Let's Talk About Super Special Kids & Cake

Let's Talk About Super Special Kids & Cake!

Season 3: Episode 2

Late talkers and Autistic Toddlers

In this episode Auntie Donia and Granny Rhea discuss was how to determine if a toddler who is not talking is autistic or simply a late talker.

· Autistic toddlers often show unusual sensory interests, rigidity/need for control, and reduced social interest compared to late talkers.

· Late talkers typically have age-appropriate social skills and play, but limited vocalizations and babbling.

· Getting a comprehensive assessment, including an ADOS evaluation, is important to make an accurate diagnosis.

Auntie Donia and Granny Rhea discuss the process of getting an assessment and early intervention services for toddlers with speech/language delays or suspected autism:

· In the US, children under 3 are entitled to an assessment through the local school system.

· In the UK, there are often long waitlists, but families can seek support from charities in the meantime.

· The assessment involves observations by a multi-disciplinary team and an interview with parents to get a full picture of the child's development.

Auntie Donia and Granny Rhea discuss tips for how parents can support language learning at home for late-talking toddlers, even before formal intervention:

· Narrate and comment on the child's play and daily routines, using a variety of vocabulary.

· Incorporate songs, fingerplays, and "people games" that encourage interaction and imitation.

· Allow wait time for the child to respond, and interpret any attempts at communication positively.

· These strategies can benefit both late talkers and children with autism

Gestalt language processing (GLP) with guest Dr. Tiffany Hutchins.

Episode One: with Dr Donia Fahim, Professor Rhea Paul and Professor Tiffany Hutchins

Rhea Paul introduces Dr. Tiffany Hutchins, an expert in cognitive science and social cognition, who has published an article examining the pros, cons, and implications of Gestalt-based therapies and natural language acquisition-based therapies for children with autism. The group is eager to hear Dr. Hutchins' perspectives on these theories and therapies.

Dr. Hutchins explains that as a speech-language therapist and researcher, she became interested in examining Gestalt language processing (GLP) and natural language acquisition (NLA) theories when they gained popularity a few years ago, as her students and colleagues had many questions about the claims and evidence surrounding these approaches.

Dr. Hutchins discusses how delayed echolalia can predict language growth in young autistic children, but argues that echolalia is not the direct cause of language gains. Rather, echolalia can be a useful communicative strategy that supports language development, but is not necessary for advancing language skills.

Dr. Hutchins outlines several challenges to the GLP and NLA theories, including the circular logic in defining GLP, the lack of evidence supporting the claim that autistic individuals are "Gestalt language processors", and the stage-based model of language development proposed by NLA, which is not supported by research on gradual language growth.

Dr. Hutchins reviews the specific therapy recommendations that flow from the NLA stage model, such as using long, unanalyzed utterances and avoiding single words and verbs. She argues that these recommendations are not supported by evidence and are unlikely to effectively support language development in autistic children.

Dr. Hutchins concludes by acknowledging some positive aspects of NLA, such as increased awareness of the communicative value of echolalia. However, she emphasizes the need to move beyond the flawed GLP and NLA theories and explore other evidence-based approaches, such as conversation analysis, to better support language development in autistic

In this first podcast of Season 2, Dr. Donia Fahim and Professor Rhea Paul talk about Assessment. What should you expect from your child's assessment and who will carry it out?

Before, during and after: How to prepare yourself and your child, what happens during the appointment, and what can you expect following the assessment. They'll answer a question about what is meant by verbal and non-verbal abilities in psychological assessments and discuss the language we use when talking about people with disabilities.

Finally, in the 'Eating Cake for Breakfast' segment, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia urge you to have fun with your super special child in everyday ways: Jump in puddles, walk barefoot on the grass or squidge your toes in the sand.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

Join Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) in today's podcast as they talk about transitioning through school and how to support your child through the significant changes this brings.

They answer a question on why cognitively typical children might struggle academically at school. In 'Things that make us go aargh' they discuss hyper-focus on developmental differences and the importance of remembering that all children are different and develop at different times, but this doesn't mean that there is an underlying diagnosis to find. And how to have fun making home-made audio books with favourite story books from your own home.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

Following on from the last podcast discussion around transitioning through school, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) discuss transitioning beyond school, what happens after your child leaves full time education and how to support your young adult's strengths, interests and independence.

They talk about disfluency and how to support your verbal child with Autism who stutters or stammers. Stereotypical expectations about children with Autism is the focus of what makes them go 'aargh' today, while fun but functional craft is the topic in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

Join Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) in a conversation about Girls and Autism: the parallels, similarities, and differences in how girls and boys present with Autism.

The Super Special Question in this podcast prompts discussion and explanation about selective mutism.

Stereotyping toys by gender, particularly for Super Special Kids, is what makes them go 'aargh' today and in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, the focus is classic games - treasure hunt; duck, duck, goose; hide and seek, simple, fun games that can be played anywhere.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) are joined today by special guest and AAC Specialist, Susan Berkowitz to discuss AAC, the different systems available and how to identify the best system for your child. Listen to Susan Berkowitz explain why misconception that using a high tech AAC system is going to 'fix' your child's Autism makes her go 'aargh' and in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, the trio discuss fun activities using an AAC system.

Connect with Suzan Berkowitz

• SusanBerkowitz.net
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Twitter

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

• Twitter: @DoniaF
• Instagram: @drdoniafahim @EducationandTherapeuticSpaces

In today's episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim] discuss Apraxia, a speech difficulty which affects coordination and planning in the production of speech sounds.

They answer a question about how to assess whether your child needs speech intervention. What makes them go aargh today, is the assumption that oral motor strength activities will, on their own, support a child's speech development. T

he value of water play is the subject of today's Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, not only is it wonderful, accessible, sensory fun but it is also a huge source of many educational opportunities.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

• Twitter: @DoniaF
• Instagram: @drdoniafahim @EducationandTherapeuticSpaces

In today's episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) discuss Bilingualism and Super Special Kids.

They answer a question about the challenges of travelling with a super special child. What makes them go 'aargh' is when professionals tell bilingual parents that they should focus on one language with their child. During the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia discuss digital assistance and the use of AI devices and software such as Siri and Alexa.

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

• Twitter: @DoniaF
• Instagram: @drdoniafahim @EducationandTherapeuticSpaces

In today's episode, Granny Rhea and Auntie Donia (Professor Rhea Paul and Dr Donia Fahim) are joined by special guest Sean Sweeney, a Certified SLP with a specialist background in Instructional Technology who, amongst other things, is the author of the SpeechTechie Blog.

The Super Special topic is Apps for Super Special Kids and the question today is how do parents select developmentally appropriate apps?

Using screen time unnecessarily is what makes Sean Sweeney go 'aargh' and, in the Eating Cake for Breakfast segment, what else but Apps for fun – making movies!

Connect with Sean Sweeney

• SpeechTechie.com
• Facebook
• Twitter

Learn More & Stay Connected

To learn more about international educational consultant & autism expert, Dr. Donia Fahim, visit Doniafahim.com

• Twitter: @DoniaF
• Instagram: @drdoniafahim @EducationandTherapeuticSpaces