Neurodiversally Speaking

Behaviour contracts are a great collaborative tool we love for tackling sleep-time headaches - they help families & kiddos (neurotypical and neurodiverse alike) hash out the "why", set clear steps, and pick reinforcers that actually work.

We walk you through real examples from our lives - from timers and five‑/two‑minute warnings to replacement ideas - and how to write a simple, kid-friendly contract with drawings, signatures, and visuals. As moms and clinicians, we keep it kind and practical: get curious about the function (is it sensory seeking, anxiety, or plain habit?), offer choices, specify what “success” looks like, and plan reinforcements ahead of time so it’s not bribery in the heat of the moment.

Timestamps:

(01:41) - Welcome

(14:17) - Case Study - Turning Shoe Licking Into a Teaching Moment

(26:56) - Bribery vs. Reinforcement

(39:27) - Tidy Tuesdays - Choosing reinforcers and making behaviour change stick

(50:13) - Troubleshooting Behaviour Contracts — When Rewards Become the Focus

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Bedtime without battles: Behaviour contracts - Free PDF toolkit download

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

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Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Today we're so excited to be speaking with a true dually-certified unicorn in the SLP & ABA world - Rose Griffin!

Rosemarie Griffin, MA, CCC/SLP BCBA, is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional working in both the public and private sectors. Rose is the founder of ABA SPEECH. ABA SPEECH offers therapy services and The ABA SPEECH CONNECTION MEMBERSHIP geared towards helping speech therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs support their autistic students. Rose is an author of the book "Say It With Me: Naturalistic Interventions to Support Speech and Social Engagement" and she is the host of the The ABA Speech Podcast, a weekly show all about autism and communication. She is a sought-after speaker who enjoys connecting with audiences at the local, state, and national level. Rose is passionate about the mission of ABA SPEECH, which is to help all students become more independent communicators.

Timestamps:

(01:25) - Welcome

(02:14) - Meet Rose

(13:35) - Transforming a Student's Life with AAC and ABA

(27:12) - Minimally Vocal and Emergent Communicators

(32:07) - Data Collection Amid Distractions: Balancing Accuracy and Engagement

(41:41) - Songs as Tools

(46:19) - Where To Find Rose's Book

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Barb Esch, SLP & BCBA - Early Echoic Skills Assessment and Program Planner (EESAPP)

Where To Find Rose:

• Instagram: @abaspeechbyrose
• Website: abaspeech.org

More From Rose:

• Grab Her Book: Say It With Me: Naturalistic Tools to Spark Speech and Social Engagement for Emergent Communicators
• Join The ABA Speech Connection

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

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• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA - Brit - Show Idea

Time to chat about speech-language pathology (SLP) and how it's teachings can be applied to behavior analysis (ABA) and trust us, this is going to be a goldmine for anyone in the field!

We'll talk about how collaboration between SLPs and ABA therapists can supercharge the progress of their clients. We'll share practical tips that highlight the importance of understanding speech and language development, and break down the nuances that often get lost in translation between the two professions. We tackle everything from articulation to literacy, emphasizing that the more we work together, the better we can serve our clients - because let’s face it, teamwork makes the dream work!

Timestamps:

(01:34) - Welcome

(03:21) - Speech vs. Language Therapy

(19:25) - Collaboration in Speech Therapy

(30:03) - Language Development in Children

(41:42) - The Importance of Language in Therapy

(55:01) - Reading Skills: Collaboration in Practice

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Episode 2, "SLP & ABA: How Speech Therapy and Behaviour Therapy Work Together" — covers scope of practice in detail: https://neurodiversallyspeaking.com/episode/intro-to-slp-aba
• The Elemenoe "who does what" collaboration guide comparing SLP, OT, and BCBA roles: https://www.elemenoe.ca/our-materials/p/parent-guide-collaboration-autism-therapy
• Kaiser, A. P., & Hampton, L. H. (2017). Enhanced milieu teaching. In R. J. McCauley, M. E. Fey, & R. Gillam (Eds.), Treatment of language disorders in children (2nd ed., pp. 87–119). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
• Word Quest: Decodable Phonics Activity Book series — available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Word-Quest-Decodable-Phonics-Activity/dp/B0H6RB8SD5

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA - Brit - Show Idea

Today, we’re diving into the world of pseudoscience and myths surrounding autism and neurodiversity. You know, stuff like the vaccine-autism connection, restrictive diets, and those intriguing speech therapy drops that promise the moon but deliver a whole lot of... nothing?

