Teaching Autism and Special Education by Nikki
Episodes
How to Create a Communication-Rich Classroom
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about how to create a communication-rich classroom - not by pus...
Building Real Social Connections (Not Forced Friendships)
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about social connection, and why it’s time to move away from ...
Supporting Echolalia in a Neuro-Affirming Way
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about echolalia - and why it’s not something to stop, fix, or...
Teaching Communication Beyond Words
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about communication, and not just speech. Because every student...
Why Movement Isn’t a Distraction — It’s a Need
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Helping Students Recover from Sensory Overload
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about the moment after a meltdown, when the room is quiet, ever...
Noise, Light, and Movement: How the Environment Impacts Behavior
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that’s often missed in behavior conversations...
The Truth About Reinforcement: Motivation vs. Manipulation
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about reinforcement.. and why it can feel so uncomfortable some...
What To Do When a Student Refuses Everything
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about refusal... the kind where you plan everything perfec...
Advocacy Skills for Teachers: How to Make Change (Even When You Feel Stuck)
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about advocacy — the kind you need when you know what a stude...
When Your Student Regresses - How to Respond Without Panic
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The Least Dangerous Assumption & The Presumption of Competence
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, today we’re diving into one of my favorite topics: The Least Dangerous Assumption, also known as The Presumption of Competence. ...
How to Interpret Behavior Data - What It Really Tells You
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend - you’ve been tracking, tallying, and color-coding behavior data… but now you’re wondering, “Okay, what do I actually do wi...
De-escalation Techniques You Can Use Right Now
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, we’ve all been there. The tone shifts, a student’s body tenses, and you can feel the energy in the room change. What you do in...
What Are Low-Prep Strategies for Inclusion in General Classrooms?
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, let’s talk inclusion. 💛 We all believe in it, but between IEPs, sensory supports, and a million tiny details, inclusion can s...
Handling Parent Pressure and Classroom Expectations Around the Holidays
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, it’s that time of year when the real holiday stress hits. Not from your students. Not from admin. But from parents (and let’s ...
Inclusive Holiday Fun - Activities That Work for Everyone
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, feeling buried under glitter and wrapping paper right now? 🎄 If planning “fun” holiday activities feels more stressful than...
What to Do When Your Students “Lose Skills” Over the Holidays
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, picture the scene.. it’s January, the laminator’s jammed, and your students suddenly seem to have forgotten everything.Co...
Errorless Learning and Low-Pressure Activities for Busy Holiday Weeks
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, the holidays are here! 🎄 The tree’s up, the glitter’s flying, and your classroom smells like glue sticks and cocoa. But bet...
Handling Parent Pressure and Classroom Expectations Around the Holidays
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Teacher Guilt and Boundaries Before the Holidays
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Why Consistency Matters More Than Consequences
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Sensory Overload or Tantrum? Understanding the Difference
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, it’s Halloween season! 🎃 The lights are flashing, the sugar rush is real, and your classroom suddenly looks like a superhero ...
Why We Should Stop Calling It “Challenging Behavior”
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey teacher friend, today we’re talking about a phrase we’ve all used: “challenging behavior.” You know those moments when a student shouts ou...
Visual Supports Beyond the Schedule - How to Use Them Everywhere
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Handling Peer Conflict in a Neuro-Affirming Way
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Peer conflict is part of every classroom, especially in SPED. But how we respond to hitting, shouting, pushing, or grabbing makes all the difference. ...
Why I Don’t Agree with Taking Away Recess - And What to Do Instead
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Supporting Autistic Students with Transitions and Change
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Transitions don’t have to be chaotic or meltdown-inducing. For autistic students, change can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, structure,...
How to Set Up a Visual Schedule That Actually Gets Used
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Visual schedules are one of the most powerful tools in a SPED teacher’s toolkit, but only if students actually use them. In this episode, I’m walk...
Using Scripts and Echolalia to Build Language Naturally
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Echolalia and scripting are often misunderstood as “parroting” or “meaningless talk.” But the truth? They’re powerful communication tools an...
Building Communication Skills Through Play
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Play isn’t “just play” - it’s one of the most powerful ways to support communication growth. In this episode, we’re diving into how to turn ...
How to Incorporate Core Vocabulary into Everyday Routines
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core vocabulary isn’t just a buzzword, it’s one of the most powerful tools we can use to help our students communicate, connect, and grow. But her...
Why Sensory Breaks Aren’t “Breaks” - They’re Regulation Tools
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever been told your students are “just getting out of work” when they take a sensory break? Or that they “need to learn to sit still”? In toda...
Sensory 101 – Understanding Your Students' Sensory Systems
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey friends! In this episode of Teaching Autism and Special Education, we’re diving into one of the most misunderstood (but hug...
What to Do When Nothing Seems to Work: Behavior Troubleshooting
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey lovely humans! Ever had one of those “I’ve tried everything and NOTHING is working” moments? Yeah… same. In this epis...
Supporting Students with Aggression or Meltdowns - Without Punishment
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey hey, welcome back to Teaching Autism and Special Education! Today, we’re talking about one of the toughest (and most misund...
