Sue Larkey Blog

10 Essential Tips to Share to Increase Understanding During April Understanding Neurodiversity Tips Subscribe to this podcast via your favourite app Join my newsletter for more awesome information about ASDNeurodiversity is the concept that neurological differences between people should be recognised and respected. Instead of using terms like ’dys - function’ ‘dis- abilities’ & ‘dis-orders’ neurodiversity is an enabling term that takes into account neurological differences. Neurodiversity - is not one size fits all. We are all different and neurodiversity celebrates difference. In this episode we discuss: ✅ April as an Opportunity to Celebrate & Advocate for Neurodiversity ✅ Why I love the term Neurodiversity✅ Why important to ask about people’s personal preferences for “terminology”✅ During April watch and learn from a Movie, or TV Show. ✅ Connect to Neurodiverse people online to celebrate neurodiversity✅ 10 Top Tips to Understand Neurodiversity to share with your...

Everything you need to know about PDA - Insights & Tips from Educator Teaching Strategies for PDA Students************************************** 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 ************************************** Strategies for Teaching PDA StudentsKey takeaways from this podcast for educators and parents/ carers of a child with PDA: ✅ Understand Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): It’s a unique autism type that requires a different approach. ✅ The differences between PDA and ODD. ✅ PDA is often misunderstood - these children want to do well but struggle with demands.  ✅ Build relationships through sharing experiences and following their interests. No hierarchies. ✅ Re-evaluate teaching strategies: Traditional autism strategies may not work for PDA students ✅  Avoid power struggles by giving choices and focusing on natural consequences.  ✅ Help...

Have you heard Time Blindness? Did you know it can cause behaviour in Neurodiverse students and what to do? Managing Time Blindness in Neurodiverse Students  ************************************** 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 ************************************** Supporting Neurodiverse Students with Time Blindness Discussed in this Episode: ✅    What is Time Blindness? ✅    Behaviours you might see to indicate Time Blindness ✅    How to make time accessible and visual ✅    Time management is anxiety management ✅    Unless we give the students the tools to manage time, then you're going to get a lot of anxiety and a lot of behavior. ✅    Routines are what give you a sense of time passing. ✅    The now, next, later. Time plus a schedule is what equals success ✅    We need to make time intentional and visual. ✅    If a child was colourblind, we...

Navigating the Path to Diagnosis: A Step by Step Guide for Educators The Power of Diagnosis  ************************************** 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 **************************************   Discussed in this Podcast: ✅ It’s important to remember that a teacher’s role isn’t to offer suggestions of a diagnosis, it’s to bring things to the parents’ attention.✅ 8 Steps to Talking for Families about pursuing a diagnosis.✅ Red Flags for Diagnosis.✅ Why students should get a diagnosis. Make sure you listen to this Podcast as each step is discussed in detail including mistakes to avoid and the power of diagnosis.  8 Steps to Talking for Families about pursuing a diagnosis1. Check your tone.Tone is everything! The first few sentences and gestures you make are so important to the success of the meeting.2. Say nice things.Start with...

Executive Functioning - The Mini Training With Everything You Need to Know Learn about Improving Executive Functioning Skills Now!  Discussed in this Episode: ✅What is Executive Functioning ✅Why Impaired Executive Functioning Is Impacts on Student’s Learning ✅ 7 Ways to Improve Executive Functioning ✅ Download Fabulous PDF Summary for Executive Functioning Learn more about Improving Executive Functioning Skills!Executive Functioning & Autism/ADHD – What is it? What to do?Executive functioning refers to the part of your brain that organises, prioritises and regulates emotions. However, I prefer to refer to it as the ‘Air Traffic Control,’ as just like air traffic control has to manage thousands of planes on countless runways with perfect timing, students have to manage information and distractions. For in-depth insights see this podcast summary of Executive Function Introduction. Impaired Executive Function can impact significantly on students with autism’s ability to...

Dr Tony Attwood -  Understanding Autism Diagnostic Criteria and Why Girls often Overlooked Understanding Autism Diagnostic Criteria Key Insights for Understanding Autism Diagnostic Criteria: ✅ The diagnostic criteria for ASD are laid out in the DSM-5. It requires persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and restricted/repetitive behaviors. ✅ To meet the diagnostic criteria, the symptoms must be present in early childhood even if they are not recognized until later. ✅ There are 3 levels of ASD severity in DSM-5 - Level 1 is "high-functioning" autism without language or intellectual impairments. The transcript refers to this as Asperger's syndrome. ✅ The diagnostic assessment involves exploring social relationships, communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. ✅ Co-occurring conditions like ADHD, anxiety, OCD are common with ASD. An individual may have multiple diagnoses. ✅ Standardized diagnostic tools like the...

