Show Notes: In this episode I chat with the fabulous Chrissie Davies, from Chaos to Calm Consultancy and author of books including the wonderful 'Love Me Love my ADHD' and 'Love your Brain'.   We discuss all kinds of big ideas around trauma-informed practice in schools, tips for families supporting neurodivergent children, practicing radical acceptance, and building trusting relationships with children.   Watch our interview as a video on YouTube if that's your groove! https://youtu.be/OF6LG5Bqtv8     LINKS: Chrissie's website: https://www.chaostocalmconsultancy.com/ Find Chrissie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/chrissiechaostocalm/ Chrissie's book 'Love Me Love my ADHD' - https://www.chaostocalmconsultancy.com/love-me-love-my-adhd Chrissie's book 'Love your Brain' - https://www.chaostocalmconsultancy.com/product/love-your-brain

Sharing 3 key strategies for therapists supporting Autistic children: 🤫 The Power of Silence 🤗 Valuing Relationship-Building Time 🗣 Growing into Advocacy   This is a shortie version of my free webinar for Speech Therapists who support Autistic Children - Turning Affirming! Speech Therapists ➝ You're welcome to register to get the full webinar free - https://playlearnchat.com/free-speechie-webinar/ - it's available on-demand 🙂   My course for speech therapists 'Affirming Communication for Autistic Children' is open for enrollment (at the time this episode is out!) and doors close on 1st August 2023. If you're seeing and hearing this after that date, no worries, get on the waitlist to be first to hear when doors open next & get super duper offers!   Learn more about the course here: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/  

 

Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932

Website: www.playlearnchat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat

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Today I'm sharing a shortie, practical episode - all about how you can teach neurodivergent children about self-advocacy in these 3 ways:   - Explicit teaching (this doesn't mean swear words!) - Model when you did and didn’t self-advocate - Incidental teaching as natural opportunities arise   Listen in to hear some ideas for how these teaching strategies can look in action with the neurodivergent kids that you support!     LINKS: Speech Therapists! Join the waitlist for my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children: https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ Doors officially open on 24th July 2023 (but if you're listening at a different date, head over there to find out when the course is open!)   And also for speechies, you're invited to my free webinar 'Turning Affirming', which is running live on Monday 24th July 2023 and the recording will be available afterwards so register any time! Here's your link ➝ https://playlearnchat.com/free-speechie-webinar/ You'll learn 3 practical, Neurodiversity Affirming strategies to support your Autistic clients.   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 my perspectives about the role that 'play' should take in speech therapy sessions for autistic children.   I also share my ideas for how you can support learning and progression towards various goals for a child, through connecting with the way they enjoy playing!     If you're a Speechie and you're keen to learn more with me, hop on the Waitlist for my upcoming course - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children! You'll be first to hear when doors open and get a bonus and discount!: 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

I'm sharing 8 key ways you can do Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy - You can find all of the points I discuss on the free PDF download here: Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy Practices for SLPs supporting Autistic Children: https://playlearnchat.ck.page/76b2db1d09   Here are the 8 key practices that I encourage you to do, as a Neurodiversity Affirming Therapist:  

1. Accept all forms of communication as valid - actions, gestures, sounds, signs, AAC, visuals
2. Plan sessions around using child’s interests and motivating topics as the main activities
3. Join the child (sometimes), playing in their way. Or let them play in their way solo
4. Support the child to listen and attend to others in their own way
5. Observe & use the child’s sensory preferences to build engagement and support their participation at all times
6. Assess children using holistic tools and qualitative approaches that consider child & family perspectives & quality of life
7. Set collaborative goals that are for the child’s benefit - leading to wellbeing and connectedness
8. Set collaborative goals that are about changing the world around the child (other people, environments, expectations) to be most supportive

  👩‍🎓 🌈 If you're a Speechie and you're keen to learn more with me, hop on the Waitlist for my upcoming course - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children! You'll be first to hear when doors open and get a bonus and discount!: 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 chat with the wonderful Annie Crowe. Friend, Neurodivergent Empowerment Coach and NeuroAccess Consultant who brings her lived experience as a late-identified Autistic ADHDer 2e PDAer, together with her professional experience as a human rights lawyer to help neurodivergent adults gain the skills, confidence and community needed to live their best neurodivergent life!   We go all sorts of places in our chat, including: • How healthcare settings can be more NeuroAccessible & supportive for neurodivergent people • What to do with non-affirming information that many of us learn at university • How Annie advocates for her son’s needs with his childcare educators... shifting their perception of autism to a more strengths-based understanding • Some great nuggets of advice for neurodivergent parents • Using tech tools for 'knowledge management' - technology that supports our executive functioning challenges   Watch our interview as a video on YouTube if that's your groove! https://youtu.be/6IpaIvNXGL0   LINKS: Annie's Links - https://linktr.ee/anniecrowe Annie on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_anniecrowe/ Princess & the Pea Podcast - https://pod.link/1621639421 Annie's book 'NeuroAccessibility: How to Build Accessible Healthcare for Neurodivergent People' - https://www.amazon.com.au/NeuroAccessibility-Accessible-Healthcare-Neurodivergent-People-ebook/dp/B0BZL7HGKH ABC News article we mentioned - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-21/managing-autism-in-hospital-setting/102364014     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 three actionable, practical changes that you can make (or start to make) today around language, relationship strategies, and a commitment to keep learning, to support you on your Neurodiversity Affirming Practice journey.   This is an abridged version of my recent webinar (Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Kickstart: 3 Actionable Tips to do Today), where I share actions you can start doing right now to help you become more confident that your approach as a professional who supports neurodivergent kids is aligned more and more with a Neurodiversity Affirming approach.   LINKS: All the resources that I discussed and more are linked here: www.playlearnchat.com/resources   Join me so I can support you going deeper into your Neurodiversity Affirming Practice journey! 2 Hour Introductory workshop for Allied Health Professionals: https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-intro-workshop/ 1-Day Online Workshop for Allied Health Professionals, live on July 6th 2023: https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-1-day-online-workshop/

