Episode 249: Strategies to Effectively Motivate and Reward Neurodiverse Students (ASD, ADHD, ODD & PDA)
Motivate Neurodiverse Students
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Learn the power of personalised strategies to inspire and engage your neurodiverse students, recognizing their unique needs and strengths. From identifying effective rewards to utilising visual Token Reward Systems and navigating challenges like PDA and ODD, this comprehensive guide provides practical tips and valuable resources to support your students’ success.
✅ Why Neurodiverse students need different accommodations and adjustments to motivate and reward them
✅ How to find effective rewards to motivate
✅ Why I love tokens – Visual, Kinesthetic, Consistent and more
✅ Downloadable Tips for Using Tokens
✅ PDA, ODD, why need to be cautious with praise & rewards
✅ Big 2 Sue Larkey Books Get 1 Free – this week only
Embrace Neurodiversity Today!
Implementing Token Reward Systems for Positive Reinforcement
PODCAST I MENTION
Podcast – Why Consequences Rarely Work and What to Do instead
https://suelarkey.com.au/why-consequences-rarely-work-and-what-to-do/
Books Referred to in this Podcast
Teacher Assistant Blue book – page 28. 29
Essential Guide to Secondary pg 73
Ultimate Guide to School & Home pg 58
Token Reward System (small – 5 tokens)
111 in stock
Download Tips Sheet – How to Use Token Rewards
10 Strategies on How to Motivate & Reward Neurodiverse Students
Help students with Neurodiversity to thrive academically and socially using these 10 effective, personalised strategies that leverage their strengths, provide clear expectations, and offer meaningful rewards.
1. Take photos of the student demonstrating the desired behaviour and use them as a visual reminder at the top of their token board.
2. Break tasks into smaller, achievable parts and ensure the student gets to experience completion.
3. Set specific, personalised academic goals with the student and their family, such as aiming for 60% in English.
4. Show work samples at the target level so the student has a clear visual of expectations.
5. Use the student’s special interest to teach concepts across subject areas, no matter how unique.
6. Implement token boards with 5 tokens the student can earn toward a motivating reward.
7. Provide rewards at designated times, such as 5 minutes before recess, lunch, or the end of the day.
8. Create consistency between home and school by using a signature system in the student’s agenda to earn rewards like video game time.
9. Reward students for practicing skills like asking peers for help, not just mastery.
10. Observe the student during free time to identify motivating rewards, such as looking out the window.
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn Sue’s practical tips & strategies to make a difference.
PRODUCTS TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE
Teacher Assistants Big Blue Book of Ideas
| by Sue Larkey & Anna Tullemans | Companion to the Teacher Assistants Big Red Book of Ideas. Hundreds of new strategies to try. Social skills: playgrounds, friendships, building self esteem, bullying. In the classroom: getting on task, adapting tasks and exams, building independence. Managing anxiety and behaviour.
$39.95
15 in stock
Teacher Assistants Big Blue Book of Ideas
| by Sue Larkey & Anna Tullemans | Revised and expanded in 2016. A practical guide to secondary school. Ideas for
all staff, from curriculum engagement, accommodations, group work, homework, using technology, behaviour support, organisational skills to building independence. Includes proformas to photocopy and save you time. This book has over 100 pages of proven ideas and strategies. MASSIVE TIME SAVER for busy Teachers & Parents
$44.95
7 in stock
The Ultimate Guide to School and Home
| by Sue Larkey and Anna Tullemans | This book provides key strategies for all ages and stages. It offers over 500 practical strategies and timer savers for school and home from engaging disengaged students, what to do if you don’t have a teacher assistant to considerations for setting up a classroom for teachers; and from developing friends, to moving house and choosing a school for families. It is the ultimate guide for teachers, parents and all professionals supporting children with autism spectrum disorder, including Aspergers, ADD, ADHD, ODD and other developmental delays.
Content pages below.
11 in stock
SUE LARKEY’S BOOKS
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Practical Sensory Programmes
$71.95 -
Practical Communication Programmes
$44.95 -
Teacher Assistants Big Red Book of Ideas
$39.95 -
The Essential Guide to Secondary School
$44.95 -
The Early Years: The Foundations For All Learning
$39.95 -
Tips for Toileting
$29.95 -
Making it a Success
$47.95 -
Photo Cook Book 1
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Developing Social Skills
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Teacher Assistants Big Blue Book of Ideas
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The Ultimate Guide to School and Home
$44.95 -
Photo Cook Book 2
$44.95 -
Teaching Manual for Cook Books
$34.95 -
Cookbook 1 and Teaching Manual
$79.95 -
Cookbook 2 and Teaching Manual
$79.95 -
Both Cook Books and Teaching Manual
$124.95 -
RED and BLUE BOOK BUNDLE
$75.00 -
Practical Mathematics
$44.95 -
A Manual To Provide Support and Care for Adults with Autism Spectrum
$39.95 -
Sue Larkey’s MEGA BOOK of Timesavers, Tips & Strategies for Busy and Complex Classrooms
$49.95 -
Red Beast Anger Workbook
$48.95
Are you?
- Passing on a student with Neurodiversity to another educator next year
- Do you know a student who will be changing teachers, classrooms, or school settings in 2026
- Planning your staff, classes for 2026
Now is the time to prepare for 2026.
By joining my course, you will get the knowledge, skills and strategies to set yourself and your students up for success in 2026.
If there's even a remote possibility of having a child with Neurodiversity in your classroom next year, join me to prepare now.
Training in the first term often presents challenges:
- Don't want a day out for training when setting up class at the start of the year.
- Students with neurodiversity may start off dysregulated because the necessary structures and strategies are not yet in place.
- Educators find themselves playing catch-up while addressing 'behaviours'.
- Many educators feel overwhelmed.
Sorry we no longer ship items outside Australia. Please consider the digital versions of Sue’s Books – 