Creating Behavior Plans That Actually Work in SPED
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey friends! Today we’re getting into the real stuff, behavior plans that actually work. Not just the ones that check a box or ...
5 Easy Behavior Strategies You Can Start Using Tomorrow
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey hey! In this episode of Teaching Autism and Special Education, we’re keeping it simple, practical, and real, because let’...
Why Is My Student Acting Out? Understanding Behavior as Communication
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
👋 Episode Summary Hey friends! In today’s episode, we’re diving into something we all deal with in the classroom: challenging behavior. But her...
Creating a Calm and Organized Learning Space
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m talking all about something that has completely transformed my classroom (and my sanity!) over the years - creating...
Bringing Board Games into the Special Ed Classroom
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite classroom hacks that brings joy, engagement, and so much hidden learning into the day -&...
Using Task Boxes for Calm-Down Time and Regulation
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most underrated (but totally magical) ways I use task boxes in my classroom - to support calm-do...
Using Task Boxes to Support IEP Goals (Without Worksheets!)
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m breaking down one of my favorite ways to support IEP goals — and the best part? No worksheets required. 🙌 If y...
How I Organize My Task Boxes Without Losing My Mind
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most requested topics from teachers like you - how I organize my task boxes without turning ...
My Favourite End-of-Year Theme Days (and How I Make Them Work Every Year!)
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friend! In this episode, I’m spilling all the details on one of my favourite ways to wrap up the school year: theme days! If you’ve been aroun...
How I Prep at the End of the Year (So I Can Actually Enjoy My Summer)
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎧 Episode Description: Hey friend! In today’s episode of the Teaching Autism podcast, I’m spilling all my secrets for how I wrap up the school ...
Building Friendships & Battling Bullying with Yara from Sea of Knowledge
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Teaching Autism podcast! In this heart-filled episode, I’m joined by the incredible Yara from Sea of Knowledge to ...
The Importance of Identity-First Language
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s been debated for years in the autism and special education world, the language we use when ...
The Power of Special Interests
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the podcast! Today we’re diving into one of my absolute favorite topics — special interests, and why they deserve to be celeb...
What Autistic Voices Want You to Know This April
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this heartfelt episode, I’m passing the mic (with full permission and lots of gratitude) to a few amazing Autistic friends who shared what they&n...
Busting Autism Myths & Embracing Acceptance
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hey friends, welcome back to the podcast, and welcome to a special episode for Autism Acceptance Month 💛 In this one, we’re busting some of the b...
5 Things You Can Do This Autism Acceptance Month
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a special episode for Autism Acceptance Month 💛 Awareness is a good start — but this episode is all about what comes next: real accept...
From Awareness to Acceptance – Embracing Autism this April
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode, we’re talking all about the shift from Autism Awareness Month to Autism Acceptance Month—and why that change is so important...
Special Educator FAQ – Your Top Questions Answered!
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Today’s episode is all about your biggest questions! Whether you're new to special education or have been in the field for years, y...
Managing Transitions: Helping Autistic Students Move from One Activity to Another
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Transitions can be one of the biggest challenges in a special education classroom. Moving from one activity to another—whether it’...
The Power of Visual Supports: Why Every Classroom Needs Them
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Visual supports aren’t just helpful—they’re game changers! If you’ve ever wondered why they’re so widely used in special ed...
How to Handle Meltdowns in the Classroom
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Meltdowns can be one of the biggest challenges in special education. When a student loses control—screaming, crying, hitting, or th...
5 Strategies for Head Banging & Head Butting
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Head banging and head butting can be some of the most concerning behaviors to witness in the classroom, especially when working with ...
5 Strategies for Biters
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Overview Biting can be one of the most challenging behaviors to navigate in the classroom, especially when working with autistic students or t...
5 Tips for Creating Consistency Between School and Home
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I share five actionable tips for creating consistency between school and home to help students feel secure, understand expectations, ...
5 Ways to Collect Data When Students Are Using Task Boxes
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m sharing five practical and efficient ways to collect data while using task boxes in the classroom. Task boxes are fantastic too...
What Does "Age-Appropriate" Really Mean in the Classroom?
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I dive into the idea of "age-appropriate" in special education and why it’s okay (and often beneficial) when students gravitate tow...
Building Independence in the Special Ed Classroom
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite topics: building independence in the special ed classroom. We’ll explore why independence is s...
The Great Unicorn Chase: Finding Work-Life Balance as a Teacher
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary:In this episode, I’m diving into a topic that I know we’ve all struggled with at some point: work-life balance. If you’ve ever b...
Dusting Off the Mic: Back to Podcasting with Nikki
10 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back! It’s been a long time since my last episode, but I’m so excited to be here with fresh energy, exciting updates, and a renewed passio...
Teachers, Enjoy Your Summer Break!
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast is an episode that is really important to me.. Teachers, Enjoy Your Summer Break! And it’s something that I feel really passion...
Ending the School Year Positively
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I’m discussing ending the school year positively. Let’s face it, the end of the school year can be tough, stressful and very ...
