” ✅ Joanne shares how she hadn’t even heard of the word Autism when diagnosed ✅ Importance of focusing on one thing at a time & do not worry how long it takes to achieve you will get there. ✅ How finding Autistic Mentor for her daughter helped her understand many of her daughters challenges and how to support her ✅ Supporting her with Twins finding Post School options  Why did you write the book?Basically, I had a lot of information within me I wanted to share with other people, the experience and knowledge I had gained from 18 years of assisting my twins with Autism to ‘find their road’ and to believe.  I felt a had a story that needed to be heard. A story that would help others, not just those who know someone with Autism, but also for anyone who may suddenly find their life...

TOp TIps FOr BUSY AND COMPLEX CLASSROOMs Webinar replayMy Live Virtual Webinar last week was a success! But it's not too late if you missed it - sign up HERE to watch the Replay of the hour of power! FREE sign up includes:  E-book  Webinar Replay  Handout What Will You Learn in the Webinar?✅ Key Limitations in Inclusive Classrooms & How to Address ✅ Theory of Mind & Impact in your classroom ✅ 3 Essential Requirements for Success in Busy Classrooms ✅ Tips to Promoting Understanding in your class ✅ What is Neurodiversity & How does that look for your students? ✅ Smart Goals and Why Important ✅ 11 Top Tips to Keep Neurodiverse Students on Task in Busy & Complex classroomsWhat WERE PARTICiPaNTS NUMBER 1 TAKEAWAYS?📌 Remembering students can learn by watching peers.  😀 I need to use more repetition. Make sure I set up for success and use preventative breaks.   ✅ Simplify my tasks and expectations in a session. Make sure student achieves task or section completion 📌 Back...

Understanding Procrastination with ADHD with Expert Simon Da Roza  Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Procrastination is actually an engagement issue ✅ Iceberg - We see procrastination but what is happening below the surface? ✅ Impact on Executive Functioning ✅ Homework challenges ✅ Using technology to support writing activities ✅ Does Sue have a procrastination issue or choice paralysis?Executive functioning What is it and why does it matter? Click to test your own executive functioning! Listen to my previous podcast for more information about Executive FunctioningI have included Seven Super Strategies & a BONUS five more to help with this challenge1. Finding it hard to know where to start the activity: This is particularly common in written tasks e.g. "Write what you did on the weekend" is too broad a task. Give more specific parameters such as "What did you do on Saturday morning?" In Secondary it may be to choose a chronic disease to research and you may need to give them a...

A Lived Experience - Robyn StewarD Shares The Importance of Challenging Autistic Children To Improve Critical Thinking and Problem Solving  This week I have interviewed Robyn Steward, an autistic author, who has written one of my favourite puberty books ever “The Autism Friendly Guide to Periods”.   Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Ways to Support Critical Thinking ✅ The steps Robyn took to challenge herself: riding an e-bike to visit her parents in the countryside ✅ Why she sometimes repeats questions and what you can do to support ✅ Why learning to ask questions is an important skill ✅ How Robyn has found friends who support her taking on new challenges i.e. going to AmericaRobyn’s 6 Key Pieces of Advice 1. Taking risks is vital 2. Develop a wide network of people your child can seek advice from (including people you might not agree with)  3. Support the development of decision making skills 4. You always need to be challenging yourself and practising flexible thinking...

Mum Shares Her Journey of  Toilet Training Twins with Autism   Discussed in this Episode: ✅ What made the biggest difference (link to my book) ✅ What advice she would give other parents ✅ Why it was so important to get her twins out of nappies ✅ How different the twins were in what worked ✅ Importance of preschool and friends in helping with toileting10 TOp TIps For Toileting 1. Avoid potties! Start out with the end in mind. Children with autism have trouble generalising and the last thing you want is to have to carry their pottie around with you everywhere you go!   2. Visuals are very important. Make up some visuals to help the child understand the toileting process and to provide a prompt.   3. Prepare lots of FUN activities to do with the child. Making going to the toilet fun takes the pressure off and makes it a motivating place to go.   4. Rewards are one of the most important elements of toilet training – children need a motivator as it is just too easy...

How to Share A DIAGNOSIs WITH AN  Autistic Child, PEERS & Siblings   Guest Anna Tullemans shares her lived experience as a parent about discussing diagnosis (Part 2) Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Why do I need to tell my child? Why do they need to know? ✅ Where to start ✅ Steps for sharing diagnosis ✅ Why you shouldn’t hide your child’s diagnosis from them ✅ Why share with their peers and siblings ✅ 8 Ways to be a friend to someone with ASD - Poster to download and put in playground ✅ FREE Book by Anna Tullemans, ‘Disclosing Diagnosis’ with first 100 orders of books she has Authored (Value $25)4 Steps to Discussing the Diagnosis with a Child1. Assess what the child already knows and is ready to hear. 2. Express the news at the right level, i.e. explain ASD in terms your child can understand (See page 76-78 of Disclosing the Diagnosis for ideas). 3. Be positive. Choose a time when you are both feeling good and talk about strengths and challenges. 4. Tailor your explanation...

