Join us for the upcoming free live week long event full of neurodiversity affirming strategies for SLPs: https://www.sensoryslp.com/the-speech-shift

On this episode of Making the Shift, we’re tackling something BIG: eye contact.

We’ve all seen goals like:

✔️ Look for three seconds

✔️ Make eye contact 5 times in a 3-minute period

✔️ Display appropriate social skills, like eye contact, during conversation

But should we be teaching eye contact for autistic kids? Is it ever okay to write eye contact goals?

Whether you're a parent or a therapist, this show will help you better understand autistic joint attention and the harm that forcing eye contact can cause.

We're diving into:

✔️ The harm of eye contact goals

✔️ Why Autistic joint attention is different than neurotypical joint attention

✔️ Other ways to show attention

✔️ When it's okay (if ever) to address eye contact with autistic kids

✔️ And more!

On this week's episode of Making the Shift, we’re talking about common Autistic characteristics—and we’re not calling them red flags!

No doom-and-gloom, no labels—just real, relatable traits we see every day in our clinic. Whether you're a parent or a therapist, this show will help you understand those early signs of autism.

On this episode, we're diving into:

✔️ Communication differences in Autistic Kids

✔️ Understanding sensory preferences

✔️ Recognizing social-emotional Differences

✔️ Unique play patterns

✔️ And more!

Grab my free Early Autism Characteristics Checklist here: https://www.sensoryslp.com/autism-characteristics-checklist

Visit the past episode How to Bring Up Autism to Families, Ep. 60: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAkm7XOIOaM

Check out the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy: https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

Join us for the upcoming free live week long event full of neurodiversity affirming strategies for SLPs: https://www.sensoryslp.com/the-speech-shift

What if you could create the ultimate sensory gym for your clinic—one that’s fun, functional, and tailored to your space? 

On this episode of Making the Shift, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our brand-new sensory gym. You’ll hear all about the process, the tools we used, and the vision that brought it all together!

We're diving into:

✔️ The planning and challenges we faced, like designing without wooden beams.

✔️ Must-have sensory tools like ninja rings, swings, tunnels, and stepping stones—plus how to use them effectively.

✔️ How we turned a smaller gym space into a functional and exciting sensory haven.

✔️ And recommendations for equipment you can snag for your own space (Amazon links included!).

Want to see the transformation? The podcast is packed with tips and details, but to catch the before, during, and after visuals, you’ll need to watch the replay of our live show!

>> Click here to watch our Extreme Makeover: Sensory Gym Edition

Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your clinic, this episode is full of inspiration and practical advice to help you create your dream sensory gym.

Tune in now, and don’t forget to check out Jessie’s Amazon Storefront for every item we used to make it all happen!

And if you’re looking for something custom-built, we can’t recommend Summit Sensory Gym enough. They’ll design a gym that’s perfect for your space, complete with 3D renderings to help you visualize the magic before it’s even built. 

Want to kick off your speech sessions on the right foot?

On this episode, I’m sharing my go-to strategy for getting your clients regulated in the first few minutes—so the rest of your session can be a total win!

This is the game-changing routine you’ve been waiting for.

We're diving into...

✔ The number one thing I start every session with...

✔ The perfect sensory input to calm “Tiggers” or energize “Eeyores.”...

✔ Real client examples and practical tips you can use immediately....

✔ A sneak peek at some of my favorite sensory toys that never fail!...

✔ And more!

If you liked this episode and want to learn more about supporting regulation in your sessions, check out the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy: https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

What does it mean to be a neurodiversity affirming social worker?

Social workers are a crucial part of any team supporting neurodivergent individuals. With two primary paths—supporting nonprofits that serve the community or running a clinical practice providing direct care—social work is deeply rooted in social justice, advocating for equity and access for all individuals.

On this episode of Making the Shift, Chris sits down with Sam Marion, a multiply neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, PDA) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to explore how neurodiversity-affirming practices are reshaping the field of social work.

They’ll dive into the vital role social workers play in advocacy, support, and systemic change, while sharing practical insights and personal experiences.

On this episode you'll learn...

✔ What it means to be a neuroaffirming social worker...

✔ How to connect with an LCSW and find the right fit for support...

✔ The vital role social workers play in advocacy, systemic change, and supporting neurodivergent individuals...

✔ The unique perspectives and insights Sam brings as a multiply neurodivergent (and late diagnosed) social worker...

✔ And more!

To learn more about Sam, visit his website: https://www.sammarion.com/

Find him on social: https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/

On this episode, we’re diving deep into child-led therapy with none other than Nicole Casey, known as The Child Led SLP on Instagram. Nicole has built a reputation for championing this transformative approach and helping SLPs make the shift to empowering, child-centered practices with their gestalt language processors. Join us for this must-watch conversation and learn how to transform your sessions into joyful, impactful experiences for your clients.

On this episode, we're discussing...

✔ Why understanding child-led therapy is essential for fostering trust, engagement, and authentic progress...

✔ How to make the shift to a child-led approach in therapy sessions...

✔ The importance of using a child-led approach with gestalt language processors...

✔ And more! P.S. Nicole's new GLP Workbook is out now!

Click the link below and use code SENSORY for a special discount just for our audience :)

https://nicole-casey.mykajabi.com/a/2147995862/KATj6Zcq

Keep or Cancel: Are These Goals ND Affirming?

This week on our live show, we’re diving into therapy goals for Autistic kids. I'm going to read real therapy goals and decide in real time whether to keep them or cancel them. If you’re ready to level up your goal-writing game and make sure your goals truly support the kids you work with, you won’t want to miss this.

On this episode, we're discussing...

✔ How to identify goals that don’t align with neurodiversity-affirming practices...

✔ Why pre-written goal banks may not be the answer...

✔ Honest conversations about what it means to write ND-affirming goals...

If you want to learn more about neurodiversity affirming goal writing, make sure to join us in the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy for our in-depth training!

https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

Today we are talking about what to do when video games are very overstimulating for kids. Do we let them play or not? How do we make it fair for the rest of the family? Here are a few things to consider about planning for video game use, helping in the moment of dysregulation, and setting kids up for success in the future.

Every week, we're flooded with DMs from SLPs and therapists asking the same thing, “how can I pull off sensory-based sessions if I don’t have a fancy gym?” And here’s the kicker—you don’t need one! Yes, sensory gyms are amazing, but when you know why each tool works, you can get creative and recreate that magic with stuff you already have. So even if you an SLP at a school, you can have succesful sensory sessions! On this episode of Making the Shift, we're breaking down how you can start with sensory today—no gym required.

And check out our live show on YouTube if you want an exclusive tour of Chris's sensory classroom to see how it’s done in action! https://www.youtube.com/live/8pf7R6Yc8HM?si=hirpK6KWAACxdrcu

To learn more about Chris's Neurodiversity Affirming Activity Book, click here: https://www.speechdude.com/book

As therapists we give and we give and we give! But as the famous saying goes, you can't pour from an empty cup. Here are some boundaries I have personally put into place over the years, and that we have adopted into our clinic, to help us work meaningfully with parents and other professionals...while also keeping our cups full!