This episode explores a nervous system responsive approach to teaching in the classroom, highlighting the importance of prioritizing connection and regulation to optimise children’s nervous systems for learning.

Key Take Aways

• Identifying behavioural signs children are outside of their window of tolerance.
• Effects of stress on the hippocampus and short-term memory.
• Connection and regulation as the foundation for learning.
• Building Connection with Students
  • One on One time - Developing empathy and understanding of each student’s unique experiences.
  • Welcoming emotional support tools like toys and sensory items.
  • Importance of micro-connections.
  • Empowering self advocacy in the classroom.
  • Check ins.
• Supporting Regulation
  • Working with Ots and using sensory profiles to inform sensory accommodations and supports in the classroom.
  • Examples of classroom accommodations to reduce sensory and cognitive demands.
  • Providing opportunities for cognitive overload recovery.
  • Play as a powerful tool for nervous system regulation.

This Week’s Recommendations

• Instagram Account: @a_different_spectrum
• Emotional Wellbeing and Learning Plan
• Self Advocacy Communication Book
• Quiet Corner inspo on Pinterest

In this episode we’re taking a closer look at our brain’s structures and functions, the impact our experiences have on our nervous system and the implications for learning and engagement in the classroom.

Key Take Aways

Dr. Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain

• Visualizing the brain’s structures using the hand
• Cortex, limbic system, and brainstem explained

Brain Integration and the Upstairs/Downstairs Analogy

• The brain as a two-story house: upstairs (cortex) and downstairs (limbic system and brainstem)
• Importance of brain integration for learning and engaging with others

Factors That Disrupt Brain Integration

• Cognitive overload and environmental stressors
• The "cliff-hanger" analogy: prefrontal cortex losing control

Flipping the Lid

• The stress response: Fight, flight, freeze, fawn

Window of Tolerance

• Introduction to the Window of Tolerance
• States of hyper-arousal and hypo-arousal
• Impact of stress on learning and engagement in the classroom

• Differences in window size and stress management
• Impact of trauma, chronic stress, and neurotypes on the window of tolerance

Self Care for Teachers

• As adults, the importance of prioritising our own nervous system.

Recommended Resources

• Dr Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson’s book ‘The Whole Brain Child’
• Dr Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain video
• Perth Children’s Occupational Therapy Facebook page, Instagram account, and Downloadable Resource: Regulation Strategies for Teachers

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In this episode, we continue our deep dive into executive functioning, focusing on how executive functioning processes develop differently in neurodivergent students, including dyslexic, ADHD, and autistic kids. We explore the key executive functioning processes—working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility—while sharing practical strategies to support students in the classroom.

Key Take Aways

• Recap of Executive Functioning
  • Definition of executive functioning system.
  • Key processes: impulse control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory.
  • Causes of executive functioning dysfunction.
• Executive Functioning in Dyslexic Students
  • How dyslexic brains process written language.
  • The role of working memory in reading and spelling.
  • Supporting working memory development.
  • Technology accommodations: speech-to-text and text-to-speech.
• Executive Functioning in ADHD Students
  • Differences in brain development for ADHD students.
  • Impulse control and its impact in the classroom.
  • Accommodations for differences in impulse control development.
  • Strategies for developing impulse control.
• Executive Functioning in Autistic Students
  • Cognitive flexibility and the attachment to a desired process and outcome
  • Accommodating cognitive flexibility differences in the classroom.
  • Strategies for developing cognitive flexibility.
• Whole-Class Executive Functioning Strategies
  • Teaching executive functioning explicitly.
  • Visualisation and planning.
  • Mindfulness.
  • Reflexive questioning.

Recommended Resources

• Alison Clarke’s SPELFABET site for literacy resources.
• A link to Kristy Forbes’ website for learning more about PDA.
• Tera Sumpter’s ‘Planting seeds with reflexive questioning’ digital resource.

See this podcast in pretty pictures by following Nat on instagram - @the_audhd_speechie

Learn more about what Nat does by checking out her website - www.gospeechpathology.com.au