Sharing Diagnosis with Family & Friends Who, Why & How   Discussed in this Episode: ✅ What worked and didn’t work ✅ Who needs to know about the diagnosis ✅ Why people need to know ✅ How much should I share? ✅ Top Tips for Disclosing Diagnosis ✅ Why you shouldn’t hide your child’s diagnosis from them ✅ FREE Book by Anna Tullemans, ‘Disclosing Diagnosis’ with first 100 orders of books she has Authored (Value $25)  Talking to family and friends about a diagnosis can be a bit daunting, I am hoping this podcast with Anna Tullemans will prepare you with information and understanding to make the task easier.Top Tips from The Interview with Anna 1. Before passing on information, cross out anything that is not relevant to your child and explain the points that are relevant to them and how people can adjust, accommodate and support.  2. Once family and friends have understood the needs of your child they will begin to change their approach. 3. It is important to constantly...

Masking & Veneer of Coping  What is it? & What to do?  Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Why I call masking, ‘a veneer of coping,’ and what to do! ✅ What is Masking? ✅ What you see. ✅ What you can do. ✅ Why it can cause burn out for families and their autistic child. ✅ Masking versus Copying. ✅ Do your children/students struggle with after-school meltdowns/shutdowns? ✅ Do they hold it together at school but when they get home they fall apart? Click Here to Join My Facebook GroupWhat is Masking?Masking is when a person on the autism spectrum mimics and uses social scripts learnt from others, in order to fit in and suppress their autistic tendencies. The goal is often to appear ‘neurotypical’ as they want to fit in. On the outside the student may appear… 1. Well behaved 2. Hard Working 3. Eager to Please 4. Perfectionism   But on the inside the student may feel… 1. Anxiety 2. Stomach Aches 3. Excessive Worry 4. ExhaustionPossible Causes of a Meltdown/Shutdown - Keeping it...

Open Plan Classrooms not working? Classroom Teacher Shares her Top Tips   Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Special Guest: Di Rickard Primary school teacher and a play therapist ✅ Inspired by question in Facebook Community ✅ How to support children on the spectrum in the early years in open plan, double teaching classrooms? ✅ See the blog for amazing suggestions from facebook community Click Here to Join My Facebook Group This PODCAST WAS INSPired by this facebook Message:How to Help Make Transitions Less Overwhelming Suggestions from Facebook Community in comments below:   1. Enter via Art Room or quieter area   2. Transition before everyone else : Slower, Calmer, Less Noise   3. Heavy Work   4. Take child into room without anyone one in there to give them time to process environment    Giving them a safe space to run toSuggestions from Facebook Community in comments below:   1. Break times   2. Break Cards (Listen to Podcast or Read Blog Ep 59)    3....

How to Use 10 types Of Accomodations adjustments NCCD - What is it and Why is it important   Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Adjustments & Accommodations ✅ Practical Strategies & Ideas how to implement Accommodations & Adjustments ✅ NCCD - What is it and why it is important ✅ DSE (2005) Read along if you have my new MEGA Book page 12 10 Types of Adjustments/Accomodations 1. Adjust Adapt the skill level, problem type, or the rules on how the learner approach the work.   2. Alternate Adapt the goals or outcome while using the same activities/materials/assessment task.   3. Curriculum Provide different instruction and materials to meet a students individual goals.   4. Time Adapt the time allotted and allowed for learning, task completion or testing   5. Size Adapt the Number of items that the learner is expected to learn or complete   6. Participation Adapt the extent to which a learner is actively involved in the task   7. Setting Adjust...

Using Smart Goals & IEP = To IMprove Outcomes Using SMART Goals and IEP to improve outcomes is an important skill for all educators working with children with autism spectrum disorder. Discussed in this Episode: ✅ How to apply from Early Years to Post School Options ✅  IEPs. (Individualised Education Plan)  ✅ SMART Goals ✅  Planning Read along if you have my new MEGA Book pages 88-91 Step 1: Update  on ProgressThis should include: Academic strategies and progress Communication strategies and progress Physical health and needs Independence skills, including building capacity to study and self-care independently Social skills and peer connections General emotional well being Self-regulation and behaviour skills Time and frequency of support staff or services Step 2 : SMART GoalsThe most important part of any IEP is arguably the list of goals the student it aiming to achieve. This can be the hardest part for parents and teachers to craft effectively. As a general guide, IEP goals...