In this fabulous chat with Stephanie Robertson, Neurodivergent OT, we chat about all kinds of topics including:

• her journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance
• the impact of masking on mental health and well-being
• the need for systemic change and neurodiversity affirming practices to create an inclusive and supportive environment for neurodivergent people
• moving away from behaviourism
• understanding the intergenerational nature of parenting and education
• promoting empathy, acceptance, and a broader version of social norms
• holistic ways to support neurodivergent children
• the need for self-care and finding personal joy in life.

    Connect with Steph - SGR Occupational Therapy: 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     Learn more with Adina from Play. Learn. Chat. Allied Health Professionals and Education Professionals! You're invited to my FREE Webinar! Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Kickstart: 3 Actionable Tips to do Today https://playlearnchat.com/free-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

In this episode for parents and professionals who support autistic and neurodivergent children, I share my response to a very common question - What should I do when other people don't agree with my neurodiversity affirming approach to supporting autistic or neurodivergent kids?   I've got 7 ideas to share about how to collaborate and advocate when you're not aligned with the other person's approach. Here's the short list:  

1. Build relationships - connection over compliance
2. Regulate yourself
3. Find their ways of learning
4. Educate in their way
5. Understand their barriers - get curious
6. Go slooooow
7. Know when to walk away

  I share a lot more about these topics with parents and professionals in my webinars and workshops. Keen to learn more with me?   For Parents: Free download for you: My checklist How Neurodiversity Affirming is your Child's Team -playlearnchat.com/freebies   Webinar: Affirming Goal-Setting for Neurodivergent Children - https://courses.playlearnchat.com/offers/2E3y5pDR/checkout   For Professionals: Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Learning Hub! Available on-demand, any time, anywhere: https://courses.playlearnchat.com/offers/S8HwcApW/checkout   LIVE IN SYDNEY! Neurodiversity Affirming Practice 1-Day Workshop – Tues 11th July 2023 https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-1-day-sydney-workshop/   LIVE ONLINE! Neurodiversity Affirming Practice 1-Day Workshop – Thurs 6th July 2023 https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-1-day-sydney-workshop/   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

Picture this. You take your child to swimming class and it's a pretty unfamiliar environment. They haven't met the teacher before. It's noisy. It's all new and pretty overwhelming. It might also be quite enticing and interesting, but there's also a huge dose of new and unknown in there.   The time comes around for your child's lesson to start. And you take your child over to the edge of the pool. The teacher's standing in the pool, looking up. Checking the clock and saying, "just pass it to me. She'll be okay."   Your child does not agree. Your child is clinging to you. Crying screaming and quite simply not feeling ready to do what the teacher is asking.   We all learn best through connection, relationship building when we're in a calm headspace. When we're intrigued, when we're feeling supported. Put simply, nobody learns well when they're in a state of trauma.   Today we discuss why teaching kids through trauma isn't the way, and ideas for how teaching through connection can look.   Learn more with me about this topic and many others!   For Allied Health Professionals:

• Join me for the 1-day Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Workshop in Sydney – Tuesday 11th July 2023 – https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-1-day-sydney-workshop/
• Join me for the 1-day Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Workshop Online – Thursday 6th July 2023 – https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-practice-1-day-online-workshop/

If those live dates don’t suit you, that’s OK! Loads of Neurodiversity Affirming Practice professional development is available for a discount when you bundle it up into the Learning Hub access – https://courses.playlearnchat.com/offers/S8HwcApW/checkout   And find your own pathway for Neurodiversity Affirming Practice professional learning here: https://playlearnchat.com/professionals/     For parents of preschool-aged autistic or possibly autistic children: Join my on-demand parent course Connect & Grow: https://playlearnchat.com/connect-and-grow-course/ Get 20% off for fabulous podcast listeners by using the code POD20