Dr. Helane Starlin
@drhelane.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Special Education.
Escalations rarely come out of nowhere.
They're often the result of unmet needs, misread cues, or breakdowns in communication.
We can’t prevent every outburst—but we *can* get curious, not combative.
Connection helps more than control.
What tends to de-escalate *your* classroom?
They're often the result of unmet needs, misread cues, or breakdowns in communication.
We can’t prevent every outburst—but we *can* get curious, not combative.
Connection helps more than control.
What tends to de-escalate *your* classroom?
May 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Escalations rarely come out of nowhere.
They're often the result of unmet needs, misread cues, or breakdowns in communication.
We can’t prevent every outburst—but we *can* get curious, not combative.
Connection helps more than control.
What tends to de-escalate *your* classroom?
They're often the result of unmet needs, misread cues, or breakdowns in communication.
We can’t prevent every outburst—but we *can* get curious, not combative.
Connection helps more than control.
What tends to de-escalate *your* classroom?
Real inclusion isn’t a seat at the table—it’s a voice that’s heard, validated, and needed.
It’s not just inviting every student in the room. It’s redesigning the room so every student belongs, learns, and leads.
Who’s still being left out, and how will you change that?
It’s not just inviting every student in the room. It’s redesigning the room so every student belongs, learns, and leads.
Who’s still being left out, and how will you change that?
May 25, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Real inclusion isn’t a seat at the table—it’s a voice that’s heard, validated, and needed.
It’s not just inviting every student in the room. It’s redesigning the room so every student belongs, learns, and leads.
Who’s still being left out, and how will you change that?
It’s not just inviting every student in the room. It’s redesigning the room so every student belongs, learns, and leads.
Who’s still being left out, and how will you change that?
You love teaching. You care deeply. But burnout can still creep in.
Snapping more. Sunday scaries by Saturday. Just getting through the day?
This isn’t weakness—it’s a sign to reset.
Say no to one extra today. Breathe. Text someone you trust.
What’s one thing you’ll protect this week?
Snapping more. Sunday scaries by Saturday. Just getting through the day?
This isn’t weakness—it’s a sign to reset.
Say no to one extra today. Breathe. Text someone you trust.
What’s one thing you’ll protect this week?
May 23, 2025 at 3:20 PM
You love teaching. You care deeply. But burnout can still creep in.
Snapping more. Sunday scaries by Saturday. Just getting through the day?
This isn’t weakness—it’s a sign to reset.
Say no to one extra today. Breathe. Text someone you trust.
What’s one thing you’ll protect this week?
Snapping more. Sunday scaries by Saturday. Just getting through the day?
This isn’t weakness—it’s a sign to reset.
Say no to one extra today. Breathe. Text someone you trust.
What’s one thing you’ll protect this week?
Too often, parents of children with disabilities—especially those from marginalized communities—are sidelined in school decisions.
Their voices carry insight, not resistance.
When we listen deeply, we lead differently.
Who are you centering this week?
Their voices carry insight, not resistance.
When we listen deeply, we lead differently.
Who are you centering this week?
May 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Too often, parents of children with disabilities—especially those from marginalized communities—are sidelined in school decisions.
Their voices carry insight, not resistance.
When we listen deeply, we lead differently.
Who are you centering this week?
Their voices carry insight, not resistance.
When we listen deeply, we lead differently.
Who are you centering this week?
Culturally relevant accommodations aren't extras—they're essential.
When we overlook a student's cultural context, we risk mislabeling needs and missing strengths.
Educators, let's honor every identity in our IEPs, plans, and daily practice.
Who in your classroom still feels unseen?
When we overlook a student's cultural context, we risk mislabeling needs and missing strengths.
Educators, let's honor every identity in our IEPs, plans, and daily practice.
Who in your classroom still feels unseen?
May 16, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Culturally relevant accommodations aren't extras—they're essential.
When we overlook a student's cultural context, we risk mislabeling needs and missing strengths.
Educators, let's honor every identity in our IEPs, plans, and daily practice.
Who in your classroom still feels unseen?
