Praise helps the brain take risks. Punishment shuts it down. - Christopher Wyatt

Ever feel like constant correction makes things worse?This episode is for every parent navigating special education, IEPs, or just trying to help their neurodiverse child feel confident again.Meet Christopher Wyatt, autistic father, educator, and former university lecturer, who shares what really helps autistic students grow—in the classroom and at home.What you’ll learn: • Why punishment shuts down learning—and what to do instead • How praise impacts brain development and risk-taking • Why “accommodations” often fail—and what works better • How to prepare your child for a world that still rewards masking • What inclusive classrooms actually look like • Where parents should focus their energy (hint: it’s early!)Chapters03:35 Why he became an educator after being written off06:15 The danger of constant correction08:00 Praise, risk-taking, and how the brain responds10:45 The illusion of the “perfect” classroom13:35 Why standardized accommodations fail real students16:10 What most checklists get wrong19:40 When designing for autistics helps everyone21:10 Online learning and the myth of digital comfort24:40 Early intervention and brain plasticity27:30 Preparing kids to self-advocate in a biased system31:00 Why masking is rewarded—and how it harms34:10 What “merit” really means (and who it excludes)38:00 A hopeful example: Girl Scouts and STEM41:30 Final message for parents feeling overwhelmed43:50 How to connect with ChristopherResources:🔗 Learn more about Sensory Enrichment Therapy: https://www.mendability.com🔗 Follow Christopher Wyatt: https://www.facebook.com/autisticme🎁 Try a free brain-building activity at home: https://www.mendability.com/start/#autismadvocacy #specialeducation #neurodiversity