Prof Dawn Adams: Autism Insights & The Invisible Demands Of School Life | Episode 171

"I wish that educators knew how hard autistic students are working to be in your classroom." - Professor Dawn AdamsWhat does every educator need to know about autism?Every day, autistic students navigate a world that often asks them to process more, adapt more and work harder than those around them realise. Yet much of this effort remains invisible. The more we understand their experience, the better equipped we are to create classrooms where every student feels understood, supported and able to thrive.In this episode, Meg Durham is joined by Professor Dawn Adams, Director of the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre at La Trobe University and one of Australia's leading autism researchers.Together, they explore what autism is, how it can present differently from one student to another, and why there is no single autistic experience. They discuss common myths and misconceptions, masking, autistic burnout, and practical ways we can create classrooms where autistic students feel understood, supported and able to thrive.Throughout the conversation, Professor Adams encourages us to look beyond behaviour, replace assumptions with curiosity, and better understand the invisible sensory, social and communication demands many autistic students navigate every day.Whether you're a teacher, school leader or education support staff member, this episode will deepen your understanding of autism and leave you with practical strategies to better support the autistic students in your care.----In this episode, you'll learn:What autism is and why there is no single autistic experience.How autism can present differently from one student to another.Why looking beyond behaviour is key to understanding autistic students.What masking and autistic burnout are, and why they matter in schools.How respectful language, curiosity and small adjustments can make a big difference.Practical ways to create classrooms where autistic students feel understood, supported and able to thrive.----Chapter Markers:01:40 Why autistic students are working harder than we realise03:20 What is autism?07:00 How autism can present differently from one student to another16:10 Common myths and misconceptions about autism23:20 Understanding masking and what we might not see25:45 Autistic burnout and why it matters38:00 Practical strategies to better support autistic students43:50 What Professor Dawn Adams would like us all to keep in mind----Reflection prompts:I now know that...One deliberate action I will make in my classroom is...One conversation I need to have with a colleague or family is...I give myself permission to...----Episode 171 Shownotes – Click here----Proffesor Dawn Adams – Website | LinkedIn ----Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | InstagramWeekly Newsletter - Subscribe hereSpeaker Booking - Complete the booking form to start the conversation.----Your Questions Answered:What is autism?Professor Dawn Adams describes autism as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that influences how the brain develops, processes information and responds to the world. Rather than viewing autism through a lens of deficits or focusing on what a person can't do, she encourages us to recognise autism as a different way of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world.Autism is not something a person grows out of. Autistic children become autistic adults, and understanding autism means appreciating both the strengths and the support needs that come with different ways of processing information.What is masking in autism?Masking is when an autistic person consciously or unconsciously adapts their behaviour to fit into a predominantly neurotypical world. This might involve copying the behaviour of peers, suppressing natural responses, forcing eye contact or working hard to meet social expectations.While masking can make a student appear to be coping, it