Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast

Latest Episodes:

30. Building Yes Spaces So Autistic Kids Can Truly Lead Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Let Them Lead, Nicole Casey discusses the concept of "yes spaces" in therapy and educational settings, emphasizing their importance for both autistic students and educators. She explains how creating environments where children can explore safely without constant redirection fosters authentic communication and co-regulation. Nicole shares practical tips for setting up yes spaces, highlighting the balance between freedom and safety, and the benefits for both students and educators.

Takeaways:

Creating yes spaces allows children to explore safely.
Yes spaces reduce the need for constant redirection.
They foster authentic communication and co-regulation.
Yes spaces benefit both students and educators.
Balance between freedom and safety is crucial.
Yes spaces are not about chaos but thoughtful design.
Boundaries are built into the environment, not enforced.
Yes spaces make therapy feel lighter and freer.
They help educators focus on connection, not crisis management.
Yes spaces support nervous system regulation for all.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Yes Spaces 00:03:00 Benefits of Yes Spaces 00:06:00 Creating a Yes Space 00:09:00 Balancing Freedom and Safety 00:12:00 Practical Tips for Yes Spaces 00:15:00 Conclusion and Reflections

yes spaces, child-led therapy, autism, co-regulation, educational environments

29. It Wasn't the Child: How a Broken System Led to My Concussion Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges and emotional impact of working with autistic children, focusing on incidents where educators face physical injuries. She shares personal experiences, emphasizing the need for systemic change and proactive support to prevent such situations. Nicole advocates for understanding over blame and highlights the importance of co-regulation and emotional safety.

Takeaways

We need to talk about the hard things to move forward.
Injuries at work are not the child's fault.
Systemic issues contribute to workplace injuries.
Co-regulation is key to preventing incidents.
Blame should not be placed on children or staff.
Proactive support systems are necessary.
Understanding the nervous system is crucial.
Reflective debriefs can lead to real change.
Safety trainings should focus on prevention.
Advocacy is essential for systemic change.

autistic children, physical injuries, systemic change, co-regulation, emotional safety

27. It's Not Chaos: How to Explain Child-Led Therapy to Skeptical Parents and Teams Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses how to handle situations where one's approach in therapy is questioned or judged. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the root of such questions, often stemming from fear, and advocates for a collaborative and curiosity-driven response rather than defensiveness. The conversation also touches on setting boundaries with colleagues and the challenges of implementing child-led therapy, highlighting the need for clear communication and shared goals.

Takeaways

When feeling questioned, it's important to pause and reflect.
Defensiveness can hinder effective communication and learning.
Understanding the root of questions can lead to better responses.
Finding common ground helps in collaborative discussions.
Child-led therapy is evidence-based and not chaotic.
Protest from children can be a sign of autonomy, not failure.
Setting boundaries with colleagues is crucial for maintaining focus.
Providing clear information about therapy can alleviate concerns.
It's essential to connect and collaborate rather than convince.
Child-led therapy requires flexibility and self-awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Questions and Judgments 10:09 Defensive Responses and Their Impact 19:40 Finding Common Ground in Therapy 24:18 Setting Boundaries with Colleagues 31:22 The Challenges of Child-Led Therapy

therapy, child-led, communication, defensiveness, collaboration, behaviorism, GLP, education, parenting, professional boundaries

26. The Ripple Effect of Better Goals: How to Write What Truly Reflects Progress (+ Join the Free Workshop) Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Join our free Rubric workshop- happening TOMORROW at 7 PM EST!

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of writing meaningful goals in therapy, particularly for autistic students. She emphasizes the importance of aligning goals with therapeutic approaches and using dynamic assessments and rubric-based documentation to capture authentic progress. Nicole provides strategies for confidently defending these methods in conversations with administrators and highlights the need for a shift in how progress is measured to better support students' communication development.