When we overlook a student's cultural context, we risk mislabeling needs and missing strengths.
Educators, let's honor every identity in our IEPs, plans, and daily practice.
Who in your classroom still feels unseen?
Words shape belonging.
Using identity-first or person-first language? Ask your students what they prefer.
Say “learning difference” instead of “disorder.” Swap “normal” for “typical.”
Inclusion starts with small shifts in how we speak.
What language have you changed lately?
Using identity-first or person-first language? Ask your students what they prefer.
Say “learning difference” instead of “disorder.” Swap “normal” for “typical.”
Inclusion starts with small shifts in how we speak.
What language have you changed lately?
May 16, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Words shape belonging.
Using identity-first or person-first language? Ask your students what they prefer.
Say “learning difference” instead of “disorder.” Swap “normal” for “typical.”
Inclusion starts with small shifts in how we speak.
What language have you changed lately?
Using identity-first or person-first language? Ask your students what they prefer.
Say “learning difference” instead of “disorder.” Swap “normal” for “typical.”
Inclusion starts with small shifts in how we speak.
What language have you changed lately?
Too often, opportunity in education carries a price tag.
Families navigate tuition, tutoring, testing fees—not to mention time and transportation.
When money blocks the door to learning, we all lose.
What would our schools look like if access didn't depend on income?
Families navigate tuition, tutoring, testing fees—not to mention time and transportation.
When money blocks the door to learning, we all lose.
What would our schools look like if access didn't depend on income?
May 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Too often, opportunity in education carries a price tag.
Families navigate tuition, tutoring, testing fees—not to mention time and transportation.
When money blocks the door to learning, we all lose.
What would our schools look like if access didn't depend on income?
Families navigate tuition, tutoring, testing fees—not to mention time and transportation.
When money blocks the door to learning, we all lose.
What would our schools look like if access didn't depend on income?
When your child’s needs are dismissed, don’t shrink. Speak with clarity:
“My child’s experience matters. I expect them to be heard.”
“This isn’t just a preference—it’s a support request.”
“Let’s revisit the data together.”
You are not alone. What’s helped you feel heard?
“My child’s experience matters. I expect them to be heard.”
“This isn’t just a preference—it’s a support request.”
“Let’s revisit the data together.”
You are not alone. What’s helped you feel heard?
May 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
When your child’s needs are dismissed, don’t shrink. Speak with clarity:
“My child’s experience matters. I expect them to be heard.”
“This isn’t just a preference—it’s a support request.”
“Let’s revisit the data together.”
You are not alone. What’s helped you feel heard?
“My child’s experience matters. I expect them to be heard.”
“This isn’t just a preference—it’s a support request.”
“Let’s revisit the data together.”
You are not alone. What’s helped you feel heard?
Escalations aren't random—they’re unmet needs speaking loudly.
It could be sensory overload, unclear expectations, or feeling unheard.
To de-escalate: Pause. Breathe. Offer choices, not demands. Respect the emotion, even if you redirect the behavior.
What helps your students feel safe?
It could be sensory overload, unclear expectations, or feeling unheard.
To de-escalate: Pause. Breathe. Offer choices, not demands. Respect the emotion, even if you redirect the behavior.
What helps your students feel safe?
May 14, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Escalations aren't random—they’re unmet needs speaking loudly.
It could be sensory overload, unclear expectations, or feeling unheard.
To de-escalate: Pause. Breathe. Offer choices, not demands. Respect the emotion, even if you redirect the behavior.
What helps your students feel safe?
It could be sensory overload, unclear expectations, or feeling unheard.
To de-escalate: Pause. Breathe. Offer choices, not demands. Respect the emotion, even if you redirect the behavior.
What helps your students feel safe?
Not every tool belongs in every classroom.
Real support makes life easier, not louder.
The best tech and strategies help you notice more, not do more.
Choose tools that partner with your instincts, not distract from them.
What quiet helper works best for your students lately?
Real support makes life easier, not louder.
The best tech and strategies help you notice more, not do more.
