Manage episode 513414172 series 3396568
How do you actually manage special needs in a mainstream classroom (when you’re not getting the support you need)?
Ever looked around your classroom mid-lesson and thought:
“How the heck am I supposed to meet 30 different needs all at once?”
Yeah. Me too.
This week, I’m kicking off a new mini-series answering your most-asked questions, starting with one I get all the time:
“How do I support students with special needs in my mainstream classroom? There has to be more help out there.”
Spoiler alert: There should be more help. But in the meantime, I’m walking you through what you can actually control, without burning yourself out or playing superhero.
I’ll give you a front seat to:
- The real talk I wish I got at uni about inclusion
- Why “just differentiate” is the most unhelpful advice ever
- The classroom systems and routines that actually make a difference
- And the role your own nervous system plays in it all
This one’s not about perfection. It’s about doing what’s possible—in a way that’s human, sustainable, and actually helps kids thrive (including you).
Let’s dive in.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why you can’t meet every need, and why that’s not failure
- The power of systems over individualised strategies
- What real inclusion looks and feels like
- The two biggest game-changers: routine + regulation
- How to support neurodiverse and neurotypical students at the same time
Have a question, comment, or just want to say hello? Drop us a text!
RESOURCES AND MORE SUPPORT:
- Shop all resources
- Join The Behaviour Club
- My book! It’s Never Just About the Behaviour: A holistic approach to classroom behaviour management
- The Low-Level Behaviour Bootcamp
- Free guide: 'Chats that Create Change'
Connect with me:
- Follow on Instagram @the.unteachables
- Check out my website
Chapters
1. Welcome & Purpose of the Show (00:00:00)
2. Q&A Series and Why It Matters (00:01:44)
3. The Big Question: Inclusion in Mainstream (00:02:09)
4. Beliefs on Inclusion and System Gaps (00:03:09)
5. From Differentiation Myths to Real Needs (00:04:18)
6. What We Can Control as Teachers (00:05:22)
7. Systems Over Individual Fixes (00:06:36)
8. Routines, Visuals, and Predictability (00:07:12)
9. Entry, Transitions, and Finish Strong (00:09:10)
10. Make Success Visible: Timers & Criteria (00:10:16)
11. Clear Language Beats Vague Requests (00:12:04)
12. Reduce Load, Reduce Dysregulation (00:13:02)
13. Regulation Starts With Us (00:13:55)
14. Co‑Regulation vs Co‑Dysregulation (00:15:37)
15. Calm Voice, Pace, and Proximity (00:17:20)
16. Felt Safety and Consistent Practice (00:18:22)
17. The Control You Actually Have (00:20:05)
18. Compassion, Reality, and Next Steps (00:22:15)
145 episodes