5 Must-Do's for the New School Year
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited today to be sharing my 5 must-do’s for the new school year. I always get asked about what my to-do list looks like for the new schoo...
End of Year Tips for Special Education Teachers
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited to be sharing my 5 end of year tips for special education teachers in this podcast episode. It’s really important to have a good pla...
Keeping Students Engaged at the End of the Year
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I think it’s safe to say we all know how hard it is keeping students engaged at the end of the year. Over the years, I’ve really tried a number of...
5 Tips for Transitioning Students
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am sharing my top 5 tips for transitioning students to a new classroom or even school. Transition can be tough – not just for...
Book Creator App: Making Reading Fun Series
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to my ‘Making Reading Fun’ mini podcast series. Today on the podcast I’m talking all about the ‘Book Creator’ app for the third and ...
Sensory Stories: Making Reading Fun Series
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to my ‘Making Reading Fun’ mini podcast series. Today on the podcast I’m talking all about sensory stories for the second episode in thi...
Story Sacks: Making Reading Fun Series
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to my ‘Making Reading Fun’ mini podcast series. Today on the podcast I’m talking all about story sacks for the first episode in this min...
Stop Being a Yes Person! Teacher Edition
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode today I’m talking about why you need to stop being a yes person! (Teacher edition, of course!) I don’t know about you, but...
5 Secrets to a Happy Classroom
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am sharing 5 secrets to a happy classroom with you. Now it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in the classroom all day, everyday...
Why Is Early Intervention Important?
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the podcast today I am answering a question that gets sent to me a lot.. ‘Why is early intervention important?’ Early intervention is becomi...
Using Crime Scenes in the Classroom
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode I am talking all about using crime scenes in the classroom. Since sharing about the crime scenes that I use on my Instagram st...
Delegating Jobs to Classroom Staff
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am talking all about delegating jobs to classroom staff. This is a really important subject to cover. Because I think it's very...
Virtual IEP Meeting Tips for Teachers
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Another 'new' thing that has been thrown at us this year are online meetings. And today I am so excited to share my 10 virtual IEP meeting tips with y...
It's OK to Be Angry
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am talking all about why it's ok to be angry. And that goes for our students, as well as us staff. Originally, I was going to d...
Celebrating Chinese New Year in Special Ed
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I'm talking all about celebrating Chinese New Year in Special Ed. We love to celebrate Chinese New Year. And over the years, we'v...
Teaching World Holidays in Special Ed
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I'm always asked about teaching world holidays in special ed. And so in this episode today, I'm sharing my top 7 reasons why I teach about holidays ar...
5 Self-Care Ideas for Teachers
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited on the podcast today to be sharing 5 self-care ideas for teachers to try. Last week I was talking all about setting personal goals. An...
Setting Personal Goals for 2021
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I am so shocked by the amount of education professionals who are no longer setting personal goals for the year ahead. We get so caught up doing all th...
Classroom Rules After Break Refresher
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I think we all share the same pain of classroom rules after break. Any break. Whether it's winter break or summer. It seriously has an effect on our c...
Teacher Planning Tips for 2021
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited to sharing my top 5 teacher planning tips with you in this podcast episode. If you follow me on social media, or even on here, you'll ...
5 Ways to Take Data During Virtual Teaching
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us are still virtual teaching - or we're about to go back virtual teaching. So I thought today I would share 5 ways to take data during virtua...
Parent Teacher Relationship Breakdown Tips
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am sharing 5 parent teacher relationship breakdown tips (plus a bonus!) for you. This is a really important topic because it’...
Virtual Field Trips in Special Education
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been wondering about using virtual field trips in special education? If so, this podcast episode today is the perfect listen for you. My ...
How to Use Social Narratives With Your Students
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I'm always getting asked how to use social narratives with our students - either in school or at home. So I decided to dedicate this podcast episode t...
Teacher Mental Health and Well-Being Tips
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I am sharing some tips for improving teacher mental health. This weekend was World Mental Health Day. And it was both saddening a...
Using Paraprofessionals for Distance Learning
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of you have been asking for ways you can be using paraprofessionals for distance learning. In this quick episode I'm sharing different ideas and ...
Autism Behavior Unit Success
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited today to share my autism behavior unit success with you all. I currently work part time as an autism specialist in a behavior unit in ...
Celebrating Students Birthdays Online
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I'm so excited today to be sharing some ideas for how you can be celebrating students birthdays online this year. I don't know about you but every yea...
Cyber Safety and Screen Time Management for Parents
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I'm talking with Lisa Honold all about cyber safety and screen time management. Lisa is a cyber safety expert and certified...
Using ABA in Instruction
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I am so excited to welcome Cassie from Adventures in Behavior to the podcast today to talk all about using ABA in instruction. Cassie is in her 8t...
Keeping Students Active During Online Learning
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast I’m talking all about ways that you can keep your students active during online learning. Online learning poses a lot ...
Reward Systems for Online Learning
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today in this podcast episode I’m talking all about reward systems for online learning. Almost every student responds positively to having a reward ...
Going Back to School After Closures
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode I am sharing my top 10 best tips for helping you and your students prepare for returning to the classroom after school closure...