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

 

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

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 Yes

Listen 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!

1. Black Friday Deals Week - Get on the waitlist now and get an extra 10% off everything! Deals run 25th - 29th November 2024

https://playlearnchat.com/deals-week/

1. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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