Takeaways

Conversations about student goals can be challenging.
Goals often don't reflect actual progress seen in therapy.
It's important to align goals with therapeutic approaches.
Dynamic assessment can provide more meaningful data.
Rubric-based goals offer a clearer picture of progress.
Measurable goals should reflect real-life communication needs.
Testing and intervention should not be conflated.
Collaboration among team members enhances data collection.
Rubrics can help prevent vague or overloaded goals.
Confidence in goal writing can improve outcomes for students.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Goal Conversations in Therapy 03:45 The Importance of Meaningful Goals 09:32 Dynamic Assessment and Rubric-Based Goals 14:42 Defending Your Goal Writing Approach 29:11 The Future of Goal Writing in Therapy

goal writing, therapy, rubric-based goals, dynamic assessment, meaningful progress, autism, communication, IEP goals, data collection, child-led approach

25. Can They Just Be Kids? The Datafication of Autistic Childhood Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Join the FREE Rubric Reset Workshop, live on November 12:

Grab your free ticket here >> REGISTER NOW

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the unique challenges faced by autistic children in relation to their childhood experiences. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the balance between therapy and allowing children to simply be kids. The conversation highlights the need for unstructured time, the impact of excessive therapy, and the significance of quality over quantity in therapeutic approaches. Nicole encourages parents and professionals to prioritize the well-being and happiness of autistic children, advocating for a more holistic view of childhood that includes joy and relaxation alongside skill development.

Takeaways:

Autistic children experience childhood differently than neurotypical children.
Progress in therapy is not always linear and can fluctuate based on a child's emotional state.
Parents should sometimes reframe their perspective on their child's behavior to see it as part of being human.
Excessive therapy can lead to burnout and detract from a child's ability to simply enjoy childhood.
Quality of therapy is more important than the quantity of hours spent in therapy.
Children need unstructured time to play and explore without therapeutic demands.
Rest and downtime are essential for both children and families.
Parents should trust their instincts about what is best for their child.
Therapists should be mindful of the impact of their recommendations on a child's childhood.
Childhood should be a time for joy, exploration, and connection, not just therapy.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Childhood for Autistic Kids 07:18 The Impact of Therapy on Childhood 14:30 Quality Over Quantity in Therapy 22:30 Balancing Structure and Freedom 30:35 The Importance of Rest and Unstructured Time

autism, childhood, therapy, gestalt language processing, parenting, neurodiversity, child development, mental health, unstructured play, balance

24. The Real Reason Goal Writing Sucks (and What to Do About It) Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Join the FREE Rubric Reset Workshop, live on November 12:

Grab your free ticket here >> REGISTER NOW

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of writing effective goals for autistic students, emphasizing the limitations of traditional goal writing systems. She introduces rubrics as a solution to create individualized, meaningful, and measurable goals that reflect the child's needs. The conversation highlights the importance of moving away from compliance-based goals and focusing on authentic progress. Nicole also invites listeners to join her free Rubric Reset Workshop, where they can learn to implement this new approach in their practice.

Takeaways:

Goal writing can feel overwhelming and frustrating.
It's common to feel like goal writing is a personal struggle.
Traditional goal writing often doesn't reflect the child's needs.
The education system's limitations impact goal writing.
Compliance-based goals can hinder authentic progress.
Rubrics can streamline the goal writing process.
Individualization is key to effective goal setting.
Progress should be measured in a meaningful way.
Rubrics allow for capturing nuanced communication skills.
Advocacy is essential for changing the goal writing system.

Chapters

00:00 The Struggles of Goal Writing 02:47 Understanding the System's Flaws 06:05 The Compliance Trap in Goal Writing 08:46 Introducing Rubrics as a Solution 12:03 The Importance of Individualization 14:59 Measuring Progress Beyond Compliance 17:50 The Rubric Framework Explained 21:03 Capturing Authentic Progress 23:52 Implementing Rubrics in Practice 26:47 Preparing for the Rubric Reset Workshop

goal writing, autistic students, rubrics, compliance, individualized education, therapy, progress measurement, child-led therapy, IEP, education system

