Episodes
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In this episode, I want to thank you for listening to the podcast over the last year or however long you've been here. It has been such a joy, delivering these thoughts and ideas to your magical ears. I'm always open to feedback, questions, suggestions, what you'd like me to cover in the next year.
As we wrap up the year, I invite you to revisit earlier episodes and if you are an allied health practitioner and you own a private practice, join my free mini-course, Streamline Your Practice. This course will help you streamline your processes and make your services more neurodiversity-affirming and accessible. I’ll share a sneak peek of what’s inside the course, like setting communication preferences that respect both your needs and your clients'.
Links:
Join Streamline Your Practice here: https://playlearnchat.kit.com/streamline-your-practice-course
Contact me with feedback suggestions for the podcast for 2025: [email protected]
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In this episode, we’re redefining what 'evidence' means in the context of disability support and questioning who gets to decide what counts as valid. I’ll also share updates about Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including changes related to art and music therapy. The NDIS is meant to fund and support disabled people to access what they need for a decent quality of life, but there are challenges worth discussing. Language warning! I get a little bit sweary in this episode because I feel strongly about these topics. If you’re listening with kids nearby, you might want to pop on some headphones! Links: Eye Contact Survey Results - www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact Podcast Episode 43 - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-43/ Making Groups Happen - https://playlearnchat.com/making-groups-happen-webinar/ Your Streamlined Practice - http://ndbusiness.co/your-streamlined-practice-workshop Podcast Guest Invitation - https://playlearnchat.com/contact/ Business Support for Neurodivergent Business Owners - https://ndbusiness.co/ Contact us at [email protected]
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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Missing episodes?
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With the end of the year coming in fast, many of us are experiencing a lot of change at the moment. For my family, this is a house move, and my daughter starting school soon. We’re all about saying “yes” as much as possible, to help us feel okay and connected during this busy and potentially tricky time.
In this episode, I share the 5 types of “yes” that you can consider, to support neurodivergent kids and adults, and anyone at all of course, through change:
Sensory Yes Activity Yes Control Yes Relationship Yes Flexibility YesListen in to hear examples of what these kinds of "yes" can look like, to support yourself, your family, or a kid in your world through a time of flux.
I shared 2 exciting things coming up!
Black Friday Deals Week - Get on the waitlist now and get an extra 10% off everything! Deals run 25th - 29th November 2024https://playlearnchat.com/deals-week/
My upcoming Your Streamlined Practice live Workshop - limited to just 11 spots and running, in person in Sydney on Friday 10th & 17th January 2025. More info on the Deals Week page! Doors will be open for this on Wednesday 27th November (with earlybird pricing AND extra 10% off if you're on the Black Friday waitlist!)Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In this episode, I had the absolute joy of chatting with Marge Blanc about Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). Marge has spent over 50 years supporting children’s language development, and her openness and curiosity have shaped so much of what we know today. We discuss how paying close attention to children’s unique communication and interactions can inform how we support them. We cover these areas and more: Key terms - Marge defines GLP, ALP, and NLA History and shifts in our understanding of GLP and NLA The state of research and the various forms that our 'evidence' can and should take Research gaps and future directions Responding to critics of NLA and GLP Simple and deeply important strategies to support Autistic children - for parents and professionals This episode is an insightful overview of 'where we've been and where we're going'... and my deep overt admiration for Marge’s work! Whether you’re a speech therapist, educator, or parent, you’ll come away inspired to support Neurodivergent children in meaningful, individualised ways. Marge and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me [email protected] or get in touch with us on Instagram - Marge is @blancmarge and I'm @play.learn.chat Links and resources discussed: The Communication