Empower Students Now

Amanda Werner
  • 4.9 (47)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Amanda has been a passionate full time classroom teacher for 16 years. She’s worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students grades 3rd-8th. Amanda worked for a Title I, charter, magnet, and National Blue Ribbon school and now she homeschools her twice exceptional daughter.No matter what type of school or grade she’s taught, engaging and empowering students has always been at the forefront of her work as an educator and teacher author.Amanda understands that helping students find their voice is core to being an effective teacher and social justice advocate.Even with a teacher willing to listen, there are many barriers that exist and hinder movement towards more equitable schools. Amanda has experienced first hand the many problems that exist in K-12 education. Listening to students is only the first step on a long road ahead. Amanda’s website, courses, lesson resources, and podcast are dedicated to supporting teachers and students in this important work for change.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Damage Done — How Parent-Blaming and Compliance-Based Interventions Shaped Autism History (NeuroTribes for Teachers, Part 2)

    If Part 1 of this series was about what was lost in autism history, Part 2 is about what replaced it — and the damage it caused. In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Warner continues her deep dive into Steve Silberman's NeuroTribes, tracing how Bruno Bettelheim's "refrigerator mother" theory blamed parents for their children's autism, how institutionalization tore families apart, and how Ivar Lovaas's Applied Behavior Analysis became the dominant — and deeply controversial — intervention for autistic children. Amanda doesn't just summarize history. As an AuDHD educator and parent of an autistic child, she connects every chapter to what's still happening in schools and families today — from teachers who assume meltdowns are the result of bad parenting, to the compliance-first mindset that still drives how we approach autistic students in classrooms, to the fact that ABA remains the only intervention most insurance providers will cover. Content warning: This episode discusses institutionalization, abusive therapeutic practices, and other emotionally difficult topics. Please listen when you feel ready. In this episode, you'll learn: Bruno Bettelheim and the Refrigerator Mother Theory: how one man's ideology — not science — blamed mothers for their children's autism and caused decades of shame, guilt, and family separationThe Orthogenic School: Bettelheim's controlling and abusive methods, and how he presented himself as a savior while doing harmWillowbrook and the era of institutionalization: how autistic people were warehoused in overcrowded, neglectful institutions — sometimes for their entire livesThe origins of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis): how Ivar Lovaas developed compliance-based conditioning at UCLA in the 1960s, including early methods involving electric shocks, shouting, and physical forceWhy ABA's underlying philosophy — extinguish autistic behaviors to make children appear "normal" — conflicts with the strengths-based, humanizing approach Amanda advocatesAmanda's personal experience with ABA: the six months her family tried it, what she noticed immediately, and why she sees both its limitations and its potential benefitsBernard Rimland: the psychologist and father of an autistic son who debunked the refrigerator mother theory in 1964 — but also introduced controversial biomedical interventions that pulled families like the Rosas into expensive diet and supplement regimensARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake) and why sensory-based eating differences in autistic people are neurological, not behavioralWhy Amanda connects the refrigerator mother theory to what she still hears from teachers today: the assumption that a child's meltdown is the parent's faultWhat's still happening in 2026: "autistic classes" in public schools, the limitations of homeschooling laws internationally, and why ABA is still the only insurance-covered support for most autistic familiesBook discussed: NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve SilbermanAlso mentioned: Temple Grandin (film, starring Claire Danes)Infantile Autism by Bernard Rimland (1964)The Autism Society of AmericaThis is Part 2 of a multi-part series. Listen to Part 1 first for the story of Asperger vs. Kanner and how the narrow deficit model won out. Coming in Part 3: the evidence that autistic people have always been here, the evolution of the DSM, and extraordinary minds throughout history who were almost certainly on the spectrum. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a teacher, parent, or anyone who wants to understand how we got here — so we can do better for autistic students today.