We’ll break down these claims, separating the genuine knowledge from the fluffy nonsense while keeping it all real and relatable. Whether you're a parent looking for answers or just curious about the buzz, we're here to equip you with the facts and a healthy dose of skepticism. Let’s get into it!

Timestamps:

(01:36) - Welcome

(20:07) - New Treatments and Their Claims

(34:01) - Claims in Parenting and Treatment

(44:14) - Claims in Therapy

Mentioned In This Episode:

• ASAT Online
• Brodhead, M. T. (2015). Maintaining professional relationships in an interdisciplinary setting: Strategies for navigating nonbehavioral treatment recommendations for individuals with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 8(1), 70-78.
• Capuano, A. M., & Killu, K. (2021). Understanding and addressing pseudoscientific practices in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders: Considerations for applied behavior analysis practitioners. Behavioral Interventions, 36(1), 242-260.
• Finn, P., Bothe, A.K., & Bramlett, R.E. (2005). Science and Pseudoscience in Communication Disorders: Criteria and Applications. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 14, 172-186.
• Leaf, J. B., Kassardjian, A., Oppenheim-Leaf, M. L., Cihon, J. H., Taubman, M., Leaf, R., & McEachin, J. (2016). Social thinking®: Science, pseudoscience, or antiscience?. Behavior analysis in practice, 9(2), 152-157.
• Normand, M. P. (2008). Science, skepticism, and applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1(2), 42-49.

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

With the back to school season fast approaching, there's no better time to start preparing our kiddos for a smooth transition back to the routine.

In Part 2 of our Back To School: Smooth Transitions series, we'll continue to talk about super practical strategies that you can start using before the school bell rings. Think less chaos in the mornings, smoother drop-offs, and ways to help your little ones cope when they're running on empty at the end of the day. Whether you’ve got neurodiverse or neurotypical kids, we're sharing tips that’ll help set everyone up for success and make those transitions feel like a breeze.

Timestamps:

(01:36) - Welcome

(12:27) - Strategies for Morning Routines

(22:12) - Reinforcing Positive Behaviours in Children

(38:21) - The Importance of Curiosity and Reinforcement

(40:40) - For Teachers & Clinicians

(49:58) - Final Thoughts

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Elemenoe Transition Toolkit - Back to School edition
• The Kissing Hand by Aubrey Penn
• Get Out Of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven C. Hayes

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA - Brit - Show Idea

Back to school can be a wild ride for both kids and parents, and in this episode, we’re diving deep into how to make that transition as smooth as butter.

We’ll explore how the shift from laid-back summer vibes to the structured school routine can feel like jumping from a cozy hammock into a cold pool. From tackling morning meltdowns to navigating the chaos of new classrooms, we’ve got practical tips to help everyone find their groove again.

Timestamps:

(01:36) - Welcome

(05:26) - Story Time!

(11:35) - Get Our Of Your Mind & Into Your Life Book

(20:06) - Morning Routines & Managing Chaos

(35:44) - The Drop Off

(48:38) - Talking Through The Steps

(54:54) - When Routines Come In Handy

(01:03:12) - Keeping The Language Simple

(01:12:06) - Setting Up Before Back To School Season

(01:18:35) - Closing

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Elemenoe Transition Toolkit - Back to School edition
• The Kissing Hand by Aubrey Penn
• Get Out Of Your Mind and Into Your Life by Steven C. Hayes

****

Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Today, we're welcoming on Allan Giron - Founder of The Sensory Supply and producer of the podcast!

We'll kick things off by reminiscing about how we first crossed paths two years ago at the Geneva Centre for Autism Symposium in Toronto and how the seed for the podcast was planted. We'll talk about how the 3 of us just clicked from the get-go and look back on what an incredible journey we've been on together since then, filled with learning, laughter, and a few surprises along the way. Tune in to catch the behind-the-scenes insights and feel-good moments that have made this podcast a true labor of love and listen for a fun update about the podcast at Geneva Centre for Autism Symposium 2026!