Development Center: https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/ The Speech Den Gestalt Language Processors Conference: https://register.glpconference.co.uk/gestalt-language-processors-2024-conference Barry Prizant's articles about Echolalia: https://barryprizant.com/resources/downloads/echolalia-articles/ Marge Blanc's article 'Finding the Words to tell the "whole" story - Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum(2005) https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Finding-the-words-to-tell-the-whole-story.pdf Uniquely Human Podcast Episode 114 - Marge Blanc and Alex Zachos speaking with Barry Prizant - https://uniquelyhuman.com/2024/09/13/gestalt-language-processing-and-natural-language-acquisition-marge-blanc-alex-zachos/ Marge’s training through AGOSCI - What’s Good About Echolalia? It’s Language Development! https://www.agosci.org.au/event-4909602 Facebook Group: Gestalt language processor - natural language acquisition https://www.facebook.com/groups/997863334533291 Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In this episode, I share the results of a recent survey I ran where almost 40 Autistic people shared their perspectives and experiences with eye contact. I created this survey and am sharing the responses to address the question of 'WHY eye contact is no longer an OK goal for Autistic people'. Listen in to hear the surprising and diverse insights that came through! Read the full responses from all the participants here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact I hope that you will share this podcast episode and that blog post as resources to support other people in your life to understand just some of the differing perspectives and experiences that Autistic folks have around eye contact. I'm keeping this survey open for more responses, so if you're Autistic or you support an Autistic person please feel free to share insights here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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What a fabulously important (and fun!) chat with Christina Schmidt as she shared perspectives as a Black AuDHDer, Speech Therapist and deep thinker. Join us for some fabulous metaphors, and stay for the essential intersectional and cultural competency discussions. Connect with Christina Schmidt: https://www.freetobemespeech.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/freetobeme.speech/ https://www.facebook.com/freetobemespeech 2024 Autism in Black Women and Girl's Summit - https://funnel.autisminblack.org/black-autistic-girls-and-womens-summit?aff=Christina-Schmidt Christina's free tool: Improving Cultural Competency: A Practical Resource for SLPs and Teachers - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Improving-Cultural-Competency-A-Practical-Resource-for-SLPs-and-Teachers-12056756?st=2b5e1be4ea72a0105eb2bee56eef321c Other resources and Black advocates/content creators/educators that we discussed" Article: Is neurodiversity a Global Northern White paradigm? (Nair, V. K., Farah, W., & Boveda, M. (2024). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13623613241280835 Other Black AuDHDers: Khadija Gbla Chenai Mupotsa-Russell Alina Gene-Lee Decolonising resources: Decolonising therapy - Dr Jennifer Mullan Deconstructing Neuro - T Jamaica Pogue Pat Radical Therapist - Patricia Check Your Privilege - Myisha T Hill Other resources: Autism in Black Autistic - Autism While Black Instagram: Black and Neurodiverse Instagram: Divine Design Australia Books: ‘Afrotistic’ and ‘Autistic and Black - Our Experiences of Growth, Progress and Empowerment’ by Kala Allen Omeiza Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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Today I'm sharing some of the ways that being an ADHDer is a strength for me as a business owner, and a few ways it makes things challenging. If you're listening on my Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, and you'd like to learn more from me in my 'other hat' where I support Neurodivergent Business owners, here's how you can find me: Subscribe to the Differently Aligned Podcast Follow me on Instagram @neurodivergent.business Through Play. Learn. Chat., my course for Speech Therapists 'Affirming Communication for Autistic Children': https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Grab 20% off my already-low-cost workbook - The Aligned Business Workbook for Neurodivergent Business Owners. Use code POD20 here: https://courses.ndbusiness.co/offers/kdZKBFa3?coupon_code=POD20
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Today I'm sharing some of the ways that being Autistic is a strength for me as a business owner, and a few ways it makes things challenging. I first shared this episode on my podcast for Neurodivergent Business Owners - Differently Aligned. I feel like this will be useful for anyone supporting ND children to see 1 version (my own experience) of how an ND human might create a work/business life for themselves that fits their neurotype and strengths. If you're listening on my Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, and you'd like to learn more from me in my 'other hat' where I support Neurodivergent Business owners, here's how you can find me: Subscribe to the Differently Aligned Podcast Follow me on Instagram @neurodivergent.business Grab 20% off my already-low-cost workbook - The Aligned Business Workbook for Neurodivergent Business Owners. Use code POD20 here: https://courses.ndbusiness.co/offers/kdZKBFa3?coupon_code=POD20
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In this episode, I had the joy of chatting with Dr. Katherine Sanchez, a speech pathologist, science communicator, and lecturer. We talk about the nuances and complexities of what ‘evidence-based practice’ really is, including the importance of integrating lived experience into clinical decisions, how to assess research critically, and tools to facilitate evidence-based practices. And we go there… We talk about where the research is at for Gestalt Language Processing, a pretty hot-button topic these days! LINKS Connect with Dr Katherine Sanchez: www.proteatherapy.com.au www.instagram.com/proteatherapy Resources & Research Tools we discussed: ASHA Evidence-based process - https://www.asha.org/research/ebp/evidence-based-practice-process/ Natural Language Acquisition Study Group on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NLAStudyGroup/ Hutchins et all article - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23969415241249944 Article Katherine discussed - https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/magazine/reaching-my-autistic-son-through-disney.html The Informed SLP - www.instagram.com/theinformedslp The Informed SLP summary about GLP - https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/let-s-give-them-something-to-gestalt-about SpeechBite - http://www.speechbite.com/ ASHA Evidence Maps - https://find.asha.org/evidencemaps/
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In this episode I examine the question: Is a Neurodiversity Affirming approach to behaviour support a permissive approach? We talk about whether 'permissive' is a bad word, saying yes before saving no, boundaries, and I share examples of different approaches to supporting behaviour. LINKS Grab you FREE CHEATSHEET: Neurodiversity Affirming Approaches to Supporting Behaviour - https://playlearnchat.ck.page/7193b7c5f3 Webinar: Affirming Approach to Understanding & Supporting Behaviour - Get 20% off with code POD20 - https://courses.playlearnchat.com/offers/sy2GL5B6?coupon_code=POD20 Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In today's episode, I'm keeping it short and sweet. I'm going to share eight of my biggest hopes for the kids, today and tomorrow. I'll also share a few wonderful hopes that some beautiful folks shared on Instagram. I have such desire to go deep into commenting further on each one of these hopes. Into the practical, how we get there, but I'm going to leave that for myself in future episodes. I think it's really important sometimes to pull it back and remember why we're here. What is the big dream? The big vision, the big hope.
Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course for Speech Therapists - Learn more and join the waitlist here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
In today's episode, I'm going to run you through five simple shifts that you can make to take your practices from what we might call old ways towards a truly neurodiversity affirming approach. We're going to cover interest based learning, accepting old play as valid, understanding and honoring sensory challenges or differences, whether we should be teaching children to learn flexibility or not, and what we should do instead of saying "use your words" to children, which is probably one of my most hated phrases.
Keep learning with me!
Speech Therapists - Here's how I can help you get there, make the shifts and gain confidence that you're doing Neurodiversity Affirming Practices when you support Autistic children!
My course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children is open for enrolment right now! Doors are only open until 5th July. You’ll get 12 months access so you can register now and participate in the course anytime you’re ready in the next year! More info here ➝ https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down for a wonderful chat with Stephanie Robertson, who is a great friend colleague and really wise autistic ADHD. She's an occupational therapist and has many other identities as well. This chat that we're going to have is about the intersection between being an autistic ADHD and how it's sometimes work for us or works against us.
Keep learning with me!
Speech Therapists! Affirming Communication for Autistic Children course opening very soon, join the waitlist early June if you're listening when this comes out live for the best deals! Doors open 2x a year only so check it out here ➝ playlearnchat.com/speechie-course
Connect with Steph - SGR Occupational Therapy:
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
www.sgroccupationaltherapy.com
Instagram: @sgroccupationaltherapy
Facebook: SGR Holistic and Family Focused Occupational Therapy - https://www.facebook.com/SGROccupationalTherapy
Facebook group: The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1258437025035170
YouTube: The Spiritual OT - https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpiritualOT -
In this episode, I wanted to share with you a brief section from my recent webinar, Collaborative Connections, where I talked all about how you can actually get children involved in their collaborative teams. I'm going to share practical suggestions about how you can actually involve children in these situations so that they can be a core part of their own journey. Their self advocacy ability can increase when you support and guide them and you're including them in their whole process. You're supporting self determination, choice making, and honouring them as a whole human by showing them the value of their own perspectives.
Keep learning with me!
Register for the Communicate and Connect Webinar Series for Professionals who support Neurodivergent Children: https://playlearnchat.com/c-and-c using discount code BUNDLE25 for 25% off until midnight 12th June 2024! Register here: https://courses.playlearnchat.com/offers/8BDd2eoH/checkout?coupon_code=BUNDLE25 The 3 webinars in the series are: Responsive Relationships: Communication Strategies for Professionals to Connect with Neurodivergent Children Collaborative Connections: Coach and Communicate with Carers & Teams of Neurodivergent Children Supportive Spaces: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Environments to Support Neurodivergent Children in their CommunitiesSpeech Therapists - get on waitlist for my Affirming Communication for Autistic Children course! Doors are opening in June and those on the waitlist get the best offers! - https://playlearnchat.com/speechie-course
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
In this episode, I'll share my journey to identification as an Autistic ADHDer. I recently got an email from another speech therapist who is in the neuro questioning phase. And she asked me this "As I understand you were late diagnosed. I wanted to ask you about your experience getting diagnosed and what you feel have been the benefits and drawbacks of it" and I really, really thank you for this email. And interestingly, I think within a day I got a message on Instagram from somebody else with a very similar question. So I thought it is probably high time for me to share a bit more about my journey through AuDHD identification and diagnosis here on the podcast, because the bits that I do share always get interesting. I had a long time of questioning before I decided I wanted to seek formal identification (a.k.a. diagnosis). Here's how my journey went...
Keep learning with me!
Register for the Communicate and Connect Webinar Series for Professionals who support Neurodivergent Children: https://playlearnchat.com/c-and-c using discount code POD10 for 10% off! The 3 webinars in the series are: Responsive Relationships: Communication Strategies for Professionals to Connect with Neurodivergent Children Collaborative Connections: Coach and Communicate with Carers & Teams of Neurodivergent Children Supportive Spaces: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Environments to Support Neurodivergent Children in their Communities Born on a blue day book - Daniel Tammet: https://a.co/d/5PJefFj Yellow Ladybugs conference: https://ylbconference2024.vfairs.com/ Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
In this episode, I'm going to be sharing some practical ideas about how you can tackle a challenge that a lot of us experience. Whether you're a therapist, a teacher, a parent, or a carer of a neurodivergent child. At some point when supporting this child, you're going to be interacting with a team around them. And at some point you're going to be experiencing different approaches to how you will support that title, how you believe that child should be supported. It can be incredibly hard to navigate these different perspectives and to find that common ground and come to a productive point in how you work together to achieve solid support for this child.
I'm going to share the following five strategies that can be very useful for conflict resolution, but also give you an example of what that might sound like, exactly what you might say, depending on the situation of course:
1. Build Empathy
2. Ask open-ended questions with curiosity
3. Take time to reflect and process in private
4. Assess possible outcomes
5. Collaborate to come to solutions togetherKeep learning with me!
Episode 9 of the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast: Collaboration & Advocacy: When others aren't aligned with your Neurodiversity Affirming approach to supporting Neurodivergent Kids: https://pod.link/1625478932/episode/248b03be6c287bbadb09dd2264a0933d
Register for the Communicate and Connect Webinar Series for Professionals who support Neurodivergent Children: https://playlearnchat.com/c-and-c using discount code POD10 for 10% off! The 3 webinars in the series are: Responsive Relationships: Communication Strategies for Professionals to Connect with Neurodivergent Children Collaborative Connections: Coach and Communicate with Carers & Teams of Neurodivergent Children Supportive Spaces: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Environments to Support Neurodivergent Children in their Communities Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
In this episode, I'm super excited to be talking about a topic that is just deeply embedded in my clinical practice, in my worldview and in how I support autistic children in my whole life. And that topic is Responsive relationship strategies for building connection with the autistic children in your life. We'll be outlining some of the ideas behind what forms responsive relationships. And the opposite, what forms directive relationships and why that can be quite damaging or challenging for your relationship with the autistic kids in your world.
Register for the Communicate and Connect Webinar Series for Professionals who support Neurodivergent Children: https://playlearnchat.com/c-and-c using discount code POD10 for 10% off! The 3 webinars in the series are: Responsive Relationships: Communication Strategies for Professionals to Connect with Neurodivergent Children Collaborative Connections: Coach and Communicate with Carers & Teams of Neurodivergent Children Supportive Spaces: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Environments to Support Neurodivergent Children in their Communities Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat -
Self-advocacy is not as simple as just learning one skill or one isolated thing. In the neurodiversity affirming world and in the therapy world, we love talking about self-advocacy, but what is it and how do you get there? I like to think of the components of self-advocacy is being broken up into four main sub parts: Supportive Environment & Community - Safe people and spaces that encourage, believe you, facilitate and offer support Self-awareness of Needs & Preferences - You need to be aware of what you like, need, and don’t like or don’t want Self-worth & Confidence - You need to believe you’re worthy of support, and feel confident and secure enough to ask for what you want/need Ability to Communicate - You need to be capable of communicating your preferences, choices and protests in a way that others around you understand In this episode, I outline what each of those parts are, why they're so important. And some ideas and examples for how this can look in practice. Keep learning with me! Register for the Communicate and Connect Webinar Series for Professionals who support Neurodivergent Children: https://playlearnchat.com/c-and-c The 3 webinars in the series are: Responsive Relationships: Communication Strategies for Professionals to Connect with Neurodivergent Children Collaborative Connections: Coach and Communicate with Carers & Teams of Neurodivergent Children Supportive Spaces: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Environments to Support Neurodivergent Children in their Communities Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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In this episode, I explore the reasons and impacts of masking for high-masking autistic people (who are often, but not always girls, AFAB, or non-binary folks). I talk some ways that high-masking autistic people can appear in the world, and share my hope for the future of Autistic kids and people everywhere to feel freer and more comfortable to know and be themselves!
Yellow Ladybugs Conference that I mention: https://ylbconference2024.vfairs.com/ - If you have ANY Autistic people in your life who are girls/women/AFAB/nonbinary, this is the event of the YEAR. It's 3 days online and the 3rd day is also in person, in Melbourne. I'll be there! I'm also on a panel for the 2nd year and adore this organisation and conference. Want to learn more with me? Register for my free webinar to kickstart your ND Affirming Practice journey: https://playlearnchat.com/free-neurodiversity-webinar/Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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📺 Watch the video of our chat on YouTube: https://youtu.be/22ZWxDEFtSw?si=V0OqWgrIsYkNenh3 Get in touch with Chelsea Luker: www.connectuspsychology.com @Connectuspsychology (Instagram) - https://www.instagram.com/connectuspsychology/ Connect Us Psychology (FB) - https://www.facebook.com/connectuspsychology Grab her book Square Me Round World https://connectuspsychology.com/product/square-me-round-world-hardcover-book/ - this is the preferred link for the hardcover version. International should be able to find the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Waterstones etc. https://www.amazon.com.au/Square-Me-Round-World-Stories/dp/0648605515 Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932 Website: www.playlearnchat.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat
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