Choose tools that partner with your instincts, not distract from them.
What quiet helper works best for your students lately?
May 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Not every tool belongs in every classroom.
Real support makes life easier, not louder.
The best tech and strategies help you notice more, not do more.
Choose tools that partner with your instincts, not distract from them.
What quiet helper works best for your students lately?
Real support makes life easier, not louder.
The best tech and strategies help you notice more, not do more.
Choose tools that partner with your instincts, not distract from them.
What quiet helper works best for your students lately?
Autism isn't a mystery to solve—it's a way of being to understand.
When we lead with compassion, listen more than we speak, and center student voices, we build classrooms where every learner belongs.
What’s one way you help your classroom feel safer and more welcoming?
When we lead with compassion, listen more than we speak, and center student voices, we build classrooms where every learner belongs.
What’s one way you help your classroom feel safer and more welcoming?
May 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Autism isn't a mystery to solve—it's a way of being to understand.
When we lead with compassion, listen more than we speak, and center student voices, we build classrooms where every learner belongs.
What’s one way you help your classroom feel safer and more welcoming?
When we lead with compassion, listen more than we speak, and center student voices, we build classrooms where every learner belongs.
What’s one way you help your classroom feel safer and more welcoming?
Every behavior tells a story—are we listening?
In our classrooms, behavior *is* communication. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this student?” let’s ask, “What are they trying to tell me?”
Understanding is the first step toward support.
What behavior changed your perspective?
In our classrooms, behavior *is* communication. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this student?” let’s ask, “What are they trying to tell me?”
Understanding is the first step toward support.
What behavior changed your perspective?
May 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Every behavior tells a story—are we listening?
In our classrooms, behavior *is* communication. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this student?” let’s ask, “What are they trying to tell me?”
Understanding is the first step toward support.
What behavior changed your perspective?
In our classrooms, behavior *is* communication. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with this student?” let’s ask, “What are they trying to tell me?”
Understanding is the first step toward support.
What behavior changed your perspective?
Culturally relevant accommodations aren't extra—they're essential.
When we honor a student’s language, traditions, and identity, we strengthen their access to learning.
Accommodations must reflect *who* the student is, not just what they need.
How are you ensuring your supports do both?
When we honor a student’s language, traditions, and identity, we strengthen their access to learning.
Accommodations must reflect *who* the student is, not just what they need.
How are you ensuring your supports do both?
May 12, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Culturally relevant accommodations aren't extra—they're essential.
When we honor a student’s language, traditions, and identity, we strengthen their access to learning.
Accommodations must reflect *who* the student is, not just what they need.
How are you ensuring your supports do both?
When we honor a student’s language, traditions, and identity, we strengthen their access to learning.
Accommodations must reflect *who* the student is, not just what they need.
How are you ensuring your supports do both?
Policy is stronger when families are not just included—but heard.
Real family voice is lived experience, not a checkbox. When we sit at decision-making tables, we must center the wisdom by raising and supporting diverse learners.
Educators: How are you building space for authentic dialogue?
Real family voice is lived experience, not a checkbox. When we sit at decision-making tables, we must center the wisdom by raising and supporting diverse learners.
Educators: How are you building space for authentic dialogue?
May 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Policy is stronger when families are not just included—but heard.
Real family voice is lived experience, not a checkbox. When we sit at decision-making tables, we must center the wisdom by raising and supporting diverse learners.
Educators: How are you building space for authentic dialogue?
Real family voice is lived experience, not a checkbox. When we sit at decision-making tables, we must center the wisdom by raising and supporting diverse learners.
Educators: How are you building space for authentic dialogue?
When families stop advocating, it’s not because they’ve stopped caring—it’s often because the system wore them down.
Endless meetings. Closed doors. The burden to prove what their child needs.
We can do better.
How do you support families who feel unheard?
Image Created with Sora .com
Endless meetings. Closed doors. The burden to prove what their child needs.
We can do better.
How do you support families who feel unheard?
Image Created with Sora .com
May 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
When families stop advocating, it’s not because they’ve stopped caring—it’s often because the system wore them down.
