Being neurodiversity affirming doesn’t mean avoiding challenge. It doesn’t mean staying where you are, only doing what’s easy or comfortable. We can do hard things. We can learn new stuff, try new stuff, stretch ourselves – and we absolutely should. The key is doing the right hard things, for the right reasons, with the right support, at the right time. That’s how growth happens without stress, burnout, or disconnection from who we really are.

“You get to define what the hard thing is in any one moment. If it feels hard, it is hard. That’s a valid, real experience.” - Adina Levy

 

In this crossover episode with my Differently Aligned Podcast, I share:

• Why doing hard things is not at odds with a neurodiversity affirming approach • My powerful framework to help neurodivergent folks of all ages to take on the right hard things with less stress and more support • Examples of how my framework looks for an Autistic boy learning to read, and for an ADHDer business owner working on changing up her chaotic non-systems.

LINKS & MORE SUPPORT • FREE WEBINAR: Build your Business without Burnout – for neurodivergent business owners, live on 16th June 2025 – https://ndbusiness.co/free-webinar-business-without-burnout/ 

• Neurodivergent Business Collective – my membership for neurodivergent service-based business owners – https://ndbusiness.co/neurodivergent-business-collective/

• New webinar for Allied Health Practice Owners (including and especially for sole traders!) - Diversifying Revenue Streams – webinar on innovative business models – https://playlearnchat.com/webinar-diversifying-revenue-streams/

• Blog post + visual model of my “You can do hard things” framework –

https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-56 

 

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 looks like “bad behaviour” is usually a nervous system asking for help. In this episode, we explore what regulation really is, why it’s really, really hard for kids to self-regulate, and what adults can do instead. From brain development to fidgets, co-regulation to Disney characters, we cover the real stuff that helps kids feel safe and supported.

“A caregiver’s regulation is the very first exposure a child has to what regulation is.” - Cheri Strecker, Occupational Therapist from Learn and Grow OT

Cheri 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 – @learn.grow.ot and @play.learn.chat

CONNECT WITH CHERI • @learn.grow.ot – Cheri’s Instagram account • @chargeyourmindprogram – updates and resources for Charge Your Mind Program • Learn and Grow OT – Cheri’s website, including her parent programs – https://www.learnandgrowot.com.au/programs • Regulation Rescue & other free downloadable guides and tools – https://www.learnandgrowot.com.au/free-resources

LINKS

• Watch this chat on YouTube: https://youtu.be/54HUN0lo7kw

• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson – book recommendation – https://www.amazon.com.au/Whole-Brain-Child-Revolutionary-Strategies-Developing/dp/0553386697

• Neurodivergent Business Coaching & Consulting – my other business supporting neurodivergent business owners – https://ndbusiness.co

   

 

 

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

If your gut says “this test isn’t showing the full story,” trust it – especially when working with Autistic children.   I'm sharing a live Q&A on Instagram (@play.learn.chat) every day Mon–Fri this week (31st March–4th April) – share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “We communicate in a different way. It’s not wrong. But standardised assessments will often make it seem like it is.” – Adina Levy   Answering Qs and sharing thoughts about: • why standardised assessments often fail to capture an Autistic child's communication • what to do instead: connection-first approaches and the CPIE assessment framework • how a custom AI tool can help reframe your report language to be more affirming   To get deeper and more actionable support around these topics and more, join me in my course! The Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course is NOW OPEN for enrolments! Doors close on Friday 4th April, 1pm Sydney time (AEDT) All the info is here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

This Q&A chat is all about how to work alongside other professionals when your approaches to supporting an Autistic child don’t quite align.   I'm sharing a live Q&A on Instagram (@play.learn.chat) every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “There is no point just telling people stuff, talking at them, when you know you're disagreeing... You may not actually be meeting them where they are or answering the questions or the fears that they actually have, or teaching them in the way that they actually learn.” - Adina Levy   Answering Qs and sharing thoughts about: • What to do when another therapist on the child's team isn’t affirming • How to approach sticky collaboration conversations with curiosity, not judgement • My PLAN framework for preparing, listening, adding your insights and finding next steps   To get deeper and more actionable support around these topics and more, join me in my course!  The Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course is NOW OPEN for enrollments! Doors close on Friday 4th April, 1pm Sydney time (AEDT) All the info is here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

