Teaching Autism and Special Education by Nikki

Teaching Autism
  • 4.5 (42)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hi, I’m Nikki —a passionate special educator, autism specialist, and founder of Teaching Autism. With over a decade of experience creating hands-on, engaging resources for educators worldwide, I’m here to make your teaching journey easier, more effective, and a lot more fun! With each episode, I’ll bring you practical tips, creative strategies, and inspiring insights to help you thrive in your autism and special education classroom. From tackling behavior challenges to creating meaningful lesson plans, we’ll dive deep into what works—and what doesn’t—in the world of special education. You’ll find: ✅ Real-world strategies you can use tomorrow. ✅ Expert advice for creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms. ✅ Honest conversations about the joys and challenges of teaching. ✅ Plenty of laughs, relatable moments, and inspiration to keep you going. Whether you’re a seasoned educator, new to special education, or simply looking to level up your teaching game, this podcast is your go-to resource for empowering yourself and your students. Join me on this journey, and let’s build better classrooms together! Hit “subscribe” and tune in to each episode to fill your teaching toolbox with fresh ideas, tools, and motivation. Let’s make teaching less stressful and a whole lot more impactful!

  1. 1D AGO

    Teaching Communication Beyond Words

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about communication, and not just speech. Because every student communicates. Not every student uses words. And that doesn’t make their communication any less valid. This episode is all about teaching communication beyond words... supporting non-verbal and minimally verbal students through AAC, visuals, gestures, body language, and modeling. Because communication is connection, and every child deserves to be heard in the way that works for them. In this episode, we talk about: Why communication is more than spoken language What counts as communication (spoiler: a lot more than people think) Why speech shouldn’t be the only goal The pressure students feel when communication doesn’t feel safe What a total communication environment actually looks like How to support communication using gestures, visuals, signs, and AAC together Why AAC gives access to language, not dependence The importance of modeling AAC all day, not just during “speech time” How body language is often the first form of communication Why visuals reduce anxiety and increase understanding The power of modeling over prompting Why all communication attempts deserve celebration How to partner with families around AAC and alternative communication What to do when communication breaks down Why connection matters more than correctness Big takeaways: Speech is one form of communication.. not the only one Functional communication is independence AAC doesn’t replace speech, it supports it If communication works, students will use it more Being understood is more important than being verbal If you’ve ever worked with a student who communicates differently, through gestures, visuals, AAC, or behavior, this episode will help you shift your perspective and respond with confidence and compassion. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how honoring all communication builds trust, autonomy, and real connection.

    10 min

  2. MAR 6

    Why Movement Isn’t a Distraction — It’s a Need

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that so many of our students get told every day... “Sit still and focus.” And honestly? For neurodivergent learners, that expectation just doesn’t make sense. Movement isn’t a distraction. It’s a need. This episode breaks down why movement is essential for regulation and learning, how it supports focus instead of ruining it, and how you can build movement into your classroom in a way that feels structured, fun, and totally doable. In this episode, we talk about: Why “still = focused” is one of the biggest classroom myths How movement helps regulate the nervous system What movement actually does to the brain (hello dopamine and oxygen) Why rocking, fidgeting, pacing, and wiggling are forms of self-regulation What happens when movement needs aren’t met How to reframe movement as a learning tool instead of a behavior issue Why movement breaks are a regulation strategy, not a reward How to use short, predictable movement breaks throughout the day Everyday movement ideas that reset the room fast Why themed movement breaks work so well for engagement How to tie movement into classroom themes, seasons, and holidays Why movement should be predictable, not earned Teaching students to notice when their bodies need to move How structure actually makes movement less chaotic, not more Big takeaways: Sitting still does not equal learning Movement helps brains organize and stay regulated When movement is built in, chaos goes down Predictable movement prevents sensory overload Movement supports attention, regulation, and confidence If you’ve ever worried that letting students move will “undo” your classroom routines, this episode will help you see movement differently, as something that supports learning instead of competing with it. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how movement, when used intentionally, helps students feel regulated, engaged, and ready to learn.

