Why Exclusion Harms Neurodivergent Students — And What Works Instead | Ep. 49

Brooke interviews educator, consultant, speaker, and author Lisa Riegel about using brain science to improve behavior, inclusion, and school systems. Lisa Riegel explains how exclusionary discipline (sending students out) worsens problems by leaving conflicts unresolved and making classrooms feel unsafe. Drawing on her experiences with ineffective leadership and parenting a twice-exceptional son, she argues schools must become human-centered and partner authentically with parents, including clear parent policies and support for families navigating institutions. Lisa Riegel outlines her books: Stop Doing What Doesn't Work: Creating meaningful partnerships with today's families (parent-school partnerships), NeuroWell: Applying brain science to build safe, supportive, and proactive schools (how context and sensory associations shape perception and regulation, plus building proactive school and home cultures), and Aspirations to Operations: A leader’s guide to making transformative change stick (brain-based leadership and implementation). She teaches students accessible brain models (e.g., “Harold” and “Bob”), self-awareness tools, and classroom strategies like learning sprints, positivity prompts, and student-led behavior plans emphasizing agency over extrinsic rewards.00:00 Why Sending Kids Out Fails00:53 Welcome and Guest Intro02:28 Lisa’s Path to Brain Science04:39 Systems Not Built for Kids06:17 Twice Exceptional Parenting Wakeup08:06 Mission Happy Healthy Successful09:43 Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work11:08 Building Parent Partnerships13:58 Find Your Voice Program15:44 Neuro Well and Sensory Filters21:36 Teaching Kids Brain Stories23:25 Tools Name It Own It25:28 Fizzy or Flat Checkins28:34 Dilution with Positivity29:55 Learning Sprints for Safety30:29 Learning Sprints Setup31:10 Why Breaks Boost Focus31:51 Classroom Sprint Success33:57 Self Awareness First35:22 Rethinking Behavior Plans37:28 Replacement Behaviors Tools39:32 Self Assessment Agency40:30 Beyond Extrinsic Rewards42:33 Seven Change Conditions44:52 PBIS Goals Peer Support47:54 Leadership Brain Science48:53 Building Belonging Culture50:50 Clarity Coherence Change53:15 Why School Culture Turns Toxic54:37 How Lisa Supports Schools57:11 AI Stress Leadership Moment57:55 Where To Find Lisa58:48 Final Takeaways GoodbyeConnect with Finding Hope on the Spectrum:Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574918739411 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-wagner-4819233a/ Instagram: @findinghopeonthespectrum TikTok: FindinghopeonthespectrumGuest Contact: www.lisariegel.com