Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast

In this conversation, Nicole Casey challenges traditional notions of attention and connection in learning, particularly for autistic students. She emphasizes the importance of accommodating diverse sensory needs and creating an engaging learning environment that allows students to feel regulated and at ease, thus enhancing their ability to learn and engage. Takeaways We need to rethink how we unde...

In this episode of Let Them Lead, Nicole Casey discusses the concept of "yes spaces" in therapy and educational settings, emphasizing their importance for both autistic students and educators. She explains how creating environments where children can explore safely without constant redirection fosters authentic communication and co-regulation. Nicole shares practical tips for setting up yes spaces...

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges and emotional impact of working with autistic children, focusing on incidents where educators face physical injuries. She shares personal experiences, emphasizing the need for systemic change and proactive support to prevent such situations. Nicole advocates for understanding over blame and highlights the importance of co-regulation and emotio...

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses how to handle situations where one's approach in therapy is questioned or judged. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the root of such questions, often stemming from fear, and advocates for a collaborative and curiosity-driven response rather than defensiveness. The conversation also touches on setting boundaries with colleagues and the challenges...

Join our free Rubric workshop- happening TOMORROW at 7 PM EST! In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of writing meaningful goals in therapy, particularly for autistic students. She emphasizes the importance of aligning goals with therapeutic approaches and using dynamic assessments and rubric-based documentation to capture authentic progress. Nicole provides strategies for confide...

  Join the FREE Rubric Reset Workshop, live on November 12:  Grab your free ticket here >> REGISTER NOW   In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the unique challenges faced by autistic children in relation to their childhood experiences. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the balance between therapy and allowing children to simply be kids. The conversation highlights the need for unst...

  Join the FREE Rubric Reset Workshop, live on November 12:  Grab your free ticket here >> REGISTER NOW   In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of writing effective goals for autistic students, emphasizing the limitations of traditional goal writing systems. She introduces rubrics as a solution to create individualized, meaningful, and measurable goals that reflect the child's nee...

I n this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the discomfort surrounding the topic of therapy goals for autistic children, emphasizing the importance of listening to autistic voices. She discusses the harmful nature of compliance-based goals, such as suppressing stimming and forcing eye contact, and advocates for a shift towards neuroaffirming, child-led therapy that prioritizes the child's needs a...

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges therapists face when children disengage during sessions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind disengagement, advocating for a child-led approach, and recognizing signs of fatigue or burnout. Nicole shares strategies for managing disengagement, building trust with families, and reframing engagement. She encoura...

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the concept of toxic positivity, particularly in the context of workplace environments, especially in special education. She shares personal experiences and examples of how toxic positivity manifests in professional settings, often leading to a culture that dismisses genuine concerns and prioritizes a facade of happiness over accountability and safety. The c...

To learn more, follow: @thechildledslp and @ptsd.slp In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of trauma-informed care in supporting autistic students. She emphasizes that trauma is widespread and often hidden, and that educators must approach their work with a mindset that prioritizes safety, trust, and connection. The discussion covers the four Rs of trauma-informed care, misco...

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of centering autistic voices in therapy goals for autistic children. She highlights a 2024 study that reveals the most accepted therapy goals as identified by autistic adults, emphasizing the need for a neuroaffirming approach that prioritizes safety, autonomy, and communication. The conversation covers five key areas of focus: decreasing...

Download the free "Multimodal Communication is NOT a Hierarchy" Visual here ! In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the concept of multimodal communication, particularly in the context of supporting autistic children. She emphasizes that communication is not limited to speech but includes various modalities such as gestures, facial expressions, and actions. Nicole critiques the traditional h...

To grab your free ticket, visit:  www.childledautismsummit.com I hope to see you all there!

Save your spot for The Child-Led Autism Summit here !   In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the problematic strategy of withholding objects to encourage communication in autistic children. She emphasizes the emotional and relational damage this approach can cause, advocating for a more child-led, affirming method that fosters genuine communication and connection. Through personal anecdote...

  Summary: In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the critical importance of creating safe and sensory-friendly environments for autistic students. She emphasizes that the physical setup of therapy and classroom spaces can significantly impact children's engagement and comfort. Nicole shares practical strategies for enhancing sensory safety, including adjusting lighting, reducing visual clutter,...

  Download The Child-Led Answer Guide here!    Summary In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of implementing child-led approaches in systems that prioritize compliance and data collection. She emphasizes the importance of community support, building confidence in one's therapeutic approach, and making small shifts to create a more neuroaffirming environment for students. The conve...

Join the waitlist for the free Child-Led Autism Summit! https://thechildledslp.myflodesk.com/summitwaitlist   Summary In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the detrimental effects of compliance-based therapy on communication and relationships, particularly with autistic students. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding power struggles, advocating for a...

www.childled.org In this episode, Nicole Casey explores how to support autistic children during challenging moments by reframing behaviors as stress responses rather than defiance. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these behaviors, which are often linked to the child's nervous system and anxiety levels. The conversation covers practical strategies for preventi...

Download the Free Framing Guide Here In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of articulating the value of child-led therapy sessions. She emphasizes the importance of reframing how therapists describe their work to parents and educators, focusing on the relational and developmental outcomes rather than traditional metrics of success. Through a structured 'framing framework', she pro...

Join The Child-Led Collective as a Founding Member for only $20/mo:   Learn More & Join the Community Here!   In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the complexities and challenges of writing effective therapy goals, particularly focusing on the common practice of measuring progress with 80% accuracy. She reflects on her personal struggles with goal writing and emphasizes the need for more m...

  Join The Child-Led Collective as a Founding Member for only $20/mo:   Learn More & Join the Community Here! In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the intricacies of child-led therapy, emphasizing the importance of planning, active engagement, and the adult's role in creating a supportive environment. She clarifies misconceptions about child-led approaches being passive and highlights the n...

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP In this episode, Nicole Casey introduces the Child-Led Collective, a new membership aimed at providing support and resources for child-led professionals. She invites YOU to join as a founding member, for a limited time only, at the lowest price it will ever be ($20/month, no long term contract required). She emphasizes the importance of community, practical tools, a...

www.childled.org In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of establishing boundaries within child-led therapy. She explains how locking the toy closet in her clinic serves as a safety measure rather than a restriction, emphasizing that structure and safety can enhance a child's autonomy. The conversation explores the balance between child-led practices and necessary boundaries, highl...

https://thechildledslp.myflodesk.com/selfregulation   I n this episode, Nicole Casey explores the concept of co-regulation, emphasizing its importance   in supporting autistic children and fostering effective communication. She reflects on her personal experiences with dysregulation and how co-regulation has played a crucial role in her parenting and professional life. The discussion highlights th...