    27 min

  2. MAY 9

    The Hidden History of Autism — How a Broader Understanding of Autism Was Deliberately Buried (NeuroTribes for Teachers, Part 1)

    Why do so many misconceptions about autism still persist in our schools — even as we know more about autism than ever before? The answer is buried in history. In Part 1 of a multi-part series on the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner breaks down the riveting and heartbreaking history of how autism was first identified, researched, and defined — and how decisions made almost a century ago still shape how teachers see autistic students today. Drawing from Steve Silberman's landmark book NeuroTribes, Amanda traces the story of two researchers who defined autism in profoundly different ways — and explains why the broader, more humane vision was suppressed for over 50 years while the narrow, deficit-focused model became the foundation of everything we were taught. Content warning: This episode discusses eugenics, the Nazi regime's targeting of disabled children, and other emotionally difficult topics. Please listen when you feel ready. In this episode, you'll learn: The story of the Rosa family in Silicon Valley — and how their journey with their autistic son Leo reflects what so many families still experience navigating the school and mental health systems todaySteve Silberman's investigation into the "geek syndrome" in Silicon Valley: the pattern of brilliant, driven tech workers having children diagnosed with autismHans Asperger's clinic in 1930s Vienna: a remarkably progressive, strengths-based approach to autistic children that was decades ahead of its timeSister Victorine Zak: the forgotten nun who developed individualized, strengths-based educational methods for autistic children nearly a century agoHow Asperger saw autism as a broad spectrum — including both non-verbal children with high support needs and highly verbal, gifted children — and why that view was lostGeorge Frankl and Annie Weiss: the Jewish clinicians who escaped the Nazis with the help of Leo Kanner at Johns Hopkins — and brought Asperger's knowledge with themLeo Kanner's 1943 paper that defined autism as rare, severe, and devastating — a narrow framework that dominated for decades and led to generations of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed childrenThe "refrigerator mother" theory: how parent-blaming became embedded in autism research and the lasting damage it causedHow Kanner suppressed Asperger's broader framework — and why the deficit model won out over the strengths-based model in American children's psychiatryWhy this history still matters in your classroom today: when we see students as "too verbal" or "too social" to be autistic, that's Kanner's legacy at workBook discussed: NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve SilbermanStay tuned for Part 2, where Amanda will cover the history of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and the harmful interventions that grew out of this narrow framework. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a teacher, parent, or anyone who wants to understand how we got here — so we can do better.

    25 min

  3. MAY 2

    Consequences Are Just Punishments With a New Name: A Different Approach to Student Behavior

    What if the next time a student lies, sneaks, or breaks a rule, instead of reaching for a consequence, you reached for a conversation?  In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares a powerful reframe for how teachers and parents can approach misbehavior — one that prioritizes connection over compliance and treats behavior problems as signals, not crimes. Inspired by a real group text conversation with fellow moms about a child sneaking screen time and lying about it, Amanda walks through exactly what she said — and why her approach looks so different from the way most of us were raised. As a self-described rebel kid who was grounded constantly growing up and a teacher who spent 16 years working with "difficult" students, Amanda offers a perspective rooted in both personal experience and years of classroom practice. In this episode, you'll learn: Amanda's reframe: why misbehavior is a signal to have a real conversation, not a trigger for a consequenceWhy "consequences" is often just a rebranding of "punishments" — and why both can cause disconnectionHow to talk to a child who has broken your trust: sharing the real-world impact of dishonesty without shamingWhy asking for the child's perspective — "Why did you feel you needed to lie?" — changes everythingThe power of letting kids help determine their own consequences collaborativelyWhy the word "consequence" itself can be a shutdown trigger for some kidsHow to set boundaries and enforce rules while still leading with empathy and connectionAmanda's personal story of being a kid who stole, snuck out, and was punished constantly — and what she wishes adults had done differentlyInsights from the book "Good Inside" by Dr. Becky Kennedy: the premise that kids are good inside no matter what they doHow this reframe applies in classrooms: cheating, phone sneaking, defiance, and rule-breakingThis approach isn't about being permissive or letting kids walk all over you. It's about shifting from "how do I punish this?" to "what problem are we solving together?" — and building the kind of trust that actually changes behavior long-term. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a teacher, parent, or anyone navigating tough moments with kids. Visit amandawritenow.com for free tools and resources!

    16 min

  4. APR 25

    Self-Acceptance for Teachers: A Meditation Teacher's Honest Guide to Surviving End-of-Year Chaos

