Professional Learning

Teachers often encounter behaviours that appear challenging but are actually responses to nervous system overwhelm. This session explores how trauma and neurodivergence interact and how educators can support regulation, engagement and learning.

Topics include:

• trauma and neurodivergent nervous systems
• stress responses in the classroom
• why behaviour approaches sometimes escalate distress
• practical regulation strategies for teachers

Length: up to 2 hours

Many autistic students mask their difficulties in school, which can lead to exhaustion, anxiety and burnout.

This session explores:

• what masking looks like in classrooms
• why some students appear to cope but later crash
• the link between masking, anxiety and school refusal
• ways teachers can reduce pressure to mask

Length: up to 2 hours

Some students experience extreme anxiety around everyday demands. Traditional behaviour strategies can unintentionally increase distress.

This session explores:

• what PDA is and how it presents in schools
• why demand avoidance is anxiety-driven
• how to reduce power struggles
• practical collaborative approaches teachers can use

Length: up to 2 hours