Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year when the real holiday stress hits. Not from the students. Not even from admin.
From parents… and from ourselves.

Between “Will there be a Christmas concert?” emails and “Can you send one more progress update?” requests, it can feel impossible to keep up.
In this episode, we’re talking about how to handle parent pressure and classroom expectations before the holidays, with grace, clear boundaries, and a bit of humor.

• Why parent pressure often comes from love (and worry, not criticism)

• How to use proactive communication to reduce stress for everyone

• Ways to balance festive fun with realistic IEP and classroom goals

• Simple boundary phrases that protect your time and energy

• Why your calm, predictable classroom matters more than perfection

• Send short, consistent updates to prevent last-minute questions

• Share wins before parents ask for progress

• Set clear expectations for special events (“No costumes needed”)

• Reframe “Can you also…?” requests with kindness and boundaries

• Remember: purpose beats perfection, simple activities count too

You don’t owe anyone “extra.”
You owe your students your calm, your care, and your energy, and that’s already more than enough.
So give yourself grace, set those boundaries, and remember: your classroom’s magic comes from belonging, not glitter.

Hey teacher friend, let’s get real for a minute.
The holidays are coming, your classroom smells like candy canes and chaos, and somewhere between the glitter and the Christmas concerts… the teacher guilt starts creeping in.

That little voice that says:

“I should be doing more.”
“I feel bad saying no.”
“Maybe I can squeeze in just one more thing.”

In this episode, we’re talking about teacher guilt and boundaries before the holidays.. why guilt shows up, what it’s really trying to tell you, and how to protect your time and energy without feeling bad about it.

• Why guilt hits hardest right before school breaks

• The cost of always saying “yes” (and what it’s taking from you)

• Practical ways to set time, energy, and emotional boundaries

• How saying “no” actually helps your students too

• A mindset shift to replace guilt with grounded self-care

When guilt says “You should be doing more,” reframe it as:

“I’m saying yes to something that matters more right now.”
Whether that’s rest, family time, or simply leaving work on time — it all counts.

You don’t have to make the holidays magical... you just have to make them manageable.
Your students don’t need a perfect teacher; they need a present one.
Rest is productive. Boundaries are brave. You deserve both.

Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year again! The classroom is buzzing with pre-holiday excitement, glitter is everywhere, and students seem to have collectively decided that rules are optional.

When chaos hits, it’s easy to reach for more consequences... more visuals, more reminders, more “If you don’t do this, you’ll lose that.”
But here’s the truth: our neurodivergent students don’t need more consequences… they need more consistency.

In this episode, I’m sharing why consistency builds safety, why consequences often backfire, and how small predictable routines can make your classroom calmer, happier, and more connected this season.

• Why predictability = safety for neurodivergent students

• The difference between regulating through consistency vs. reacting with consequences

• Simple ways to keep routines steady during chaotic holiday weeks

• How calm, predictable responses build trust and reduce anxiety

• Keep morning and goodbye routines the same, even when the schedule changes

• Show visual reminders for special events or surprises

• Stay calm and steady... your tone is their safety cue

• Replace “Stop or you’ll lose recess” with “I can see this is hard. Let’s take a break.”

Your students don’t need a perfect teacher... they need a predictable one.

Hey teacher friend, it’s Halloween season! 🎃
The lights are flashing, the sugar rush is real, and your classroom suddenly looks like a superhero convention. But amidst all the fun, you might start to notice some big reactions... crying, covering ears, running off, or meltdowns that seem to appear out of nowhere.

So today, we’re diving into how to tell the difference between a sensory overload and a tantrum, because while they might look similar, they come from completely different places.

• What sensory overload actually is (and why it’s not attention-seeking)

• The key differences between overloads and tantrums

• Why Halloween can be a sensory storm for neurodivergent students

• Simple classroom tweaks to reduce overwhelm and build calm

• How empathy (not discipline) changes everything

• Tone down the chaos: Swap flashing lights for soft ones and keep noise levels gentle.

• Offer sensory breaks: A calm corner or quick movement break can save the day.

• Prep for change: Use visuals or mini social stories for costumes and parties.

• Give choices: Participation looks different for every student, and that’s okay.

• Lead with empathy: Replace “He’s being dramatic” with “He’s overwhelmed right now.”

