Zoë Austin on Working with Neurodivergent Children

Zoë is passionate about inclusive education and has been an educator in various guises for nearly 20 years – as a music tutor, a community workshop leader, qualified teacher, ADHD/autism mentor and study skills support.

Previously a Pen Green trained reception class teacher, Zoë is now a one-to-one SEND tutor, as well as a consultant and trainer on how best to support Neurodivergent children in early years and primary education settings. Her own neurodivergence means that she is really well equipped to understand the potential needs of the individual learner and sculpt learning experiences to suit them, which she does via her consultancy ZA Learning.

Learn essential strategies for creating truly inclusive environments where neurodivergent children can flourish alongside their families. This insightful conversation with Zoë reveals how understanding different neurotypes transforms your practice from managing behaviours to celebrating individual learning styles and sensory needs.

In this episode you’ll:

• Discover why creating a visibly neurodiversity-inclusive culture is the foundation for effective support
• Learn to recognise stimming as regulation rather than disruption, and when to support rather than redirect
• Understand how sensory environments impact autistic children differently and what simple changes make huge differences
• Explore the connections between schematic play and autistic play patterns without rushing to label
• Gain practical strategies for supporting neurodivergent families who may be navigating their own needs

Watch this essential conversation to understand how respecting children’s individual experiences and neurotypes creates the foundation for lifelong wellbeing and learning success.

Episode Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-austin-education

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561594630318

https://www.instagram.com/za_education

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/200-million-landmark-send-teacher-training-programme

https://www.pengreen.org

https://www.intensiveinteraction.org/

https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016-11/Intensive Interraction 04.pdf

https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/intensive-interaction/book235249

https://dingley.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Copy-of-Intensive-Interaction-new-1.pdf

https://freecoursesinengland.co.uk/special-education-needs-and-disability

https://kinderly.co.uk/event/zoe-austin-stimming-world-understanding-and-embracing-neurodivergent-stimming

Special Notes:

Trigger warning – Minute 36 to minute 37 mentions suicide