    What happens when a meditation teacher stops meditating — and decides that's okay? In this deeply personal episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Warner gets honest about the chaos of her life right now: selling a house, moving her family to Uruguay with a one-way ticket, packing up her entire life — and barely keeping up with her own self-care practices along the way. Rather than pretending she has it all figured out, Amanda shares the one mindset practice that's actually getting her through: self-acceptance. Not the polished, Instagram version. The real kind — where you accept the stress, the guilt, the skipped meditations, the unhealthy eating, the sleepless nights, and the tears that come up mid-sentence while recording a podcast episode in your car because your empty house echoes too much. If you're a teacher navigating end-of-year overwhelm, political anxiety, or just the weight of everything changing at once, this episode is a reminder that you can always take one breath — even when you can't do anything else. In this episode, you'll learn: What self-acceptance actually looks like in practice — especially when you're not practicing what you preachWhy a meditation teacher skipping meditation isn't failure — it's part of the practiceAmanda's life update: selling the house, one-way tickets to Uruguay, moving a dog and a cat internationally, and trying to say "Uruguay" in Spanish on airA simple self-acceptance practice you can do right now: place your hands on your heart, breathe, and say "I am aware"Why beating yourself up is an ingrained habit for women and teachers — and how to notice when you're doing itThe difference between self-care as a checklist and self-acceptance as a way of beingWhy crying is healthy, rest is productive, and you don't have to hold it all together to be okayA guided breathing moment to close the episode — because no matter how chaotic your life is, you can always take one breathThis episode is for every teacher who's white-knuckling it to summer break. You're going to be okay. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who needs to hear it right now.

    13 min

  5. APR 18

    Why "Difficult" Kids Might Be Your Most Important Students (And How to Reach Them)

    What if the most "difficult" kid in your classroom is actually the one you should be paying the closest attention to — not to discipline, but to champion? In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner breaks down a powerful Atlantic article by Russell Shaw called "In Praise of Difficult Kids" and explains why the students who challenge you, interrupt you, and push back against your lessons may be developing the exact skills our society needs most right now. Amanda connects Shaw's insights to her own experience as a former class clown turned compliant masker, sharing how school systems trained her to suppress her natural instincts for questioning and humor — and the damage that caused. She also offers practical strategies teachers can use to channel students' defiance into critical thinking, respectful dissent, and civic courage. In this episode, you'll learn: The story of "Ned," the disruptive student who later became a teacher and credited his experience in Shaw's class as formativeWhy compliance culture in schools can silence the very students who are developing critical thinking and a strong sense of justiceHow punishing defiant behavior in front of compliant students makes everyone less likely to speak up — even about real injusticesAmanda's personal experience as a class clown in elementary school who was shaped into a "good girl" mask by middle school — and what that cost herPractical strategies for creating structured opportunities for dissent: classroom debates, devil's advocate roles, "challenge the teacher" days, and student-led discussionsHow to reframe "bad behavior" into strengths using specific language — like telling the class clown "you have a strong presence" or the passionate arguer "your sense of justice will serve you well"Why this moment in history makes teaching kids to dissent respectfully more important than everThe difference between compliance time and dissent time, and how naming both gives students clarityArticle discussed: "In Praise of Difficult Kids" by Russell Shaw, The Atlantic (linked in show notes — if you don't have a subscription, ask a subscriber to gift it to you)If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a teacher, parent, or anyone who cares about raising kids who can think critically and speak up when it matters.

    16 min

  6. APR 11

    5 Damaging Myths About Autism That Teachers Still Believe (From an Autistic Teacher)

    What do teachers really know about autism — and how much of it is actually wrong? In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner — a 16-year classroom veteran and AuDHD educator — breaks down five of the most damaging and persistent myths about autism that still circulate in schools and explains why they cause real harm to autistic students. Drawing on research, years of teaching experience, and her own journey as a late-diagnosed autistic person, Amanda shares how these myths shaped her own school experience as both a student and a teacher — and what educators can do differently starting now. The 5 myths covered in this episode: Myth 1: Autistic people don't feel emotions or lack empathy. Amanda explains why autistic people often feel emotions more intensely, not less, and how flat affect and differences in eye contact are misread as coldness or disinterest. Myth 2: All autistic people are the same, and you can spot autism easily. The truth about masking, why girls and women are underdiagnosed, and why the DSM-5 criteria were built on studies of white boys. Myth 3: Autistic people lack intelligence. Why autism and IQ are completely separate, what twice-exceptional means, and how standardized tests can fail autistic students — including Amanda's own experience with the SAT. Myth 4: Autistic people need to be fixed or made "normal." A candid look at ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), why stimming is self-regulation and not misbehavior, and why forcing conformity does more harm than good. Myth 5: Autistic people don't want friends or prefer to be alone. The difference between not wanting connection and struggling with how to connect, the loneliness epidemic among autistic people, and how teachers can support social connection through structured opportunities and parallel play. Key takeaways for teachers: presume competence, don't force eye contact, allow stimming that isn't harmful, check in on quiet or withdrawn students, teach all students about different communication styles, and shift from fixing to supporting. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a fellow educator. Resources for teaching students about autism and neurodiversity are linked in the show notes.

