Home / Autism Support / Autism Training for Teachers
Autism Training for Teachers in NY
Sharon Kaye O’Connor, LCSW is an autistic therapist who provides autism training for teachers, paraprofessionals, related-service providers and school administrators. Training covers behavior as communication, sensory needs, meltdowns, masking and burnout, and is tailored to each school, with fees based on scope and length.
What You Will Achieve
- Clarity: understand the “why” behind autistic behaviors
- Confidence: support every student, even in unexpected moments
- Practical tools: strategies and accommodations that work in real classrooms
- Measurable outcomes: fewer behavioral incidents, more connection and engagement
- Stronger collaboration: clearer communication with parents, specialists, and colleagues, including at IEP meetings
Fees and Booking
Training is tailored to your school, staff, and students.
Fees are determined by the scope and duration of the engagement.
Contact me for fees
Based on scope and duration
How to Book
Contact me to create a plan that is right for you and your school.
Empower Your Teaching Practice for Autistic Students
Teaching autistic students can feel overwhelming when you’re missing the right tools. You may spend hours searching for strategies, while challenging behaviors disrupt learning and coordinating with parents feels like an uphill battle.
I’m Sharon, an autistic therapist and autism specialist who brings professional expertise and lived experience of neurodivergence to this work.
My mission is simple: help you develop authentic understanding of autistic students’ needs, so you can support every student effectively and confidently.
What Does My Autism Training for Teachers Include?
Essential topics educators need to truly understand and support autistic students:
“Behavior Is Communication”
Decode what behaviors are telling you and respond with understanding rather than punishment.
Sensory Issues
How sensory experiences shape students’ ability to learn and participate.
Anxiety
Recognize signs and triggers, and help students feel safe and regulated.
Dysregulation and Meltdowns
Tell meltdowns from tantrums, and learn prevention and de-escalation that work.
Self-Regulation in the Classroom
Tools and routines that help students manage emotions and sensory needs.
The Double-Empathy Problem
Why communication difficulties between neurotypes go both ways, and how to bridge them.
A Different “Operating System”
Move beyond deficit-based thinking to a different way of processing the world.
What “Spectrum” Really Means
Go beyond stereotypes to the true diversity within the autistic community.
“Spiky Profiles” and Strengths
Recognize and draw from each student’s unique pattern of abilities.
Autistic Communication
Understand communication differences and your unique students more effectively.
Scripting and Echolalia
Why these matter, and how to support rather than suppress them.
Autistic Mental Health
Classrooms that protect against anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Masking and Burnout
The hidden costs of “fitting in,” and space for authentic self-expression.
Special Interests and Joy
Celebrate special interests as powerful sources of joy and connection.
Who Can Benefit from Autism Teacher Training?
For anyone committed to creating truly inclusive classrooms, whether you’re new to supporting autistic students or refining years of practice:
Current Teachers
General and special education teachers deepening their understanding and strategies.
Related Service Providers
Speech, occupational and physical therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychologists in schools.
School Administration
Principals and administrators building autism-affirming school cultures from the top down.
Teaching Assistants and Paraprofessionals
Support staff who need practical, hands-on strategies.
Aspiring Educators
Student teachers starting their careers with strong foundational knowledge.
What Teachers Are Saying
Educators who’ve completed my autism training report transformative changes in their classrooms and confidence:
“Our school has partnered with Sharon to enlist her support with some of our highest-needs neurodiverse learners. Her knowledge and expertise have helped to enhance our faculty’s ability to effectively work with these students on the autism spectrum. Sharon is kind, thoughtful, and knowledgeable, and is a strong communicator. We are truly appreciative of her words of wisdom and ongoing collaboration.”
— C.A., Head of School
“The Equity Project Charter School has worked with Sharon O’Connor over the past two school years. Sharon’s unique perspective as a mother and clinician have provided invaluable practices to support our school’s neurodiverse learners, moving beyond cookie-cutter advice and delivering truly personalized pieces of feedback to support our staff in working with students on the autism spectrum. She is gracious with her time and thought partnership, and we are grateful for our relationship with her.”
— The Equity Project Charter School
“Sharon has provided thoughtful advice and support for some of our highest-needs learners at our school. Our teachers appreciated the time she spent listening to both their concerns and aspirations for these students. Her knowledge and careful attention to details have equipped our teachers with concrete tools and strategies to support our students in the classroom. Thank you, Sharon, for playing an important role in making a positive impact on our students and families!”
— S.M., Assistant Director at Early Childhood
Frequently Asked Questions
What does autism training for teachers cover?
Topics include behavior as communication, sensory issues, anxiety, meltdowns versus tantrums, self-regulation, the double-empathy problem, spiky profiles, scripting and echolalia, masking and burnout, and special interests.
How can teachers help autistic students?
By understanding the “why” behind behaviors and responding with understanding rather than punishment, supporting sensory and regulation needs, and drawing on each student’s strengths and special interests.
Who is the training for?
General and special education teachers, teaching assistants and paraprofessionals, speech, occupational and physical therapists, school counselors, social workers and psychologists, administrators and student teachers.
How much does teacher training cost?
I tailor training to your school, staff and students, so fees depend on scope and duration. Contact me to create a plan that’s right for your school.
Can you help with teaching students with autism?
Yes. Many teachers come to me asking about teaching students with autism. In my trainings I use identity-first language, “autistic students”, because that is how I and many autistic people prefer to be described. Together we look at what your autistic students are communicating, how sensory and classroom demands affect them, and practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies that support learning and regulation.
Start Creating Inclusive Classrooms Today
Autistic students deserve educators who truly understand them. Contact me today to schedule your school’s autism training and build a more inclusive, authentically supportive learning environment.