

Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education
Sue Larkey
Sue Larkey enlightens, and entertains with valuable insights into Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, ODD and PDA. Covering strategies from the Early Years to Teens Years and Beyond.
Visit https://suelarkey.com.au/podcast-listing/ to get access to the books, downloads and extra information provided with each episode
To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my websites below.
https://suelarkey.com.au
Join Sue as she shares simple yet effective tips, supports and strategies on a range of topics including social skills, communication and positive behaviour support.
Sue Larkey is uniquely positioned within the education system having taught both as a primary school teacher and a special education teacher. She combines this practical experience with extensive research, having completed a Masters in Special Education and currently undertaking a Doctorate of Education, focusing on inclusive education.
Sue is unashamedly passionate about her mission – to inspire parents and educators and teach them how to Make it a Success.
Visit https://suelarkey.com.au/podcast-listing/ to get access to the books, downloads and extra information provided with each episode
To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD please visit my websites below.
https://suelarkey.com.au
Join Sue as she shares simple yet effective tips, supports and strategies on a range of topics including social skills, communication and positive behaviour support.
Sue Larkey is uniquely positioned within the education system having taught both as a primary school teacher and a special education teacher. She combines this practical experience with extensive research, having completed a Masters in Special Education and currently undertaking a Doctorate of Education, focusing on inclusive education.
Sue is unashamedly passionate about her mission – to inspire parents and educators and teach them how to Make it a Success.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2026 • 45min
SLP 339: PDA vs. ODD: A Guide to Supporting Pathological Demand Avoidance in Schools
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ PDA vs ODD: PDA is autism-based; ODD recognizes authority. ✅ Authenticity Essential: PDA individuals instantly detect false or inauthentic behavior. ✅ Real Choices: Offer exactly two options, never open-ended. ✅ Structure Plus Autonomy: Combine routine with freedom like holidays. ✅ Shared Demands: Working together halves perceived anxiety and demands. ✅ Fresh Daily Starts: Each day deserves a clean slate. ✅ Emotional Honesty: Model feeling words and processing aloud. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/pda-odd-difference Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Mar 23, 2026 • 29min
SLP 338: Why Choice Making is so hard for Neurodiverse Children and What To Do (AS, ADHD, PDA, AuDHD)
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Choice-Making Complexity: requires problem-solving and understanding consequences. ✅ Anxiety-Problem Solving Link: higher anxiety lowers ability. ✅ Autism Strategies: offer two real choices always. ✅ PDA Approach: provide autonomy through indirect language. ✅ ADHD Support: time limits and visuals prevent overload. ✅ ODD Management: stay calm; avoid power struggle traps. ✅ Educational Outcome: define your goal before offering choices. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/choice-making-neurodiversity-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Mar 16, 2026 • 36min
SLP 337: Autism + Environment = Outcome: How to Recognise and Support Executive Functioning Struggles in Neurodivergent Students
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Executive Functioning: Brain's admin team managing planning, organizing, deadlines, emotions. ✅ Autistic Inertia: Difficulty shifting gears from rest to action or stopping. ✅ Environment Over Child: Modify structure, not the child—autism plus environment equals outcome. ✅ Neurological vs Behavioral: Executive functioning issues are can't-do, not lazy won't-do. ✅ Object Permanence Anxiety: Out-of-sight tasks create persistent worry about completion. ✅ Understanding Changes Adults: Why matters more than what for changing practitioner approach. ✅ Neurotypical Privilege: Neurotypical brains process less information; world designed for them. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-functioning-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Mar 9, 2026 • 35min
SLP 336: Executive Functioning Challenges Looks like Defiance: Why and How to Building Executive Functioning in Neurodiverse Students
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Executive Functioning: air traffic controller managing stimuli and focus. ✅ Seven Components: emotional control, impulse, planning, organizing, task initiation. ✅ Practice: Executive functioning improves with consistent practice like muscles. ✅ Emotional Control: Children struggle with emotions and negative feedback. ✅ Task Initiation: Five-minute warnings and rewards help start tasks. ✅ Organization: Minimize distractions and keep items in one place. ✅ Working Memory: Break tasks into visual steps with routines. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-functioning-as-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Mar 1, 2026 • 43min
