Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from 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. 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 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

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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

• Complete the 3 minute podcast survey to help me plan 2024! playlearnchat.com/survey
• Neurodivergent business owners, please join me for the Aligned Business Workshop! Through my new business Neurodivergent Business Coaching & Consulting - https://differentlyaligned.com/workbook/

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

It's non-negotiable to be supporting, modelling, using, teaching multimodal communication to autistic kids. And I share why in this episode. Here are my 5 reasons why multimodal communication is essential for autistic children: 1. We all use multimodal communication 2. It is a human right to be able to access communication in different modes 3. Speech or mouth words can be hard for many reasons. And it's not the ultimate or 'best' way of communicating 4. The most important thing about communication is that it can lead to connection 5. Many autistic children have processing challenges and sensory challenges which can lead to varying communication abilities. Multimodal communication offers a range of ways to take on and share messages to accommodate for fluctuating needs LINKS: My Affirming Communication for Autistic Children is now open - join now and access it any time in the next 12 months: playlearnchat.com/acac-course If you're a speech therapist, I hope you'll join me for my free 3-day challenge 'Evolve Your Affirming Practice'. You can find out all the info and register at playlearnchat.com/challenge. Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast Episode 7: All Communication is Valid - Why it might be hard for an autistic child to speak - https://pod.link/1625478932/episode/55ffb7ac277b9a40deef79b6b984caa4 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

I'm sharing 3 strategies that we need to leave in the past, and 3 strategies that are more aligned with a Neurodiversity Affirming approach - let's call them 'Old way' and 'new way'! OLD WAY: First do the boring 'work' task, then do the fun activity NEW WAY: Use intrinsic motivation: Ensure that the 'main' activity is motivating for the child OLD WAY: Intrude - Insert yourself into the child's play when they're playing solo NEW WAY: Join in with the child... Sometimes. Let them play solo sometimes. Honour their sensory & social capacity OLD WAY: Shape an Autistic child's play to look more 'normal'... More like neurotypical children's play NEW WAY: Honour & enjoy the child's individual way of playing. And sometimes add small new ideas as an offer, with no pressure LINKS: If you're a speech therapist, you're invited to join my FREE 3-day Challenge 'Evolving your Affirming Practice' - www.playlearnchat.com/challenge Registrations are now open for my Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course for Speech Therapists! Head over here to check it out: 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'm sharing with you the ingredients that go into a Neurodiversity Affirming speech therapy assessment. We'll talk about my framework 'CPIE' — Child, Partner, Interaction, Environment — and how it frames our approach to understanding the communication skills of Autistic children within the context of their relationships & worlds. Whether you're a speech therapist, educator, parent, or caregiver, you'll gain insights on the importance of seeing beyond the child's immediate abilities and considering their functional opportunities, important relationships, and environmental impacts. Discover why Neurodiversity Affirming, holistic assessments are vital, and how it can strengthen the support we provide to Autistic children and to the other people in their lives. LINKS: Register for my totally FREE webinar for Speechies: Turning Affirming - for Speech Therapists Supporting Autistic Children - It's available on-demand, any time you are! Register today for the 30 minute webinar and I'll send you the link to watch: https://playlearnchat.com/free-speechie-webinar/ Join my Affirming Communication for Autistic Children Course: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Link to view the CPIE visual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JxrICr0qSwulkH2LFjNkwnhuDapLfkmd/view?usp=sharing

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

This episode is a very personal one where I'm going to share my experiences and insights as an autistic ADHDer who was pregnant at the time of recording, with a particular focus on the positives and negatives that I've experienced throughout the pregnancy in terms of how I've been supported (or not...) through the medical system. I also share some points about where I think things need to improve in all of these different medical and allied health settings, to be more accessible and neurodivergent-friendly. LINKS:

• Lap desk - Officeworks & Amazon
• My Streamline and Automate Your Private Practice Webinar - https://differentlyaligned.com/streamline-automate-your-private-practice-webinar
• Annie Crowe's upcoming book 'NeuroAccessibility: How to Build Accessible Healthcare for Neurodivergent People' – https://www.amazon.com.au/NeuroAccessibility-Accessible-Healthcare-Neurodivergent-People-ebook/dp/B0BZL7HGKH

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

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, I delve into the world of auditory sensitivities as experienced by an autistic person... that's me! I give you a glimpse into my own personal journey with significant auditory challenges.

First I discuss how I navigate and process my unique auditory experiences. Then I shed light on some effective strategies that benefit me and also my daughter.

Whether you're supporting an autistic or auditory-sensitive child, or even looking for insights into your own experiences, these insights and strategies might just be what you need!

LINKS:

Speech Therapists! Get yourself on the waitlist for the Affirming Communication for Autistic Children course, which is for speech therapists all around the world: 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

SHOW NOTES: 'Naughty' and 'lazy' are two words that I can't stand, especially when it comes to describing young kids, neurodivergent kids. I don't believe, in the vast majority of cases, neurodivergent kids are lazy or naughty. However, unfortunately, these are some of the labels that often get placed onto these kids by people who don't understand them much. In this episode, I break down these ideas - why neurodivergent kids aren't lazy or naughty. LINKS: My free webinar for Allied Health Professionals - available for you anytime! Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Kickstart Webinar - I share three actionable tips that you can do right away when you watch it - Register at www.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