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 understand connection and attention. Attention doesn't mean sitting still; it can look different. Accommodating a child's sensory system is crucial for learning. Creating an engaging environment helps students feel regulated. Students are more likely to engage when they feel at ease. We should challenge traditional teaching methods that require stillness. Learning can be more effective when students are allowed to move. Understanding neurodiversity is key to effective teaching. Teachers should think outside the box for engagement strategies. A calm environment is essential for accessing learning. Chapters 00:00 Revisiting Eye Contact and Engagement 01:13 The Holy Trinity of Harm: Eye Contact, Calm Body, Quiet Hands 02:12 Empowering Autistic Students Through Understanding 02:14 Encouraging Growth and Change in Practices     autism, learning, attention, connection, sensory system, education, engagement, teaching strategies, neurodiversity, classroom management

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, highlighting the balance between freedom and safety, and the benefits for both students and educators. Takeaways: Creating yes spaces allows children to explore safely. Yes spaces reduce the need for constant redirection. They foster authentic communication and co-regulation. Yes spaces benefit both students and educators. Balance between freedom and safety is crucial. Yes spaces are not about chaos but thoughtful design. Boundaries are built into the environment, not enforced. Yes spaces make therapy feel lighter and freer. They help educators focus on connection, not crisis management. Yes spaces support nervous system regulation for all. Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction to Yes Spaces 00:03:00 Benefits of Yes Spaces 00:06:00 Creating a Yes Space 00:09:00 Balancing Freedom and Safety 00:12:00 Practical Tips for Yes Spaces 00:15:00 Conclusion and Reflections   yes spaces, child-led therapy, autism, co-regulation, educational environments

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 emotional safety. Takeaways We need to talk about the hard things to move forward. Injuries at work are not the child's fault. Systemic issues contribute to workplace injuries. Co-regulation is key to preventing incidents. Blame should not be placed on children or staff. Proactive support systems are necessary. Understanding the nervous system is crucial. Reflective debriefs can lead to real change. Safety trainings should focus on prevention. Advocacy is essential for systemic change.   autistic children, physical injuries, systemic change, co-regulation, emotional safety

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 of implementing child-led therapy, highlighting the need for clear communication and shared goals. Takeaways When feeling questioned, it's important to pause and reflect. Defensiveness can hinder effective communication and learning. Understanding the root of questions can lead to better responses. Finding common ground helps in collaborative discussions. Child-led therapy is evidence-based and not chaotic. Protest from children can be a sign of autonomy, not failure. Setting boundaries with colleagues is crucial for maintaining focus. Providing clear information about therapy can alleviate concerns. It's essential to connect and collaborate rather than convince. Child-led therapy requires flexibility and self-awareness. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Questions and Judgments 10:09 Defensive Responses and Their Impact 19:40 Finding Common Ground in Therapy 24:18 Setting Boundaries with Colleagues 31:22 The Challenges of Child-Led Therapy     therapy, child-led, communication, defensiveness, collaboration, behaviorism, GLP, education, parenting, professional boundaries

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 confidently defending these methods in conversations with administrators and highlights the need for a shift in how progress is measured to better support students' communication development. Takeaways Conversations about student goals can be challenging. Goals often don't reflect actual progress seen in therapy. It's important to align goals with therapeutic approaches. Dynamic assessment can provide more meaningful data. Rubric-based goals offer a clearer picture of progress. Measurable goals should reflect real-life communication needs. Testing and intervention should not be conflated. Collaboration among team members enhances data collection. Rubrics can help prevent vague or overloaded goals. Confidence in goal writing can improve outcomes for students. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Goal Conversations in Therapy 03:45 The Importance of Meaningful Goals 09:32 Dynamic Assessment and Rubric-Based Goals 14:42 Defending Your Goal Writing Approach 29:11 The Future of Goal Writing in Therapy     goal writing, therapy, rubric-based goals, dynamic assessment, meaningful progress, autism, communication, IEP goals, data collection, child-led approach