Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education

Special interests, fixations and self-stimulation are often a very important part of life for someone with autism. They are usually their only form of relaxation and down time. Special interests and fixations often give the child something they can control and is predictable to them, bringing order to their world. Special interests can include drawing, Lego, Minecraft, Music, YouTube and so much more. Self-stimulation can be more sensory based like rocking, hand flapping, twirling, vocal stimming and more. If you are unsure what their special interest or self-stimulation is, watch what the child is doing when they are left alone. These can often be quite bizarre – over the years I have seen collecting bottle tops, filtering tan bark, fans, lights, light bulbs and vacuum cleaners. It is very important that we have in place the rules and routines around special interests, as they find it hard to finish and self-regulate. Special interests should also be used to motivate and engage students. By using a child's special interest we can teach them just about anything! Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-039-using-special-interests-to-motivate-engage/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Some Q & A and general information for Teachers Assistants or as I alike to call them my 'Angels'. Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-038-teacher-assistant-appreciation-week/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Dr Tony Attwood, world renowned psychologist on Asperger's Syndrome / High-Functioning Autism, has written a number of best selling books. His book Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals and The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome are in over 22 languages and are world best selling books for ASD. I always find Tony's workshops and resources practical, informative and engaging. Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-037-dr-tony-attwood/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below.

Puberty is part of natural development for all children. Puberty usually starts in girls around 10-11 and boys 11-12. Menstruation for girls typically occurs between 12 and 13, while voice changes for boys is often around 15. We ALL need to have on-going discussions with the child and this is where having both home and school helping the child's understanding is vital. Boys and girls need to know about their changes and changes in the opposite sex too (particularly, if they have opposite sex siblings or are at co-ed schools). It is important to start sharing this information with them before the changes occur otherwise the children may worry that something is wrong with them. I know some parents who talk about the changes before they happen and then as they happen their children tell them and they celebrate! Open, honest and on-going information is most effective, and not too much information all at once! That being said some children want to know everything and that is where books can be wonderful. Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-036-puberty-preparing-for-success-at-home-and-school/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/

Have you noticed these signs in a child you know: Unorganised, often loses or forgets homework Rarely completes tests on time and leaves multiple questions unanswered on timed exams Can't perform simple maths problems, sequences and calculations Turns in incomplete homework because they don't understand the instructions Need a quiet area to study and is often distracted by background noise Lacks focus with reading and taking notes Tries to avoid multi-step problems Needs extra time to make decisions This child might have slow processing speed. This means they may have difficulty remembering instructions in the classroom or retaining important details for an assignment or exam. These children are often labelled "dumb" or "lazy" when they are often very intelligent, but don't process information as quickly as their classmates. This can lead to anxiety as it impacts on their ability to engage in learning. So it is important to put in place accommodations so they don't feel like they are struggling. Understanding the link between anxiety and slow processing speed helps you to best support the child and for the child to know why they may take longer than their peers. Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-035-slow-processing-speed-what-is-it-what-to-do/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/

It is very important when developing a behaviour program that you put in place two types of strategies: Strategies for the ADULTS to use to manage the students behaviour Strategies for the CHILD to manage THEIR OWN behaviour Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-034-strategy-action-success-independence/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/

Recognising and exploring the relationship between ASD and mental health difficulties is vital, so each can be addressed successfully. As Tony Attwood said "people with Asperger's Syndrome appear especially vulnerable to feeling depressed, with about one in three adolescents and two out of three adults with Asperger's Syndrome having experienced at least one episode of severe depression in their life". Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-033-understanding-mental-health-and-asd/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/

Many children with ASD will be over or under reactive to sensory stimuli including touch, taste, smell, sound, sight and/or movement. By regulating the amount and intensity of stimulation it helps to keep the nervous system calm, organised and focused. Children can be under-aroused and sluggish one moment, and overwhelmed and anxious the next. Meeting sensory needs can include using sensory tools to regulate behaviour or adapting activities to reduce sensory stimulation. For example some children can sit for longer periods with a sensory tool/fidget tool. While other children may need clothing adaptations, e.g. socks with no overlocking for them to wear shoes and socks. Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-031-strategies-for-playground/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my website below. https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/

The playground is often an extremely confusing environment for children on the spectrum. Playgrounds can be overwhelming in many ways; socially, sensorially and behaviourally. Children with ASD, ADHD,ODD often desperately want friends and to play with other children but don't have the skills required. This can result in them getting in trouble for behaviour, becoming socially isolated, bullied or unable to maintain friendships. To overcome this, it is important schools implement proactive strategies to support students to engage appropriately in the playground. Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-031-strategies-for-playground/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my websites below. Australian residents: https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/ Rest of the world: https://www.autismspectrumelearning.com/

Many children with ASD do not feel the need or motivated to communicate as everyone in their environment thinks for them, gives them what they want or even anticipates their needs. When you create a communication programme it is VITAL you create as many opportunities as possible for the child to communicate. Start with activities that are particularly desirable or intriguing for your child are more likely to 'tempt' them or provide them with sufficient motivation to communicate with another person. Encourage verbal children to use their words or extend their word i.e. "Drink" to "I want drink" and non-verbal children to use visuals/signs/gesture to communicate. Show notes for this podcast are at: https://suelarkey.com.au/slp-030-using-communication-temptations-to-motivate-to-communicate/ Join the facebook group specifically for this podcast - https://www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my websites below. Australian residents: https://elearning.suelarkey.com.au/ Rest of the world: https://www.autismspectrumelearning.com/