Most people think autism is a communication disorder.
Dr. Dana Johnson would tell you that's only part of the story.
For more than 20 years, Dana has worked alongside incredible families who have shown her what resilience, patience, and hope truly look like. Through those years, she's come to believe something simple but powerful: a child can struggle and make incredible progress at the very same time.
Dana is an occupational therapist, holds a Ph.D. in Child Mental Health and Development, is the founder of the Spellers Centers in Tampa and Atlanta, and the co-creator of the Spellers Method. She's also the voice behind The Autism + Apraxia Doctor, where she teaches families and professionals to look at autism through a different lens by understanding the connection between the brain, the body, movement, and communication.
This conversation challenged a lot of assumptions.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the distinction between intelligence and the ability to demonstrate intelligence. Dr. Johnson explains that many non-speaking autistic individuals understand far more than they're given credit for, but their brains struggle to translate intention into purposeful movement. The challenge isn't always comprehension. Sometimes it's motor planning.
That completely changes how you look at a person. Instead of asking, "Do they understand?" we should start asking, "What if they do, but their body won't cooperate?"
We also talked about why so many families feel unheard, why parents often know something is different long before the healthcare system catches up, and why finding answers can cost years of frustration and thousands of dollars. Dana's work extends far beyond communication. She works with families to better understand movement, sensory processing, whole-body apraxia, nutrition, gut health, vision, and the nervous system as a whole.
As a former pharmacist, this conversation hit home for me. We discussed where autism research is heading, why better diagnostics matter, and how earlier identification could connect families with the right support sooner instead of forcing them to navigate years of uncertainty.
What stood out the most was Dana's belief that every person deserves to be presumed capable until proven otherwise. That belief has shaped her entire career. She sees potential where others often see limitations, and she's committed to giving families the tools to unlock it.
Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare professional, or simply someone who wants to better understand autism, I think this episode will challenge the way you think.
Give it a listen. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.
And as always...
Giddy Up
https://drdanajohnson.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@DrDanaJohnson