SLP 335: How to Have the Hard Conversation: 8 Steps for Educators Starting the Diagnosis Conversation
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Meeting Tone: Be mindful of tone and choose comfortable environments. ✅ Positive Feedback: Always share four positives for every negative. ✅ Collaborative Approach: Work together with parents, don't be adversarial. ✅ Gather Evidence: Keep detailed behavioral notes with dates and examples. ✅ Professional Boundaries: Never diagnose or recommend medication as teacher. ✅ Documentation Trail: Email meeting summaries, next steps, and follow-ups. ✅ Red Flags: Monitor social, emotional, and academic development areas. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/talking-to-parents-diagnosis Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Feb 23, 2026 • 33min
SLP 334: 10 Must Have Resources That Transform Support for Neurodiverse Students (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA)
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Diverse Learners: use multiple strategies for each child's individual needs. ✅ Ultimate Guide: 500+ strategies from early years through adult life. ✅ Meltdown Types: distinguish behavior, sensory, and tantrum for effective plans. ✅ Visual Timers: time timers show children remaining time visually. ✅ Whole-Class Approach: teach social skills with entire class for support. ✅ Girls Underdiagnosed: girls show different traits; need recognition and support. ✅ Metaphor Tools: red beast and similar books help normalize emotions. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-student-support-tools Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Feb 16, 2026 • 30min
SLP 333: What every Educator needs to Know about Behaviour for Neurodiverse Students (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA)
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Behavior Communication: Children communicate needs through challenging behavior. ✅ Environment Over Child: Adjust structures to support children's needs. ✅ Mistake Anxiety: Fear of errors triggers avoidance and perfectionism. ✅ Control Through First: Being first provides predictability and emotional regulation. ✅ Fair Over Equal: Meet individual needs, not identical treatment. ✅ Short Strategy Videos: Forty-nine five-minute videos teach practical behavior responses. ✅ Find The Need: Identify missing support, then provide appropriate accommodations. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/neurodiverse-children-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Feb 9, 2026 • 26min
SLP 332 Understanding Time Blindness Essential Strategies for Supporting Neurodiverse Students
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Time Blindness: neurodiverse individuals struggle to perceive passing time accurately. ✅ Visual Timers: make time visible and accessible for all students. ✅ Digital Schedules: portable schedules with digital time beat analog clocks. ✅ Task Breakdown: split work into smaller parts to reduce overwhelm. ✅ Warnings: give five-minute warnings before transitions or activity endings. ✅ Routines: work backward from bedtime to plan evening schedule. ✅ Reinforcement: acknowledge when children manage time well and independently. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/visual-timers-neurodiverse-students Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Feb 2, 2026 • 40min
SLP 331: 18 Ways to Set Up Your Classroom for Neurodiverse Success (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA)
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Motor Skills: Poor fine and gross motor impacts handwriting ability. ✅ Routines: Establish clear routines from day one to reduce stress. ✅ Timers and Visuals: Use visual supports to manage transitions effectively. ✅ Interception: Many neurodivergent kids miss thirst, hunger, toilet body signals. ✅ IEP Collaboration: Involve teacher assistants, parents, specialists in planning meetings. ✅ Homework Systems: Provide clear workspace, timers, buddy support, movement breaks. ✅ Behavior Strategies: Reference practical strategy books rather than custom materials. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/classroom-setup-neurodiverse-students Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Jan 26, 2026 • 17min
SLP 330: School Camps Without the Stress: A Preparation Guide for Neurodiverse Students (AS, ADHD, ODD, PDA)
Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Preparation: Give at least two weeks advance warning. ✅ Social Stories: Use pictures and videos of venue. ✅ Optional Activities: Allow kids to skip uncomfortable tasks. ✅ Food Flexibility: Let kids bring preferred meals or drinks. ✅ Sensory Accommodation: Consider seating, noise, temperature, clothing. ✅ Emotional Support: Discuss feelings and regulation strategies. ✅ Peer Mentoring: Have older kids share their experiences. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/school-camp-neurodiverse-students-preparation Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au


