Teaching Autism and Special Education by Nikki

Hey teacher friend, today we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: The Least Dangerous Assumption , also known as The Presumption of Competence. 💛 It’s a mindset that completely changes how we see and support our students, especially in special education. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance high expectations with realistic support, or how to make sure every child gets a fair chance to show...

Hey teacher friend - you’ve been tracking, tallying, and color-coding behavior data… but now you’re wondering, “Okay, what do I actually do with it?” In this episode, we’re breaking down how to interpret behavior data..  what it really means, what it doesn’t, and how to use it to create real change for your students. Because data isn’t about numbers.. it’s about stories. What You’ll Learn Why...

Hey teacher friend, we’ve all been there. The tone shifts, a student’s body tenses, and you can feel the energy in the room change. What you do in that moment can completely shape what happens next. In this episode, we’re talking about real de-escalation techniques you can use right now,  what to say, what not to say, how to use your body language, and how to calm things before they spiral. T...

Hey teacher friend, let’s talk inclusion. 💛 We all believe in it, but between IEPs, sensory supports, and a million tiny details, inclusion can start to feel like a full-time job on top of your full-time job. In this episode, I’m sharing real, low-prep strategies that make inclusion doable, not perfect or Pinterest-ready, just practical, functional, and effective. These are the small changes that...

Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year when the real holiday stress hits. Not from your students. Not from admin. But from parents (and let’s be honest… ourselves, too). Between “Will there be a Christmas concert?” emails and “Can you send one more update?” requests, it’s easy to feel like you’re being pulled in a dozen directions. In this episode, we’re diving into how to handle parent pressu...

Hey teacher friend, feeling buried under glitter and wrapping paper right now? 🎄 If planning “fun” holiday activities feels more stressful than magical, this episode is for you. Today, we’re talking about Inclusive Holiday Fun  - simple, low-prep activities that actually work for every learner. No chaos, no pressure, no six-hour crafts. Just calm, accessible joy your whole class can enjoy (i...

Hey teacher friend, picture the scene.. it’s January, the laminator’s jammed, and your students suddenly seem to have   forgotten everything. Coats that used to be zipped? Now open. Requests that used to be independent? Gone. Routines that finally flowed? Out the window. Before you panic, take a breath. In this episode, we’re talking about why this happens, why it’s   completely normal ,...

Hey teacher friend, the holidays are here! 🎄 The tree’s up, the glitter’s flying, and your classroom smells like glue sticks and cocoa. But between concerts, dress-up days, and schedule changes, things can start to feel a little chaotic. In this episode, we’re talking about how to bring calm back into your classroom with errorless learning and low-pressure activities,  because your students...

Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year when the real holiday stress hits. Not from the students. Not even from admin. From parents… and from ourselves. Between “Will there be a Christmas concert?” emails and “Can you send one more progress update?” requests, it can feel impossible to keep up. In this episode, we’re talking about how to handle parent pressure and classroom expectations before t...

Hey teacher friend, let’s get real for a minute. The holidays are coming, your classroom smells like candy canes and chaos, and somewhere between the glitter and the Christmas concerts… the teacher guilt starts creeping in. That little voice that says: “I should be doing more.” “I feel bad saying no.” “Maybe I can squeeze in just one more thing.” In this episode, we’re talking about teacher guilt...

Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year again! The classroom is buzzing with pre-holiday excitement, glitter is everywhere , and students seem to have collectively decided that rules are optional. When chaos hits, it’s easy to reach for more consequences...  more visuals, more reminders, more “If you don’t do this, you’ll lose that.” But here’s the truth: our neurodivergent students don’t...

Hey teacher friend, it’s Halloween season! 🎃 The lights are flashing, the sugar rush is real, and your classroom suddenly looks like a superhero convention. But amidst all the fun, you might start to notice some big reactions... crying, covering ears, running off, or meltdowns that seem to appear out of nowhere. So today, we’re diving into how to tell the difference between a sensory overload and...