    12 min

  3. FEB 27

    Helping Students Recover from Sensory Overload

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about the moment after a meltdown, when the room is quiet, everyone’s drained, and you’re wondering… okay, now what? Because what happens after sensory overload matters just as much as what happens before it. This episode walks through how to help students recover safely, calmly, and compassionately, without rushing them back into expectations they’re not ready for yet. In this episode, we talk about: Why recovery takes longer than we think (even when students look calm) What sensory overload does to the nervous system Why co-regulation comes before self-regulation How removing demands actually helps students recover faster Creating safety after a meltdown without “giving in” Staying nearby without adding pressure Why the environment needs regulating too Sensory tools that support recovery, not compliance How to spot false calm vs true regulation Why connection comes before conversation How to gently debrief without shame What to document after overload (and why it matters) Teaching recovery as a skill... not a punishment Why teachers need recovery time too Big takeaways: Calm is the goal, not compliance A regulated adult helps regulate a dysregulated child Meltdowns aren’t choices, they’re nervous system overload Rushing recovery makes future meltdowns more likely Connection repairs more than consequences ever will If you’ve ever felt unsure what to do after a meltdown, or worried about “doing the wrong thing” - this episode will give you permission to slow down and lead with compassion. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how recovery, co-regulation, and connection create real long-term change.

    11 min

  4. FEB 20

    Noise, Light, and Movement: How the Environment Impacts Behavior

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that’s often missed in behavior conversations - the environment. Because sometimes it’s not the reward system, the visual schedule, or the strategy that’s causing the behavior. Sometimes… it’s the noise, the lighting, or the constant movement around a student. And once you start seeing behavior through a sensory lens, everything shifts. In this episode, we talk about: Why students react to the environment, not the lesson plan What sensory overload actually does to the brain Why behavior often shows up after lunch, assemblies, or busy transitions How everyday classroom noise can overwhelm sensitive nervous systems Simple ways to soften sound and create quieter spaces Why fluorescent lighting can trigger headaches, fatigue, and shutdowns Easy lighting changes that make a huge difference Why movement isn’t misbehavior... it’s regulation How to support movement without chaos How to do a quick sensory audit of your classroom Small, low-cost changes that improve regulation What to do in the moment when a student is overstimulated Why student voice matters when designing sensory spaces Big takeaways: Behavior is often a sensory response Overstimulated brains can’t access learning Predictability and sensory safety reduce behavior Small environmental changes can have big impact Regulation always comes before instruction If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things and behavior is still escalating, this episode will help you zoom out and look at what’s happening around your students, not just what’s happening in front of them. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how to create classrooms that feel calmer, safer, and more supportive for every nervous system.

    12 min

  5. FEB 13

    The Truth About Reinforcement: Motivation vs. Manipulation

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about reinforcement.. and why it can feel so uncomfortable sometimes. Because yes, reinforcement works. But it can also start to feel like bribery… or like we’re controlling students instead of supporting them. So let’s clear the air. This episode is all about how to use reinforcement in a way that feels ethical, respectful, and empowering, not manipulative. In this episode, we unpack: What reinforcement actually is (and what it’s not) Why everyone is motivated by reinforcement... not just our students The real difference between motivation and manipulation Why reinforcement can feel “wrong” even when it’s effective How intrinsic motivation develops (hint: it comes after success) What ethical reinforcement really looks like in practice The problem with overusing tokens and sticker systems How to make reinforcement predictable instead of anxiety-provoking Why natural reinforcement is so powerful Why communication should always be reinforced... even refusal How to reinforce effort and progress instead of perfection What to do when reinforcement suddenly stops working How to fade reinforcement without removing support How to talk about reinforcement with families Big takeaways: Reinforcement isn’t about control, it’s about cause and effect If a student feels safe and empowered, it’s motivation If a student feels pressured or trapped, it’s manipulation Reinforcement should build independence, not dependence Connection should always outlast the reward If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “doing reinforcement right,” felt uncomfortable with token systems, or worried about creating reward-dependent students, this episode will help you rethink reinforcement in a way that actually aligns with your values. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how to use reinforcement as a bridge... not a bargaining chip.

    11 min

  6. FEB 6

    What To Do When a Student Refuses Everything

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about refusal... the kind where you plan everything perfectly and your student still says “no”… or shuts down completely. Arms crossed. Under the table. Straight to the calm corner before you’ve even started. If you’ve ever thought, “But they can do this… why are they refusing again?” ....  this episode is for you. Because refusal isn’t defiance. It’s communication. In this episode, we talk about: Why refusal is almost never personal What refusal is really telling you about a student’s nervous system How demand anxiety shows up in the classroom How to spot patterns behind chronic refusal Why pushing harder usually makes things worse How to lower demands without giving up completely The power of choice, control, and predictability How visuals reduce anxiety around tasks Ways to use student interests to re-engage Why connection comes before redirection “Side door” strategies that reduce power struggles Why reinforcing attempts matters more than finishing How to figure out the function of refusal When to gently nudge and when to pause completely Why consistency between home and school really matters Big takeaways: Refusal is a protective response, not bad behavior A dysregulated brain can’t learn Safety and predictability come before compliance Small steps count (a lot) Relationship always beats control If you’re supporting students who refuse work, shut down, avoid tasks, or seem overwhelmed by everything, this episode will help you rethink refusal and respond in a way that actually works, without turning your day into a constant power struggle. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how to support refusal with calm, compassion, and strategies that respect the nervous system.

