15. How to Be Neurodiversity Affirming in a Compliance-Based System
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
Release Date: 07/01/2025
37. The Slippery Slope Fallacy & How It Shows Up When Supporting Autistic Students
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
Grab your ticket to Coaching Week: Unlearning Control HERE! In this episode, Nicole Casey explores the slippery slope fallacy, particularly in the context of child-led therapy and autism support. She discusses how the fear of losing control can lead to compliance-based approaches that hinder genuine connection and learning. By challenging these misconceptions, Nicole advocates for a more relationship-centered approach that honors children's autonomy while maintaining necessary boundaries. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, she emphasizes the importance of...
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36. Is Push-In Therapy Best Practice for Autistic Kids?
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Casey delves into the ongoing debate between pull-out and push-in therapy for autistic students in school settings. Drawing from her extensive experience, she discusses the effectiveness of both models, emphasizing the importance of individualized approaches and collaboration with teachers. Nicole shares personal anecdotes that highlight the impact of classroom environments on therapy outcomes and advocates for systemic changes to better support educators and students alike. The conversation encourages professionals to speak up and engage in meaningful...
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35. The Use of Control in Autistic Support
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
Join the waitlist for my upcoming coaching week: In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the harmful effects of control in supporting autistic children, particularly through the lens of instructional control. She emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships rather than relying on manipulative tactics that prioritize compliance over connection. Through personal anecdotes and critical analysis of common practices, Nicole advocates for a shift towards a child-led approach that fosters trust and autonomy. Takeaways: The episode addresses the harmful effects of...
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34. Better Goal Writing Begins With Our Mindset (It's Not Woo!)
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
Grab the FREE Quickstart to Rubric-Goal Writing resource In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses her journey with goal writing, particularly for autistic students. She shares her struggles with traditional goal writing methods and introduces rubric-based goals as a more effective alternative. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts in approaching goal writing, the need to question established norms, and the significance of aligning goals with personal and professional values. Nicole encourages educators and therapists to embrace new methods that better serve...
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33. The First 3 Communication Functions I Support With Autistic Students
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges faced by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) when supporting autistic students, particularly the difficulty of starting communication support without knowing the child well. She emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to identify key communication functions, such as asking for help, protesting, and directing actions. Nicole advocates for a child-led approach that empowers students to communicate authentically and autonomously, moving beyond traditional methods that may hinder their development. The conversation highlights the...
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32. Helping the Helpers: What Teams Really Need to Support Autistic Kids Well
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
In this episode, Nicole Casey emphasizes the critical importance of collaboration among professionals supporting autistic students. She discusses the need for empathy, trust, and understanding within teams, particularly focusing on the roles of paraprofessionals and support staff. Nicole shares practical strategies for building relationships, advocating for change, and fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes the well-being of both students and staff. The conversation highlights the systemic challenges faced by educators and the necessity of a team-centered approach to effectively...
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31. Eye contact, Quiet Hands, and Calm Body – The Trifecta of Harm
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...
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30. Building Yes Spaces So Autistic Kids Can Truly Lead
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
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...
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29. It Wasn’t the Child: How a Broken System Led to My Concussion
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
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...
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27. It's Not Chaos: How to Explain Child-Led Therapy to Skeptical Parents and Teams
Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast
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...
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Summary
In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of implementing child-led approaches in systems that prioritize compliance and data collection. She emphasizes the importance of community support, building confidence in one's therapeutic approach, and making small shifts to create a more neuroaffirming environment for students. The conversation highlights the need for professionals to connect with like-minded colleagues and advocate for change, even in challenging work environments. In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of empowering educators to adopt alternative approaches in their interactions with students, particularly those with communication challenges. She emphasizes the significance of reframing goals to prioritize connection, integrating sensory support, and navigating resistance within educational systems. Nicole also highlights the necessity of protecting one's energy while advocating for change, reminding listeners that every small shift contributes to a larger impact.
Takeaways:
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Child-led approaches can be challenging in compliance-driven systems.
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Small shifts can lead to significant changes in practice.
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Community support is crucial for professionals feeling isolated.
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Confidence in one's approach is essential to advocate for change.
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Finding like-minded colleagues can enhance professional growth.
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It's important to prioritize co-regulation in therapy sessions.
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Data collection should not overshadow relationship building with students.
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Advocacy can start with small, subtle changes in practice.
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Toxic work environments can hinder professional development.
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Empowerment comes from connecting with others who share similar values. Empowering educators to try alternative approaches can lead to significant changes.
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Reframing goals to prioritize connection enhances the therapeutic process.
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Integrating sensory support is crucial for student engagement and comfort.
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Navigating resistance in educational systems requires patience and strategic communication.
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Protecting your energy is essential for sustainable advocacy.
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Small shifts in practice can lead to meaningful changes in student experiences.
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Modeling empathetic approaches can inspire others to adopt new strategies.
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Understanding the culture of a school can help in advocating for change.
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Every moment of connection over control adds up to a larger impact.
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You are not alone in your advocacy efforts; there is a community of support.
Keywords:
child-led therapy, neuroaffirming, systemic challenges, community support, confidence in therapy, small shifts, empowerment, education, autism support, professional development, education, advocacy, sensory support, child-led approach, communication, professional development, empowerment, reframing goals, resistance, burnout