Unlock the Potential of Autistic Students

What does school actually feel like when you’re autistic? And what can we do, practically, to make it work better? This session helps educators step into the shoes of their autistic students and understand the daily barriers they face, from sensory overwhelm to social exhaustion to the hidden cost of masking. We look at why some common approaches don’t work and what to do instead, with practical, low cost strategies you can use straightaway to create a calmer, more accessible classroom where autistic students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand what school feels like from an autistic student’s perspective, including sensory, social, and emotional challenges
• Recognise how masking, overwhelm, and anxiety show up in the classroom, and why some students seem fine until they’re not
• Create a calmer, more predictable learning environment using practical, low cost adjustments
• Communicate and set expectations in ways that reduce anxiety and support engagement
• Support autistic students to build on their strengths, develop self-advocacy, and feel genuinely valued