In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Sue Larkey, an esteemed "pracademic," joining us to share her wealth of knowledge, combining practical experience and academic research. Sue and our host, Sharon Collon, dive deep into effective strategies for engaging children with ADHD and autism, emphasising the power of humour, and personalised communication techniques.

Sue traces her inspiration back to a challenging classroom experience, highlighting the lack of adequate resources and training that many teachers face. Together, Sharon and Sue explore the intricate dynamics between parents, teachers, and children, offering practical tips to foster a supportive and collaborative environment both at home and in school. From the significance of nonverbal communication and the nuanced approach to praise, to addressing rejection sensitivity and preventing teacher burnout, this episode is packed with actionable tips.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, tune in for a compassionate and enlightening discussion that promises to deepen your understanding and enhance your toolkit for supporting neurodiverse children. Let's get started!

Timestamps:
03:11 Collaboration with parents enhances child support effectiveness.
08:26 A teacher advocates for students like children.
10:54 Four positives to one negative builds relationships.
13:31 Tone affects children's perception of commands.
18:39 Teachers struggle to support autistic students effectively.
19:47 Birthday party akin to classroom environment challenges.
24:44 ADHD is genetic; treat each individual uniquely.
27:38 Adults need life systems, not work skills.
30:16 Change environment, structure for child readiness.
35:44 "Should" indicates comparison; prompts self-reflection.
38:19 Praise is individualised; "best" varies per person.
41:47 Completion, not praise, motivates ADHD children.
43:59 Addressing rejection sensitivity in neurodiverse children.
46:48 Reflect on successes and challenges in meetings.
49:13 Need regulation from teachers to avoid misperceptions.

About Sue: 
Sue Larkey is a highly respected educator, author, and speaker with extensive experience in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She has taught students in both mainstream and special education settings, combining practical experience with extensive research. Sue holds a Master’s in Special Education and has completed the research sections of her Doctorate in Education.

Sue’s podcast, the “Sue Larkey Podcast,” has over 1.4 million downloads across more than 200 episodes and is the #1 ranked Apple Podcast in Australia in the Course category. Her podcast resources are used by leading universities, including Monash University and Canberra University, to train teachers. She also has a global following, with over 135,000 subscribers to her weekly e-newsletter in more than 30 countries and a community of 130,000 Facebook followers.

Sue has authored over 18 books aimed at educators, teacher assistants, and parents/carers, and is a former winner of the Naturally Autistic International Award for Community Contribution. She has delivered hundreds of speeches at both international and national conferences, earning recognition as a trusted source of knowledge, compassion, and inspiration for educators, support workers, and families.

Connect with Sue:
Instagram: @sue.larkey
Facebook: Sue Larkey
Website: https://suelarkey.com.au/