In this episode of Teaching Autism & Special Education with Nikki, we’re talking about something that’s often missed in behavior conversations - the environment.

Because sometimes it’s not the reward system, the visual schedule, or the strategy that’s causing the behavior.
Sometimes… it’s the noise, the lighting, or the constant movement around a student.

And once you start seeing behavior through a sensory lens, everything shifts.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why students react to the environment, not the lesson plan

• What sensory overload actually does to the brain

• Why behavior often shows up after lunch, assemblies, or busy transitions

• How everyday classroom noise can overwhelm sensitive nervous systems

• Simple ways to soften sound and create quieter spaces

• Why fluorescent lighting can trigger headaches, fatigue, and shutdowns

• Easy lighting changes that make a huge difference

• Why movement isn’t misbehavior... it’s regulation

• How to support movement without chaos

• How to do a quick sensory audit of your classroom

• Small, low-cost changes that improve regulation

• What to do in the moment when a student is overstimulated

• Why student voice matters when designing sensory spaces

Big takeaways:

• Behavior is often a sensory response

• Overstimulated brains can’t access learning

• Predictability and sensory safety reduce behavior

• Small environmental changes can have big impact

• Regulation always comes before instruction

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things and behavior is still escalating, this episode will help you zoom out and look at what’s happening around your students, not just what’s happening in front of them.

🎧 Listen in and let’s talk about how to create classrooms that feel calmer, safer, and more supportive for every nervous system.