15. How to Be Neurodiversity Affirming in a Compliance-Based System
Download The Child-Led Answer Guide here! 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: Child-led approaches can be challenging in compliance-driven systems. Small shifts can lead to significant changes in practice. Community support is crucial for professionals feeling isolated. Confidence in one's approach is essential to advocate for change. Finding like-minded colleagues can enhance professional growth. It's important to prioritize co-regulation in therapy sessions. Data collection should not overshadow relationship building with students. Advocacy can start with small, subtle changes in practice. Toxic work environments can hinder professional development. Empowerment comes from connecting with others who share similar values. Empowering educators to try alternative approaches can lead to significant changes. Reframing goals to prioritize connection enhances the therapeutic process. Integrating sensory support is crucial for student engagement and comfort. Navigating resistance in educational systems requires patience and strategic communication. Protecting your energy is essential for sustainable advocacy. Small shifts in practice can lead to meaningful changes in student experiences. Modeling empathetic approaches can inspire others to adopt new strategies. Understanding the culture of a school can help in advocating for change. Every moment of connection over control adds up to a larger impact. 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
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14. Avoiding Power Struggles With Autistic Students
Join the waitlist for the free Child-Led Autism Summit! https://thechildledslp.myflodesk.com/summitwaitlist Summary In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the detrimental effects of compliance-based therapy on communication and relationships, particularly with autistic students. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding power struggles, advocating for a shift towards child-led and neuroaffirming approaches that prioritize connection and co-regulation over control. The discussion highlights the need for educators and caregivers to preserve relationships and create safe environments for authentic communication. Takeaways Power struggles often arise from compliance-based approaches. Compliance-based therapy can lead to negative interactions and dysregulation. It's essential to view noncompliance as a potential internal struggle rather than defiance. Preserving relationships is more important than winning power struggles. Regulation should be prioritized before any demands are made on children. Humor and silliness can diffuse tense situations with children. Children deserve to express their emotions and frustrations. Advocating for change in compliance-based systems is crucial for better outcomes. Practicing standing up for values in low-stakes situations can build confidence. Connection and co-regulation are key to fostering meaningful communication. Keywords power struggles, compliance-based therapy, authentic communication, autistic students, co-regulation, child-led approach, neuroaffirming strategies, relationship preservation, education, therapy
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13. Supporting Autistic Kids Through Challenging Behaviors: Reframing, Understanding, and Responding with Connection
www.childled.org In this episode, Nicole Casey explores how to support autistic children during challenging moments by reframing behaviors as stress responses rather than defiance. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of these behaviors, which are often linked to the child's nervous system and anxiety levels. The conversation covers practical strategies for preventing dysregulation, recognizing early signs of stress, and the importance of co-regulation. Nicole also discusses the need for adults to adjust their expectations and environments to better support autistic children, ultimately advocating for a shift from control to connection in educational settings. Takeaways Understanding behaviors as stress responses is crucial. Changing our perspective can significantly impact support. Recognizing early signs of dysregulation is key. The four F's of nervous system responses are fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Preventing unnecessary stressors helps maintain regulation. Co-regulation is essential during challenging moments. Post-dysregulation, reconnecting with the child is important. Adjusting expectations can prevent meltdowns. Children do their best with the skills they have. Shifting from control to connection changes lives.
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12. Describing & Defining What We Actually Do In Child-Led Therapy
Download the Free Framing Guide Here In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of articulating the value of child-led therapy sessions. She emphasizes the importance of reframing how therapists describe their work to parents and educators, focusing on the relational and developmental outcomes rather than traditional metrics of success. Through a structured 'framing framework', she provides a method for therapists to confidently explain their sessions, ensuring that the significance of their work is recognized and understood. Child-led approaches can feel challenging due to external judgments. Articulating the value of therapy sessions is crucial for understanding. Therapists often minimize their work due to traditional expectations. The real work in therapy is often relational and developmental. Parents may not understand the nuances of child-led therapy. A structured framework can help therapists explain their sessions. Therapists should highlight the skills practiced during sessions. Regulation and trust are foundational for effective therapy. Therapists need to recognize and document progress beyond compliance. Collaboration with parents and educators enhances therapy outcomes. This podcast is reviewed by our team member, Meghann Beaton, who is an autistic adult. Meghann provides feedback and recommended edits priort to releasing our episodes to help ensure our content remains aligned with neuroaffirming principles and lived experience. We are deeply grateful for her insights, which continue to shape this space into one that centers safety, connection, and authentic communication.
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11. Is 80% Accuracy the Best Way to Measure Autistic Students' Progress?
Join The Child-Led Collective as a Founding Member for only $20/mo: Learn More & Join the Community Here! In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the complexities and challenges of writing effective therapy goals, particularly focusing on the common practice of measuring progress with 80% accuracy. She reflects on her personal struggles with goal writing and emphasizes the need for more meaningful and individualized goals that align with a child-led approach. The discussion encourages therapists to rethink traditional measurement methods and consider how they can better support their students' unique needs. In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the complexities of setting effective communication goals for children, particularly those with autism. She emphasizes the importance of meaningful, individualized goals that reflect authentic communication rather than rigid metrics. Nicole introduces the concept of using an Aligned Rubric to track progress in a more nuanced way, focusing on frequency and context rather than strict accuracy. She also announces the launch of the Child-Led Collective, a membership aimed at supporting professionals in child-led therapy practices. 80% accuracy is often misapplied in goal writing. Goals should be meaningful and individualized. Therapists often feel pressured to conform to traditional metrics. Child-led approaches require flexibility in goal measurement. Overthinking can hinder effective goal writing. Goals should reflect authentic communication, not just compliance. The history of 80% accuracy is rooted in tradition, not necessity. Vague goals can lead to less progress for students. Therapists need creative liberty to measure progress effectively. It's important to challenge the status quo in goal writing. It's important to lead by example in team discussions. Goals should reflect authentic communication, not just metrics. Communication success should not be solely based on word count. Goals need to be individualized for each child's needs. Research supports the need for meaningful, flexible goals. Using rubrics can help track progress in a child-led way. Rubrics allow for customization and creativity in goal setting. The Child-Led Collective will provide resources for professionals. You can measure growth in ways that honor student development. This podcast is reviewed by our team member, Meghann Beaton, who is an autistic adult. Meghann provides feedback and recommended edits priort to releasing our episodes to help ensure our content remains aligned with neuroaffirming principles and lived experience. We are deeply grateful for her insights, which continue to shape this space into one that centers safety, connection, and authentic communication.
Hosted by Nicole Casey, speech-language pathologist and founder of The Child-Led SLP, Let Them Lead is the go-to podcast for professionals and caregivers who want to support autistic kids with respect, trust, and connection.
Each week, we explore child-led, neuroaffirming approaches to communication, play, and therapy—centered around the belief that autistic kids deserve communication partners who honor and support them holistically. Whether you're navigating gestalt language processing, AAC, sensory differences, or just want to break free from compliance-based systems, you're in the right place.
You'll hear honest conversations, practical strategies, and plenty of real-life examples to help you unlearn old habits and confidently support the kids you love or work with. No behavior charts. No rigid protocols. Just curiosity, compassion, and the freedom to follow your autistic child's lead.
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