Today's Q&As are on the topic of ALL COMMUNICATION IS VALID! Talking about PECS, and Artic therapy considerations   I'm sharing a live Q&A on Instagram (@play.learn.chat) every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “Speech, mouth words, are not the only valid way to communicate. If it’s not that person’s best form of communication in that moment, it’s not the best form of communication, full stop.”   Answering Qs and sharing thoughts about: • When speech sound/artic therapy fits a ND approach (and when it really doesn’t) • Why PECS is not ND affirming, but using visuals as a communication method or support IS ND affirming • How my custom AI tools help busy Speech Therapist take affirming concepts into practice, fast!   To get deeper and more actionable support around these topics and more, join me in my course!  The Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course is NOW OPEN for enrollments! Doors close on Friday 4th April, 1pm Sydney time (AEDT) All the info is here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

Curious how to support autistic kids in speech therapy without trying to change how they play? This 17 min episode is for you!   “Play and genuine playfulness—that is the context where learning, engagement and all the other things happen.”   I'm sharing a live Q&A on Instagram (@play.learn.chat) every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   In this session I'm answering Qs and sharing thoughts and examples about: • Why writing goals about changing a child’s play is missing the point, and what to do instead • What Neurodiversity Affirming play support really looks like, including examples of better goal wording • Why adult goals should be part of kids’ therapy plans, and how we can write progress notes that align with affirming practice   To get deeper and more actionable support around these topics and more, join me in my course!  The Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course is NOW OPEN for enrollments! Doors close on Friday 4th April, 1pm Sydney time (AEDT) All the info is here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/

Want to better support the Neurodivergent kids in your life, without falling for outdated myths? This episode is a must-listen.   “When a child is in distress, it is not the time to try and enforce boundaries and teach them a lesson... it's only going to lead to trauma, shame, and withdrawal.” Adina Levy   In this episode I cover: • Three common myths about neurodiversity affirming practice, and why they just don’t hold up • How to rethink structure, evidence, and communication in a way that truly centres the child • Why honouring all forms of communication, not just speech, is a radical and essential shift   Links and Resources mentioned:

• Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course - open until 4th April 2025! (or check out the link if you're peeping after that date to see when we're open next! https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/
• Free Turning Affirming Webinar - Recording available until until 4th April 2025! https://playlearnchat.com/free-speechie-webinar/ 
• Evolve your Affirming Practice Free Podcast-Based Mini Course for Speech Therapists - https://playlearnchat.com/evolve-your-affirming-practice-free-training/

YOU'RE INVITED! Free webinar 'Turning Affirming: Neurodiversity Affirming Practice in Action' on 14th March 2025 (Recording available for 2 weeks after).

A practical, myth-busting deep dive into key Neurodiversity Affirming Practice principles and tools you can implement immediately to better support your Autistic clients and students.

 

Learn more and register here: https://playlearnchat.com/free-speechie-webinar/

In this episode, we are mythbusting ND affirming practice. I hear too often phrases from people who don't quite get what neurodiversity affirming practice is, like ‘If we just let kids do whatever they want and don't extend them, they won't learn essential life skills’. Join me as I discuss what it means to support neurodivergent children and explore how affirming practices don’t just allow children to do whatever they want but rather guide them in extending their abilities in a supportive environment.

We'll explore different approaches to challenging situations, like swimming lessons for an autistic child, and how a truly affirming approach differs from traditional and passive methods. We'll also discuss the importance of safety, connection, and respect in learning environments, and how meeting these fundamental needs allows children to learn new skills effectively.

• Free Webinar For Professionals who Support Neurodivergent Children - Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Kickstart: 3 Actionable Tips to Do Today - Register here
• Free Webinar for Speech Therapists (Live on 14th March 2025): Turning Affirming - Register here
• Free podcast training for Speech Therapists: Evolve Your Affirming Practice - Register here
• Course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children  https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Doors opening soon! Get on the waitlist now to get the best offer when we're open for registrations!

 

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 unpacking some of the nuances behind behavioural strategies when supporting autistic children. I discuss how neurodiversity-affirming approaches can look in practice, focusing on connection over compliance and the need to find the deep reason behind a behaviour. I also touch on how behavioural approaches show up in our work and why it's crucial to think deeply about whether these approaches truly serve the best interests of the child.

  Links and resources mentioned:   FREE CHEATSHEET Neurodiversity Affirming Approaches to Supporting Behaviour - Download here Webinar: Affirming Approach to Understanding and Supporting Behaviour (Use code POD10 for 10% OFF) - Learn more here   Free podcast training for Speech Therapists: Evolve Your Affirming Practice - Register for free here Course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children - https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Doors opening soon! Get on the waitlist now to get the best offer when we're open for registrations!

 

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