23. The Worst Goals for Autistic Students (As Told By Autistic Adults) Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the discomfort surrounding the topic of therapy goals for autistic children, emphasizing the importance of listening to autistic voices. She discusses the harmful nature of compliance-based goals, such as suppressing stimming and forcing eye contact, and advocates for a shift towards neuroaffirming, child-led therapy that prioritizes the child's needs and experiences. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration among therapy teams and the importance of empowering autistic individuals to advocate for themselves. Takeaways:

Discomfort can be a sign of growth and learning for us as professionals.
Listening to autistic voices is crucial in therapy.
Many traditional therapy goals can be harmful.
Suppressing stimming can hinder a child's regulation.
Eye contact is not necessary for effective communication.
Goals should focus on the child's needs, not compliance.
Neurotypical expectations can be limiting for autistic individuals.
Empowering children to self-advocate is essential.
Therapy should honor the child's authentic self.
Shifting from compliance to connection can change lives.

22. What to do When an Autistic Child is Not Engaging With Us Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges therapists face when children disengage during sessions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the reasons behind disengagement, advocating for a child-led approach, and recognizing signs of fatigue or burnout. Nicole shares strategies for managing disengagement, building trust with families, and reframing engagement. She encourages therapists to shift their mindset, prioritize connection, and be present with the child, even in quieter sessions. The conversation concludes with practical tips for therapists to enhance their practice and foster meaningful connections with their clients.

Disengagement is a common experience in therapy sessions.
It's important to understand the reasons behind a child's disengagement.
Child-led therapy focuses on following the child's lead.
Recognizing signs of fatigue can help tailor sessions effectively.
Effective communication with families is crucial for understanding the child's needs.
Therapists should prioritize building trust and connection with their clients.
Not every session will be filled with engagement; that's okay.
Therapists should reframe their understanding of engagement and disengagement.
Mindset shifts can enhance a therapist's effectiveness in sessions.
Practicing patience and presence can lead to meaningful connections.

21. Toxic Positivity Protects Systems, Not Us! Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the concept of toxic positivity, particularly in the context of workplace environments, especially in special education. She shares personal experiences and examples of how toxic positivity manifests in professional settings, often leading to a culture that dismisses genuine concerns and prioritizes a facade of happiness over accountability and safety. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity, open communication, and strategies to address toxic positivity to create healthier work environments.

Toxic positivity dismisses genuine feelings and experiences.
It often protects the system rather than individuals.
Authenticity is crucial in addressing workplace issues.
Leadership plays a significant role in perpetuating toxic positivity.
Ignoring safety concerns can have serious consequences.
Employees need to voice their concerns without fear of dismissal.
Creating a culture of honesty can improve work environments.
Strategies exist to combat toxic positivity effectively.
It's important to document concerns and seek accountability.
Small actions can lead to significant changes in workplace culture.

To learn more, visit www.childled.org or follow @thechildledslp on instagram!

20. Trauma-Informed Care and Child-Led Therapy Are Interconnected Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

To learn more, follow: @thechildledslp and @ptsd.slp

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of trauma-informed care in supporting autistic students. She emphasizes that trauma is widespread and often hidden, and that educators must approach their work with a mindset that prioritizes safety, trust, and connection. The discussion covers the four Rs of trauma-informed care, misconceptions about what it entails, the distinction between rules and boundaries, and practical strategies for implementing trauma-informed practices in educational settings. Casey shares real-life examples to illustrate the application of these principles, ultimately highlighting the interconnectedness of child-led and trauma-informed approaches in creating supportive environments for autistic children.

Trauma-informed care is essential for supporting autistic students.
Understanding trauma is crucial for effective education.
Child-led therapy must be trauma-informed to be effective.
Misconceptions about trauma-informed care can hinder progress.
Rules in therapy should be flexible and reconsidered.
Boundaries are about personal safety and respect.
Language choices can impact students with trauma.
Toxic positivity can be harmful in educational settings.
Transparency with students builds trust and safety.
Creating safe spaces is vital for student well-being.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected