Rethinking Neurodiversity: What Schools Get Wrong About Autism

Panelists
- Dr. Lisa Riegel, Author & Speaker
- Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC, Non-Attorney Advocate & Mental Health Therapist, Destiny Huff Consulting, LLC
- Lisa Baskin Wright, IEP Coach, Lisa Wright IEP Consulting

Episode Summary
In this episode of Data in Education, Jenelle and Jessica are joined by three leading voices in neurodiversity-affirming practice to explore how misconceptions about autism and neurodivergence shape school systems.

The conversation focuses on:
- How schools often misunderstand autism by prioritizing conformity, compliance, and control over regulation, safety, and belonging?
- Where systems unintentionally value compliance over meaningful support?
- What true inclusion actually looks like when differentiation, context, and learner voice are centered?
- How small, intentional system shifts can create the biggest impact for both students and educators?

This episode is especially relevant for educators, school leaders, and support staff who want inclusion to move beyond paperwork and compliance and toward practices that feel supportive, actionable, and human.

Actionable Guidance from Our Panelists
Our panelists generously shared resources connected to this conversation, including:
- Dr. Lisa Riegel - Link to Books Authored by Dr. Lisa Riegel
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-A-Riegel-Ph.D/author/B0GHGY5V3X?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1770588738&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=5ebd2cce-721b-44dd-add2-250b1865ff05
- I can understand that forcing neurodivergent learners to conform is not supportive.
- I can practice short learning sprints.
- I can recognize that inclusion is differentiation.
- I can co-design assessments with learners (“Show me how you know”).
- I can build culture shift by understanding that behavior is the intersection of biology and context.

Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC
- I can challenge my assumption that dysregulation is willful behavior.
- I can use adult examples of dysregulation to better understand learners.
- I can brainstorm ways to incorporate coping skills across home and school settings.
- I can understand that inclusion means all are welcome in this setting.
- I can support learners and myself by asking better questions.

Lisa Baskin Wright - Free Neuroaffirming Resources -
- https://www.lisabaskinwright.com/freeresources
- I can become more curious about the cues a student is giving.
- I can recognize when choice may feel like a demand in a dysregulated moment.
- I can prioritize emotional safety over control in classroom management.
- I can pause before reacting to dysregulation.
- I can reframe behavior as a possible unmet need rather than defiance.

Links to these resources are available wherever you are listening or watching this episode.

Free Resource from Symplifyed:
Positive Replacement Phrases

How to access it:
- Grab a free trial at symplifyapp.com
- Log in to your account
- Click the book icon in the top right corner of the screen to open the Resource Library
- Find the resource connected to this episode and start using it right away

Listen, Watch, and Connect
If this episode resonated with you:
- Share it with a colleague or team
- Save the resources and try one small shift this week
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