Before your Halloween celebrations, pause and ask:

“What might feel overwhelming in my classroom?”
A few small adjustments can turn potential meltdowns into moments of magic.

Our students aren’t overreacting, they’re overwhelmed.

Hey teacher friend, today we’re talking about a phrase we’ve all used: “challenging behavior.”
You know those moments when a student shouts out, refuses to transition, or throws their work on the floor… and we sigh, “They’re having some challenging behavior today.”

But here’s the truth: the behavior isn’t what’s challenging, the situation is challenging for the student.

In this episode, I’m unpacking why that phrase doesn’t sit right anymore, what it really communicates, and how shifting our language changes everything.

• Why “challenging behavior” focuses on our struggle, not the child’s experience

• How behavior is actually communication, not defiance

• The harm of labeling kids as “difficult” or “naughty”

• Simple mindset shifts like: “He’s having a hard time communicating,” not “He’s being challenging.”

Every time you see what looks like challenging behavior, remind yourself:

“This isn’t a challenge to me, it’s a message from them.”

Visual supports aren’t just for daily schedules or First-Then boards, they’re powerful tools that can transform every part of your classroom. From communication and regulation to academics and behavior, visuals help make learning accessible, predictable, and safe for all students.

In this episode, I’m sharing why visuals work, how to adapt them for different ages, and practical ways to use them beyond the schedule, so your students gain more independence, clarity, and confidence.

✨ Why visuals are more than “cute picture cards” and how they support processing, memory, and regulation
✨ How to use visuals for transitions (without overwhelm)
✨ Ways to embed visuals into emotional regulation and calm corners
✨ Communication supports for non-speaking, minimally verbal, and stressed students
✨ Academic and behavior visuals that increase independence and success
✨ How to adapt visuals for older students so they feel age-appropriate and respectful
✨ A rapid-fire checklist of places to use visuals beyond the daily schedule

1. Explore ready-to-use Visual Support resources for communication, regulation, and routines in my TpT store.

2. Come connect with me on Instagram @teachingautism - share your favorite classroom visuals or tag me in your setups, I love seeing how you’re supporting your students!

👉 Tune in and discover how to use visuals everywhere, not just on the wall schedule, and watch your students’ confidence, regulation, and independence soar.

Peer conflict is part of every classroom, especially in SPED. But how we respond to hitting, shouting, pushing, or grabbing makes all the difference. Instead of punishment and shame, we can use these moments to teach regulation, communication, and repair.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why conflict happens, how to respond in a neuro-affirming way, and practical strategies for turning tough moments into powerful learning opportunities for both students involved.

✨ Why conflict is communication, not “bad behavior”
✨ The importance of regulation before education
✨ How to debrief and reflect when students are calm
✨ Ways to teach missing skills like asking for space or saying “stop”
✨ Why shame, isolation, and punishment don’t work (and what to do instead)
✨ How to support the other student in conflict with validation and empowerment
✨ How to build a classroom culture where mistakes are safe and repair is supported

• Explore visuals, social stories, and regulation supports for teaching conflict resolution.

• Share your classroom wins with me on Instagram @teachingautism - I love seeing how you’re handling conflict with compassion in your classrooms.

👉 Tune in and learn how to reframe peer conflict from a punishment moment into a powerful opportunity for connection, skill-building, and growth.

Taking away recess as a punishment is still happening in far too many classrooms, but does it actually work? Spoiler: it doesn’t. In fact, it often makes the problem worse, especially for our neurodivergent students who need recess the most.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why I don’t agree with using recess as a consequence, what the research says about its importance, the harm this practice causes, and practical alternatives you can use instead to support student behavior and learning.

✨ Why recess is not a reward, it’s a developmental necessity
✨ The research that proves recess supports focus, regulation, and learning
✨ How removing recess harms autistic and ADHD students in particular
✨ Why this practice doesn’t teach the skills students are missing
✨ Positive, neuro-affirming alternatives to use instead of taking away recess
✨ How to protect play while still addressing behavior and academic needs

• Explore more neuro-affirming classroom strategies and visual supports on my TpT store and the Teaching Autism blog.

• Let’s connect on Instagram @teachingautism—share your experiences with recess in your school, I’d love to hear how you’re protecting play for your students!

👉 Tune in and discover why recess should never be taken away, and what to do instead when you’re faced with challenging behavior.