Season 2
Episodes
How to Stop Taking Student Behavior Personally
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about one of the hardest emotional parts of teaching that nobody really prepares you for: taking student behavior...
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How to Stay Empathetic When You’re Exhausted
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that so many teachers quietly struggle with, staying empathetic when you’re completely drained.
If you’re tired,...
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Fine Motor Fatigue: Why Some Students Resist Cutting, Writing, and Gluing
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something every SPED teacher has experienced... the student who refuses to cut, write, or glue… and the moment you start...
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How to Create a Communication-Rich Classroom
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about how to create a communication-rich classroom - not by pushing students to talk more, but by designing an environment that...
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Building Real Social Connections (Not Forced Friendships)
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 forced friendships and one-size-fits-all “social skills.”
Because real...
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Supporting Echolalia in a Neuro-Affirming Way
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 correct.
Because echolalia isn’t “random.” It isn’t meaningless. And...
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Teaching Communication Beyond Words
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about communication, and not just speech.
Because every student communicates. Not every student uses words.
And that doesn’t make...
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Why Movement Isn’t a Distraction — It’s a Need
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... “Sit still and focus.”
And honestly? For neurodivergent learners,...
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Helping Students Recover from Sensory Overload
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about the moment after a meltdown, when the room is quiet, everyone’s drained, and you’re wondering… okay, now what?
Because what...
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Noise, Light, and Movement: How the Environment Impacts Behavior
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that’s often missed in behavior conversations - the environment.
Because sometimes it’s not the reward system, the...
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The Truth About Reinforcement: Motivation vs. Manipulation
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about reinforcement.. and why it can feel so uncomfortable sometimes.
Because yes, reinforcement works. But it can also start to...
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What To Do When a Student Refuses Everything
In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about refusal... the kind where you plan everything perfectly and your student still says “no”… or shuts down completely.
Arms...
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