Endless meetings. Closed doors. The burden to prove what their child needs.
We can do better.
How do you support families who feel unheard?
Image Created with Sora .com
Endless meetings. Closed doors. The burden to prove what their child needs.
We can do better.
How do you support families who feel unheard?
Image Created with Sora .com
When school districts step into communities with open hearts and listening ears, everything changes.
Outreach isn’t charity—it’s partnership. It’s meeting families where they are, not where we expect them to be.
What’s working in your district? Let’s share and grow.
Outreach isn’t charity—it’s partnership. It’s meeting families where they are, not where we expect them to be.
What’s working in your district? Let’s share and grow.
May 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
When school districts step into communities with open hearts and listening ears, everything changes.
Outreach isn’t charity—it’s partnership. It’s meeting families where they are, not where we expect them to be.
What’s working in your district? Let’s share and grow.
Outreach isn’t charity—it’s partnership. It’s meeting families where they are, not where we expect them to be.
What’s working in your district? Let’s share and grow.
When your instinct says “something’s wrong,” listen.
You know your child. You’ve seen the shifts: a sudden silence, new anxiety, fading joy. Trust that tug.
Observe. Document. Ask gentle questions.
And don’t wait to speak up.
Who’s someone who listened when it mattered most?
You know your child. You’ve seen the shifts: a sudden silence, new anxiety, fading joy. Trust that tug.
Observe. Document. Ask gentle questions.
And don’t wait to speak up.
Who’s someone who listened when it mattered most?
May 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
When your instinct says “something’s wrong,” listen.
You know your child. You’ve seen the shifts: a sudden silence, new anxiety, fading joy. Trust that tug.
Observe. Document. Ask gentle questions.
And don’t wait to speak up.
Who’s someone who listened when it mattered most?
You know your child. You’ve seen the shifts: a sudden silence, new anxiety, fading joy. Trust that tug.
Observe. Document. Ask gentle questions.
And don’t wait to speak up.
Who’s someone who listened when it mattered most?
When a student shuts down, lashes out, or disengages—it’s not always defiance.
Often, it’s a nervous system in survival mode.
Trauma can look like disrespect. It’s our job to pause, look deeper, and respond with care.
How do you tell the difference in your classroom?
Often, it’s a nervous system in survival mode.
Trauma can look like disrespect. It’s our job to pause, look deeper, and respond with care.
How do you tell the difference in your classroom?
May 3, 2025 at 7:41 PM
When a student shuts down, lashes out, or disengages—it’s not always defiance.
Often, it’s a nervous system in survival mode.
Trauma can look like disrespect. It’s our job to pause, look deeper, and respond with care.
How do you tell the difference in your classroom?
Often, it’s a nervous system in survival mode.
Trauma can look like disrespect. It’s our job to pause, look deeper, and respond with care.
How do you tell the difference in your classroom?
Equity isn’t giving every student the same seat—it’s giving each student the right support to grow.
Inclusion starts when we stop asking “What’s equal?” and start asking “What’s fair?”
What support would’ve changed your education experience? Let’s talk.
Inclusion starts when we stop asking “What’s equal?” and start asking “What’s fair?”
What support would’ve changed your education experience? Let’s talk.
May 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Equity isn’t giving every student the same seat—it’s giving each student the right support to grow.
Inclusion starts when we stop asking “What’s equal?” and start asking “What’s fair?”
What support would’ve changed your education experience? Let’s talk.
Inclusion starts when we stop asking “What’s equal?” and start asking “What’s fair?”
What support would’ve changed your education experience? Let’s talk.
When inclusion is only on paper, students lose.
Is your district celebrating “diversity” without shifting power? Hosting equity trainings with no follow-through? Highlighting a few success stories while ignoring systemic barriers?
Performative inclusion looks good—but changes nothing.
Is your district celebrating “diversity” without shifting power? Hosting equity trainings with no follow-through? Highlighting a few success stories while ignoring systemic barriers?
Performative inclusion looks good—but changes nothing.