    34 min

  7. APR 4

    An Autistic Teacher Explains the Neurodiversity Movement (And Why It Matters for Your Students)

    What is neurodiversity — and why should teachers care? In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Warner — a certified meditation teacher, 16-year classroom veteran, and AuDHD educator — breaks down the neurodiversity movement in plain language for teachers. You'll learn what neurodiversity actually means (and what it doesn't), where the movement came from, its core principles, and what it asks of educators. Amanda also tackles common misconceptions, like the idea that neurodiversity denies disability or excuses behavior, and shares how understanding her own autism and ADHD diagnosis transformed the way she sees teaching, students, and herself. This episode covers: what neurodiversity means vs. neurodivergent vs. neurotypical, the history of the neurodiversity movement and Judy Singer, the medical model vs. the social model of disability, presuming competence in neurodivergent students, "nothing about us without us" in education, why support doesn't equal cure, shifting from compliance to accommodation in the classroom, and how ableist expectations in schools can disable students. Whether you're a general education teacher, a special education teacher, or a parent navigating IEPs, this episode will help you understand the neurodiversity movement and apply it in your classroom. Resources for teaching neurodiversity to your students are linked below. 00:00 Welcome and Overview 02:17 Host Perspective 02:57 Defining Neurodiversity 03:27 Neurodivergent vs Neurotypical 05:08 Not a Diagnosis 05:24 Origins and Paradigm Shift 07:43 Core Principles 08:36 Disability and Environment 11:49 Presume Competence 13:18 Nothing About Us 14:31 Support Not Cure 15:07 Teacher Mindset Shift 16:26 Common Misconceptions 17:58 Personal Neurochemistry Story 21:29 Wrap Up and Resources Editable Slides to Teach about Autism + Bonus Slideshows! 8 Outstanding Videos to Spark Discussion About Neurodiversity in Your Classroom Amanda's Favorite Neurodiversity Affirming Podcasts:  The Neurodiversity Podcast  Full-Tilt Parenting Divergent Conversations  Uniquely Human  Meet My Autistic Brain Hyperfocus  My Friend Autism Adhd Experts

    23 min

  8. MAR 21

    Paradoxical AuDHD: A Poem About Contradictions, Overwhelm, and Self-Understanding

    On the Empower Students Now podcast, host Amanda Werner shares that she pursued an autism diagnosis at 43 after years of researching autism following her child’s 2021 diagnosis. During this time she was also diagnosed with ADHD, identifying as AuDHD. She describes feeling overwhelmed trying to organize her ideas into traditional formats and turns to poetry as a way to express the “messy” chaos of her mind. Amanda discusses stigma and misconceptions about ADHD and autism, including a “bandwagon effect” narrative, and argues that more diagnoses reflect increased information while autism may still be overlooked, especially when ADHD is diagnosed. She emphasizes the importance of teachers understanding neurodivergence and encourages exploring this co-occurance further. She then reads a poem listing AuDHD paradoxes and concludes that learning about neurodiversity has improved her self-acceptance. 00:00 Late Autism Diagnosis 01:04 Overwhelm and Chaos 02:37 Why Poetry Helps 03:50 Teachers and Undiagnosed Kids 04:59 Stigma and Bandwagon Talk 06:06 ADHD Parent Dismissal Story 08:24 Why She Wrote This 10:09 Poem Paradoxical AuDHD Poem 13:22 Closing Reflections

    17 min
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4.9
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About

Amanda has been a passionate full time classroom teacher for 16 years. She’s worked in a wide range of educational settings teaching students grades 3rd-8th. Amanda worked for a Title I, charter, magnet, and National Blue Ribbon school and now she homeschools her twice exceptional daughter.No matter what type of school or grade she’s taught, engaging and empowering students has always been at the forefront of her work as an educator and teacher author.Amanda understands that helping students find their voice is core to being an effective teacher and social justice advocate.Even with a teacher willing to listen, there are many barriers that exist and hinder movement towards more equitable schools. Amanda has experienced first hand the many problems that exist in K-12 education. Listening to students is only the first step on a long road ahead. Amanda’s website, courses, lesson resources, and podcast are dedicated to supporting teachers and students in this important work for change.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Werner
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    123
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Empower Students Now
  • Show Website
    Empower Students Now