  Reduce Behaviour by Setting up your Classroom for Success:  webinar relay Learn Classroom Success Strategies Today!  ************************************** 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 ************************************** My live webinar last week was a success! If you missed it, it's not too late to sign up HERE and watch the replay of the hour of power! FREE sign up includes: ✅ E-book✅ Webinar Replay✅ Handout   Classroom Success Strategies You Will Learn in this Webinar: ✅    How to Structure your Classroom to Reduce Behaviour✅    Quick and Easy Adjustments to Implement e.g. where to position a child✅    How to Make the Most of your Support Time✅    Using Students’ Strengths to Reduce Their Stress✅    Supporting Students Socially and Emotionally✅    How to Identify the Underlying Causes of Disengagement/Behaviour✅    1 hour of POWER –...

Behaviour Solutions for Setting up your Classroom for Success Classroom Preparation and Neurodiverse Learners Subscribe to this podcast via your favourite app Join my newsletter for more awesome information about ASDBehaviour Solutions for Classrooms Did you know the how you set up your Classroom can influence behaviour? I always say "It's easier to change the structure than change the child". Setting up your classroom at the start of the year for a new class of neurodiverse learners is always a challenge. Not sure what 'neurodiversity' means? Listen to my podcast on why I love this term! I always find it is so important to prepare your classroom properly for children who learn and engage differently. This helps get the best out of your students, as well as helping to reduce behaviour. I am hoping to help you set up your classroom with a FREE live webinar and FREE E-BOOK to make sure your 2024 is a success! This free E-book has over 100 tips and strategies to help you this year....

The Overlooked Tools of Learning: Importance of Routine and Repetition for Neurodiverse Students Neurodiverse Learning: Routine and Repetition  ************************************** 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 ************************************** Routine and Repetition Resources Discussed in this Episode: ✅ Why use repetition ✅ How to us repetition across all ages and stages ✅ Why use routines ✅ Key routines to support engagement ✅ Why repetition and routines will save you time ✅ Quick tips and strategies to implement this week Harness the Overlooked Strategies of Routines and Repetition!Why Harness the Overlooked Strategies of Routines and Repetition? 1. Predictable (No more lost things & No more not knowing what to do)   2. Increase Independence (Helps getting started & builds confidence as know what to do when)    ...

Neurodiversity Education Tools Resources: Practical Tools and Resources for Educators Neurodiversity Education Tools Resources Join me this week as I talk you through my FAVOURITE resources to support neurodiverse students. So, grab a cuppa and download the catalogue and let's chat. ✅ Sue Larkey books (pg 2) ✅ Visual Supports (pg 5) ✅ Social Skills (pg 6) ✅ Understanding Behaviour (pg 8) ✅ Anxiety & Mental Health (pg 9) ✅Early Years (page 10) ✅ Helping Children Manage their Emotions (pg 11) ✅ Teaching Children about Autism Spectrum (page 12) ✅ADHD- Organising & Planning (page 13) ✅ Teen Years & Beyond (pg 15) ✅ Puberty & Sex Education (page 16) ✅ Sensory Books (pg 17) ✅  Sensory Tools (pg 18) ✅ Workshops (pg 19) These are all excellent Diverse Learning Support Materials to Support our students! 🎁 Inclusive Teaching Aids and Resource From understanding the autism spectrum to implementing behaviour support strategies, these resources cover all the bases. Not only are...

Principal Shares - Setting Up a Hub For Neurodiverse Students - Amazing Whole School Initiative Subscribe to this podcast via your favourite app Join my newsletter for more awesome information about ASDHub For Neurodiverse Students This week's Podcast is an interview with Principal Renea Dunleavy. She shares about a fantastic initiative at her school -  "The Hub." From anchor points for high-needs children to structured starts that set the tone for the day, they have reduced anxiety and school refusal, clearing the path to educational success. Renae shares insights and strategies for fostering a positive learning environment. This initiative is a testament to the power of effective classroom behaviour management and student engagement. By implementing innovative strategies, we've seen a transformation in how our students interact and learn.************************************** Join me for an upcoming Workshop: Sue Larkey Workshops Can't make these Workshop dates? Join me for a...