May 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
When inclusion is only on paper, students lose.
Is your district celebrating “diversity” without shifting power? Hosting equity trainings with no follow-through? Highlighting a few success stories while ignoring systemic barriers?
Performative inclusion looks good—but changes nothing.
Is your district celebrating “diversity” without shifting power? Hosting equity trainings with no follow-through? Highlighting a few success stories while ignoring systemic barriers?
Performative inclusion looks good—but changes nothing.
Guilt-tripping is manipulation.
It sounds like concern, like disappointment, like someone who just cares too much. But it’s not about caring—it’s about controlling.
You deserve peace that doesn’t come with a price tag.
#EmotionalManipulation #MentalHealthAwareness
It sounds like concern, like disappointment, like someone who just cares too much. But it’s not about caring—it’s about controlling.
You deserve peace that doesn’t come with a price tag.
#EmotionalManipulation #MentalHealthAwareness
May 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Guilt-tripping is manipulation.
It sounds like concern, like disappointment, like someone who just cares too much. But it’s not about caring—it’s about controlling.
You deserve peace that doesn’t come with a price tag.
#EmotionalManipulation #MentalHealthAwareness
It sounds like concern, like disappointment, like someone who just cares too much. But it’s not about caring—it’s about controlling.
You deserve peace that doesn’t come with a price tag.
#EmotionalManipulation #MentalHealthAwareness
Every school meeting is a chance to advocate for your child. Walk in with questions ready—about progress, goals, support, and what's working.
Prepared questions open doors to better collaboration, clearer plans, and stronger partnerships.
What do you always ask first?
Prepared questions open doors to better collaboration, clearer plans, and stronger partnerships.
What do you always ask first?
May 1, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Every school meeting is a chance to advocate for your child. Walk in with questions ready—about progress, goals, support, and what's working.
Prepared questions open doors to better collaboration, clearer plans, and stronger partnerships.
What do you always ask first?
Prepared questions open doors to better collaboration, clearer plans, and stronger partnerships.
What do you always ask first?
Too often, “accommodation” gets reduced to a checklist. But real access—especially for multilingual or culturally diverse students—needs context, connection, and care rooted in lived experience.
Let’s redefine inclusion.
How are you centering culture in your supports?
Let’s redefine inclusion.
How are you centering culture in your supports?
April 30, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Too often, “accommodation” gets reduced to a checklist. But real access—especially for multilingual or culturally diverse students—needs context, connection, and care rooted in lived experience.
Let’s redefine inclusion.
How are you centering culture in your supports?
Let’s redefine inclusion.
How are you centering culture in your supports?
When schools open their doors to families, we build bridges—not walls.
Outreach isn’t a one-time event. It’s consistent inclusion, communication, and care.
Let’s talk: What’s one thing your district does to support every student, every family, every day?
Outreach isn’t a one-time event. It’s consistent inclusion, communication, and care.
Let’s talk: What’s one thing your district does to support every student, every family, every day?
April 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
When schools open their doors to families, we build bridges—not walls.
Outreach isn’t a one-time event. It’s consistent inclusion, communication, and care.
Let’s talk: What’s one thing your district does to support every student, every family, every day?
Outreach isn’t a one-time event. It’s consistent inclusion, communication, and care.
Let’s talk: What’s one thing your district does to support every student, every family, every day?
If you suspect your child is struggling to learn, trust that instinct.
Start with observation—note where they shine and where they seem to stall. Bring those notes to a teacher, counselor, or specialist. You are not alone in this.
What helped you take the first step?
Start with observation—note where they shine and where they seem to stall. Bring those notes to a teacher, counselor, or specialist. You are not alone in this.
What helped you take the first step?
April 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
If you suspect your child is struggling to learn, trust that instinct.
Start with observation—note where they shine and where they seem to stall. Bring those notes to a teacher, counselor, or specialist. You are not alone in this.
What helped you take the first step?
Start with observation—note where they shine and where they seem to stall. Bring those notes to a teacher, counselor, or specialist. You are not alone in this.
What helped you take the first step?