Discussed in this podcast:

✅  Create a visual card system with green for “sharing time” and red for “listening time” to help students who call out during lessons understand expectations.

✅  Implement a “Thought Parking Lot” using sticky notes where students can quickly jot down or draw thoughts that come to mind during instruction instead of calling out.

✅  Introduce “Think-Pair-Share” structures with timers so students know exactly when they’ll have opportunities to express their thoughts during lessons.

✅  Try different sensory tools beyond standard fidgets – consider wobble stools, therapy balls, or move-n-sit cushions that allow movement while sitting.

✅  Start writing on a blank page for students who experience “blank page anxiety” to help overcome initiation difficulties and executive functioning challenges.

✅  Create visual task breakdowns with numbered steps, making each step small and concrete for students who struggle with task initiation.

✅  Implement the “Tomorrow Box” concept – a physical box where overwhelming work can be placed temporarily, acknowledging difficulties without completely avoiding tasks.

✅  Use visual timers to show students exactly how long they need to attend to a task and when movement breaks will occur.

✅  Teach explicit scripts for requesting breaks, such as “I need a break” cards or signals, as alternatives to disruptive behavior.

✅  Map patterns of when and where challenging behaviors occur to identify triggers and environmental factors contributing to the behavior.