Timestamps:

(01:35) - Welcome & Meet Allan

(07:57) - Allan's Background

(10:37) - How We Met!

(20:42) - The Journey to Podcasting: From Conference to Collaboration

(30:27) - Reflections on the Podcast Journey

(38:21) - Future Plans and Upcoming Events

(43:32) - Reflections on a Full Year of Podcasting

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Geneva Centre for Autism Symposium 2026

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA - Brit - Show Idea

Today we're hitting a major milestone - it's been one whole year since we started this podcast journey! 🎉 Can you believe it?

In this episode, we're taking a moment to reflect on the fun ride we’ve had over the last 25 episodes since starting Neurodiversally Speaking, sharing our absolute favourite moments and conversations that really made an impact. From deep diving into autism and neurodiversity to exploring practical tips for parents and professionals alike, we’ve covered a lot of ground together. Join us as we reminisce about the laughs, lessons, and everything in between from our first year of podcasting!

Timestamps:

(01:37) - Welcome & Intro

(06:09) - Bad Behaviour - What Are Kids Telling Us?

(12:58) - PDA w/ Dr. Hilda Ho

(21:26) - Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) w/ Brooke Rea

(28:02) - Play & Belonging For All: The London Children’s Museum

(36:08) - Collaboration In Care w/ OutGrow Therapeutics

(41:41) - Play Is The Point

(48:15) - Favourite Moments!

(59:31) - Thank You!

(01:00:40) - Bloopers

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Welcoming back one of our favourite guests, Mercedes Palermo - founder of Autism Out Loud.

Mercedes is a registered nurse and dedicated mom to her autistic daughter who has an ARFID diagnoses (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). Throughout our conversation, Mercedes shares her family's journey with ARFID while highlighting the challenges that many individuals with ARFID face on a daily basis and how adjusting expectations around eating can transform mealtimes from a battlefield into a more peaceful & positive experience.

Get ready to gather some practical tips that could make a world of difference for parents and caregivers navigating the tricky waters of ARFID & selective eating.

Timestamps:

(01:35) - Welcome & Introduction

(15:37) - Welcome Mercedes

(20:42) - Food Challenges with ARFID

(34:01) - Family Dynamics and Eating Challenges

(43:27) - Back To Us!

(51:02) - The Importance of Evaluation in Feeding Therapy

(58:01) - ARFID: A Neuro-Affirming Approach to Feeding

(01:10:45) - New Approaches in Feeding Interventions

(01:20:41) - Are We Making Progress?

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Behavioural Integrated with Speech approach, known as BITES®
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Resource

Follow Autism Out Loud:

• Instagram: @autismoutloud
• Facebook: Autism Out Loud

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

Mentioned in this episode:

CTA - Brit - Show Idea

Today, we're sitting down with Kim Vincent, Co-Founder of Ability Hive to learn about how one family's journey inspired a new wave of inclusivity.

Ability Hive is a Canadian retail business based just outside Ottawa that focuses on sensory and therapeutic tools for individuals with disabilities and diverse sensory needs. Inspired by his journey as a parent to two neurodivergent children, Kim is passionate about creating inclusive solutions that support families and caregivers. Through Ability Hive, he combines lived experience with entrepreneurship to make a meaningful impact in the disability community.

Timestamps:

(01:34) - Welcome

(02:50) - Meet Kim

(04:43) - Our Family's Early Journey

(14:49) - Our First Accessible Halloween Event

(27:12) - Community and Support for Neurodivergent Adults

(33:38) - Our Focus On Quality Products

(42:23) - We're Opening a Physical Store!

(47:06) - The Challenges of Parenting and Business

(54:06) - Creating Community Through Thoughtful Design

(56:57) - Dreaming Big: Future Ideas

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Accessible Halloween Event Information
• Bouncy Board by Bouncyband

Follow Ability Hive:

• Instagram: @abilityhive
• Facebook: @abilityhive
• Tiktok: @abilityhive
• LinkedIn: @abilityhive
• Website: abilityhive.ca

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• YouTube
• TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at [email protected]