Hey teacher friend, today we’re talking about a phrase we’ve all used: “challenging behavior.” You know those moments when a student shouts out, refuses to transition, or throws their work on the floor… and we sigh, “They’re having some challenging behavior today.” But here’s the truth: the behavior isn’t what’s challenging, the situation is challenging for the student. In this episode, I’m unpack...

Visual supports aren’t just for daily schedules or First-Then boards, they’re powerful tools that can transform every part of your classroom. From communication and regulation to academics and behavior, visuals help make learning accessible, predictable, and safe for all students. In this episode, I’m sharing why visuals work, how to adapt them for different ages, and practical ways to use them be...

Peer conflict is part of every classroom, especially in SPED. But how we respond to hitting, shouting, pushing, or grabbing makes all the difference. Instead of punishment and shame, we can use these moments to teach regulation, communication, and repair. In this episode, I’m breaking down why conflict happens, how to respond in a neuro-affirming way, and practical strategies for turning tough mom...

Taking away recess as a punishment is still happening in far too many classrooms, but does it actually work? Spoiler: it doesn’t. In fact, it often makes the problem worse, especially for our neurodivergent students who need recess the most. In this episode, I’m breaking down why I don’t agree with using recess as a consequence, what the research says about its importance, the harm this practice c...

Transitions don’t have to be chaotic or meltdown-inducing. For autistic students, change can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, structure, and empathy, transitions can actually become opportunities to build trust, confidence, and independence. In this episode, I’m diving into why transitions are so tough for autistic students, the brain science behind it, and practical strategies you can...

Visual schedules are one of the most powerful tools in a SPED teacher’s toolkit, but only if students actually use them. In this episode, I’m walking you through how to create a visual schedule that’s meaningful, accessible, and part of your students’ daily rhythm (instead of just decoration on the wall). We’ll cover the “why” behind visual schedules, how to match them to your students’ developmen...

Echolalia and scripting are often misunderstood as “parroting” or “meaningless talk.” But the truth? They’re powerful communication tools and an important stage of language development, especially for autistic and neurodivergent students. In this episode, I’m breaking down what echolalia and scripting really are, why they matter, and how you can embrace them as stepping stones to authentic, sponta...

Play isn’t “just play” - it’s one of the most powerful ways to support communication growth. In this episode, we’re diving into how to turn everyday play moments into opportunities for language, connection, and confidence. Whether you’ve wondered how to support non-speaking students, embed speech goals into centers, or make playtime truly meaningful, this episode will give you strategies that are...

Core vocabulary isn’t just a buzzword, it’s one of the most powerful tools we can use to help our students communicate, connect, and grow. But here’s the problem: too often, AAC and core boards end up sitting on a shelf instead of being embedded into daily routines. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what core vocabulary is, why it matters, and how to naturally weave it into your everyday...

Ever been told your students are “just getting out of work” when they take a sensory break? Or that they “need to learn to sit still”? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why sensory breaks aren’t luxuries or rewards, they’re essential regulation tools that help students access learning. We’ll dig into what regulation really means, why breaks aren’t the same as time-outs, how the research backs...

👋 Episode Summary Hey friends! In this episode of Teaching Autism and Special Education , we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood (but hugely important) parts of student behavior: sensory processing . From toe-walking to meltdowns to zoning out, so many behaviors in our classrooms are not “bad behavior.” They’re sensory systems saying, “I’m overwhelmed and I need support.” Together, we’re...

👋 Episode Summary Hey lovely humans! Ever had one of those “I’ve tried everything and NOTHING is working” moments? Yeah… same. In this episode of Teaching Autism and Special Education , I’m breaking down what to do when you hit that wall. Because behavior isn’t always straightforward. And when strategies flop, it’s not because you’re failing, it’s because this work is hard, layered, and human. To...

👋 Episode Summary Hey hey, welcome back to Teaching Autism and Special Education ! Today, we’re talking about one of the toughest (and most misunderstood) parts of our job, supporting students through aggression and meltdowns without resorting to punishment. Because here’s the truth: Punishment doesn’t teach regulation. It teaches fear. And our students deserve better than that. In this episode,...