#190: Regulation Before Expectation: Supporting Autistic Students in the Classroom

Supporting regulation in the classroom starts with understanding what an autistic child's nervous system needs before we focus on expectations, participation, or learning. That's why regulation is the focus of Week 3 of our Back to School Foundations series.

By early September, you've probably moved past those first days of school when everyone is learning names, exploring the classroom, and figuring each other out. Your routines are starting to take shape, expectations are increasing, and you may also be seeing more dysregulation show up.

This is often when we start wondering, What can I do to help this child participate? How do I make circle time easier? Why are transitions suddenly so hard? What changed?

Before we add another expectation, I want us to look at regulation.

For six weeks, I'm revisiting some of the most important conversations from the Autism Little Learners Podcast and bringing them back when you may need them most. This week's conversation originally aired in early 2025, and it focuses on practical ways we can support emotional and sensory regulation throughout the classroom day.

We'll talk about the classroom environment, sensory needs, calming spaces, visual supports, sensory tools, and the important role we play in co-regulation. Most importantly, we'll talk about why regulation isn't something we work on only after a child becomes overwhelmed. When we understand an individual child's sensory needs and build supportive strategies throughout their day, we're creating an environment where they have greater access to communication, participation, connection, and learning.

In This Episode, You'll Learn Why the classroom environment can have such a big impact on regulation

How reducing sensory overload can support autistic children throughout their day

Why calming corners can offer a supportive place for children to manage sensory input and emotions

How visual supports can provide information, support communication, and reduce uncertainty

Ways sensory tools can help children get the sensory input their bodies need

Why co-regulation with a trusted adult is so important for young children