In podcast episode #3, I chat with Nikki Robertson, who is an autism teacher in Wales, UK. She teaches 3- year olds at an autism school (with students aged 3-19 years old). She gives many tips and helpful ideas for teaching autism in a special ed classroom with almost all students who are nonverbal. She shares what a day looks like in her class, how they use Book Creator (iPad app) to collect evidence and data and assemble into a book to share with parents. She discusses how they fit in time for lesson prep, assistant training, and some of the hands-on activities that their students love.
Moreover, Nikki is also part of an outreach team of specialists who train and encourage general ed teachers at mainstream schools in a variety of ways including using a strategy called a classroom takeover. It includes observations in both Nikki’s class and the general ed teacher’s class, which are essential to improve the classroom environment and implementing effective behavior strategies to help autistic students be more successful.
Nikki also compares special educational in the UK and America. We get to hear some Welsh phrases. But I have to say I was blown away with how her school transports their students!
This episode can be listened to on the player below by tapping the white/green play button. It can also be listened to on apps such as Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes/Apple Podcast, Podbean, and TuneIn.
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Podcast Episode 3 Show Notes
My Guest: Nikki Robertson
Nikki Robertson is an autism teacher in Wales, U.K. She has over 8 years of experience working with students all across the spectrum. She has worked with age groups 11-16 and 3-7. Nikki is part of a team who trains general education teachers about autism and how to make their classrooms more adaptable and autism friendly. The main therapies that she uses are; Sensology, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Story Massage, and Sensory Stories. You can email her at contact@teachingautism.co.uk or visit her website teachingautism.co.uk for more information.
Links and Resources
National Autistic Society (UK)
Check out Nikki’s TpT store at
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teaching-Autism
You might be interested in her “Set Up Your Autism Classroom” bundle.
Nikki on Instagram: @teaching autism
Nikki on Facebook: Teaching Autism
Nikki on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeachingAutism
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Podcast Host: Lisa Goodell
Lisa Goodell, M. A., is the host of the Help for Special Educators Podcast. She has been teaching for over 23 years, including third grade, resource/inclusion (RSP), mild/moderate self-contained (SDC). Currently, she is an itinerant orthopedic impairment (OI) specialist/teacher for students birth to 21 years old in all general ed and special ed settings. She has been honored as “Teacher of the Year” at both the elementary and secondary level. She lives in rural Central California with her family, and a bunch of cats. Connect with Lisa here.
