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PODCAST

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast

Hosted by Nicole Casey, speech-language pathologist and founder of The Child-Led SLP, Let Them Lead is the go-to podcast for professionals and caregivers who want to support autistic kids with respect, trust, and connection. Each week, we explore child-led, neuroaffirming approaches to communication, play, and therapy—centered around the belief that autistic kids deserve communication partners who honor and support them holistically. Whether you"re navigating gestalt language processing, AAC,

education parenting

All Episodes

39:10

34. Better Goal Writing Begins With Our Mindset (It's...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Grab the FREE Quickstart to Rubric-Goal Writing resource here! In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses her journey with goal writing, particularly for autistic students. She shares her struggles with traditional goal writing methods and introduces rubric-based goals as a more effective alternative. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts in approaching goal writing, the need to question established norms, and the significance of aligning goals with personal and professional

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59:17

33. The First 3 Communication Functions I Support...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/12/30

In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges faced by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) when supporting autistic students, particularly the difficulty of starting communication support without knowing the child well. She emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to identify key communication functions, such as asking for help, protesting, and directing actions. Nicole advocates for a child-led approach that empowers students to communicate authentically and autonomously, moving

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41:25

32. Helping the Helpers: What Teams Really Need to...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/12/23

In this episode, Nicole Casey emphasizes the critical importance of collaboration among professionals supporting autistic students. She discusses the need for empathy, trust, and understanding within teams, particularly focusing on the roles of paraprofessionals and support staff. Nicole shares practical strategies for building relationships, advocating for change, and fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes the well-being of both students and staff. The conversation highlights the

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39:13

31. Eye contact, Quiet Hands, and Calm Body – The...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/12/16

In this conversation, Nicole Casey challenges traditional notions of attention and connection in learning, particularly for autistic students. She emphasizes the importance of accommodating diverse sensory needs and creating an engaging learning environment that allows students to feel regulated and at ease, thus enhancing their ability to learn and engage. Takeaways We need to rethink how we understand connection and attention. Attention doesn't mean sitting still; it can look different

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33:49

30. Building Yes Spaces So Autistic Kids Can Truly Lead

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/12/09

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

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48:38

29. It Wasn't the Child: How a Broken System Led to...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/12/02

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

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34:13

27. It's Not Chaos: How to Explain Child-Led Therapy...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/11/18

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

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30:11

26. The Ripple Effect of Better Goals: How to Write...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/11/11

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

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36:41

25. Can They Just Be Kids? The Datafication of...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/11/04

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

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34:01

24. The Real Reason Goal Writing Sucks (and What to...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/10/28

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

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25:27

23. The Worst Goals for Autistic Students (As Told By...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/10/21

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

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42:30

22. What to do When an Autistic Child is Not Engaging...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/10/14

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

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37:43

21. Toxic Positivity Protects Systems, Not Us!

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/10/07

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

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33:01

20. Trauma-Informed Care and Child-Led Therapy Are...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/09/30

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

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33:06

19. Best Goals for Autistic Kids, According to...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/09/23

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the importance of centering autistic voices in therapy goals for autistic children. She highlights a 2024 study that reveals the most accepted therapy goals as identified by autistic adults, emphasizing the need for a neuroaffirming approach that prioritizes safety, autonomy, and communication. The conversation covers five key areas of focus: decreasing self-injurious behavior, honoring refusal, supporting self-help skills, emphasizing multimodal

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27:06

18. Multimodal Communication for Autistic Kids is NOT...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Download the free "Multimodal Communication is NOT a Hierarchy" Visual here ! In this conversation, Nicole Casey explores the concept of multimodal communication, particularly in the context of supporting autistic children. She emphasizes that communication is not limited to speech but includes various modalities such as gestures, facial expressions, and actions. Nicole critiques the traditional hierarchy that places speech at the top, advocating for a more inclusive view that recognizes all forms

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01:28

[UPDATE] JOIN ME AT THE CHILD-LED AUTISM SUMMIT!!

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/07/30

To grab your free ticket, visit: www.childledautismsummit.com I hope to see you all there!

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36:55

17. Ditching "Withholding Objects" from Autistic Kids...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/07/15

Save your spot for The Child-Led Autism Summit here! In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the problematic strategy of withholding objects to encourage communication in autistic children. She emphasizes the emotional and relational damage this approach can cause, advocating for a more child-led, affirming method that fosters genuine communication and connection. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, she highlights the importance of observing children's natural communication

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49:57

16. Creating a Safe and Sensory-Friendly Environment...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/07/08

Summary: In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the critical importance of creating safe and sensory-friendly environments for autistic students. She emphasizes that the physical setup of therapy and classroom spaces can significantly impact children's engagement and comfort. Nicole shares practical strategies for enhancing sensory safety, including adjusting lighting, reducing visual clutter, and providing sensory tools. She also highlights the need for predictable routines while allowing for

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56:22

15. How to Be Neurodiversity Affirming in a...

Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast ·

2025/07/01

Download The Child-Led Answer Guide here! Summary In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges of implementing child-led approaches in systems that prioritize compliance and data collection. She emphasizes the importance of community support, building confidence in one's therapeutic approach, and making small shifts to create a more neuroaffirming environment for students. The conversation highlights the need for professionals to connect with like-minded colleagues and advocate for

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