    11 min

  7. JAN 30

    Advocacy Skills for Teachers: How to Make Change (Even When You Feel Stuck)

    In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about advocacy — the kind you need when you know what a student needs, but the system just isn’t moving. You know the feeling.... You’ve got the data.. You’ve got the experience... You can see the pattern clear as day… and yet you’re stuck in meetings that go nowhere, hearing “we’ve tried that” or “they just need to cope.” This episode is for that moment. Because advocacy doesn’t have to mean arguing, burning bridges, or leaving the meeting feeling shaky and drained. It can be calm, professional, strategic — and actually effective. In this episode, we chat about: What advocacy really is (spoiler: it’s not fighting) Why you are the expert on your students.. even if it doesn’t always feel that way How to use data in a way that actually gets listened to A simple way to phrase concerns in meetings without sounding emotional or “difficult” What to say when you hit resistance (without losing your cool) Why writing things down matters more than you think How to build allies so you’re not advocating alone When it’s okay to escalate, and how to do it properly Why advocating for yourself matters just as much as advocating for students Big takeaways: Advocacy isn’t personal.. it’s professional Calm beats loud every single time Data tells a story when you give it context You don’t have to be confident to be effective, just prepared Small wins still count (and they add up) If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting thinking “I should’ve said that differently” or “why is this so hard?” .. this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how to advocate in a way that protects your students and your energy.

    11 min

  8. JAN 23

    When Your Student Regresses - How to Respond Without Panic

    Hey teacher friend... few things sting like seeing a student suddenly “lose” a skill they worked so hard for. One day they’re thriving, and the next, it’s like they’ve forgotten everything. Before you panic or question your teaching, take a breath - regression isn’t failure. It’s feedback. 💛 In this episode, we’re unpacking why regression happens, what it’s really telling you, and how to respond calmly, strategically, and compassionately - so your students (and you) can bounce back faster. What You’ll Learn Why regression is a normal part of learning, not a setback How to identify what’s really causing it (environmental, emotional, or developmental) How to adjust supports instead of restarting from scratch Ways to rebuild confidence, trust, and connection Language shifts that keep communication hopeful and professional Quick Tips Reframe it: “The skill needs a refresh,” not “We’re back to square one.” Identify the why: Look for changes in environment, emotion, or expectation. Adjust - don’t restart: Bring back visuals, routines, and scaffolds temporarily. Rebuild through connection: Safety before skill. Protect dignity: Support quietly and positively. Give yourself grace: Regression doesn’t mean you failed - it means you noticed. Regression isn’t a setback, it’s a signal. Your students aren’t losing progress; they’re reorganizing, recalibrating, and preparing for their next step forward.

    11 min
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About

Hi, I’m Nikki —a passionate special educator, autism specialist, and founder of Teaching Autism. With over a decade of experience creating hands-on, engaging resources for educators worldwide, I’m here to make your teaching journey easier, more effective, and a lot more fun! With each episode, I’ll bring you practical tips, creative strategies, and inspiring insights to help you thrive in your autism and special education classroom. From tackling behavior challenges to creating meaningful lesson plans, we’ll dive deep into what works—and what doesn’t—in the world of special education. You’ll find: ✅ Real-world strategies you can use tomorrow. ✅ Expert advice for creating inclusive, student-centered classrooms. ✅ Honest conversations about the joys and challenges of teaching. ✅ Plenty of laughs, relatable moments, and inspiration to keep you going. Whether you’re a seasoned educator, new to special education, or simply looking to level up your teaching game, this podcast is your go-to resource for empowering yourself and your students. Join me on this journey, and let’s build better classrooms together! Hit “subscribe” and tune in to each episode to fill your teaching toolbox with fresh ideas, tools, and motivation. Let’s make teaching less stressful and a whole lot more impactful!

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