Tuning In to Development

In this episode of Tuning In To Development, Kassie Allison talks with clinical psychologist and professional speaker Dr. Matt Zakreski, PsyD about twice exceptionality (2E): the intersection of giftedness and neurodivergence. Together, they explore what 2E can look like when giftedness masks a disability, or when neurodivergence makes giftedness harder to recognize.

Kassie and Dr. Matt discuss asynchronous development, executive functioning, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, anxiety, emotional intensity, and the unique challenges that can emerge when a child is intellectually advanced but still developing social, emotional, or self-regulation skills. The conversation also explores burnout and the cost of constantly pushing through high-demand environments.

Dr. Matt offers practical ideas for parents, educators, and clinicians, including supporting strengths while accommodating areas of difficulty, protecting downtime, creating meaningful opportunities for social development and play, and recognizing that struggling in one area does not erase a person's strengths.

Above all, this conversation is a reminder that development does not happen on a single timeline—and that when we understand the whole person, small changes can make a difference across every area of life.

Twice-exceptional individuals can have significant strengths and significant areas of difficulty at the same time. Giftedness may compensate for—or conceal—challenges with executive functioning, learning, attention, or other areas.

Development can also be asynchronous. A child capable of sophisticated intellectual thinking may still need age-appropriate—or sometimes greater—support with emotional regulation, social skills, daily routines, and executive functioning.

And perhaps most importantly, support doesn't have to mean pushing harder. Downtime, play, accommodations, structure, opportunities for genuine social development, and building from a child's strengths can all matter.

As Dr. Matt and Kassie discuss near the end of the episode, different areas of a child's life are interconnected. A positive change in one area can have an impact across many others. 

Resources

About Dr. Matt Zakreski

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The return to school can bring excitement and new opportunities, but it can also introduce changes in routines, relationships, sensory experiences, and expectations that may feel overwhelming for children and families.

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, guest host Jennie Trocchio, PhD with guests LaChan V. Hannon, PhD and Michael Hannon, PhD explore how parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals can support children as they transition into a new school year. The conversation looks beyond simply preparing school supplies and schedules to consider the developmental foundations children need to feel safe, connected, regulated, and ready to learn.

Listeners will hear practical ideas for easing transitions, preparing for unfamiliar environments, recognizing signs of stress or dysregulation, and collaborating with teachers and school teams. The episode also emphasizes the importance of understanding each child’s individual differences rather than expecting every student to adjust to school in the same way or on the same timeline.

Whether a child is beginning school for the first time, entering a new classroom, or returning to a familiar setting, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that successful learning begins with relationships, emotional safety, and support that is responsive to the individual child.

Wandering, also known as elopement, is one of the most significant safety concerns facing many Autistic individuals and their families. Nearly half (49%) of Autistic individuals will wander at some point, and among Autistic children under the age of 14, 91% of deaths following wandering are the result of drowning. These sobering statistics underscore the importance of understanding why wandering happens and how families and communities can help keep children safe.

In this episode of Tuning Into Development, host Kassie Allison is joined by Katie Wentley of the Autism Society of America to explore the many reasons individuals may wander, from sensory needs and curiosity to dysregulation and changes in routine. Together, they dispel common misconceptions, discuss the connection between wandering and water safety, and share compassionate, practical strategies that empower families to reduce risk while supporting each child's unique developmental profile.

Listeners will come away with actionable guidance on home safety modifications, swim instruction, emergency planning, and free resources available through the Autism Society of America. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools to help create safer, more supportive environments for Autistic individuals and their families.

In this episode of Tuning in to Development, host Kassie Allison sits down with Rachel Dorsey, an autistic speech-language pathologist in the Greater Boston area, to explore how authentic relationships can foster social confidence, connectedness, and resilience. Rachel shares her approach to creating natural opportunities for social engagement while actively neutralizing shame and affirming neurodivergent identities. She discusses the importance of being a genuinely interested, safe adult who embraces clients’ passions to support self-esteem and meaningful relationships. The conversation also examines how interventions intended to support autistic children may unintentionally communicate that a child needs to be “fixed” while overwhelming the nervous system, and why advocacy often takes the form of quietly building resilience through trust and connection. Finally, Rachel highlights the profound impact of loneliness and the motor-planning challenges that can limit social participation for nonspeaking or unreliably speaking individuals.

In celebration of Speech-Language-Hearing Month, guest host Sherri Cawn sits down with longtime colleague and friend Cindy Harrison for a thoughtful conversation about communication, relationships, and the evolution of developmental practice. Together, they reflect on decades of experience as speech-language pathologists, early pioneers in the DIR Model movement, and advocates for relationship-based care.

Cindy shares her perspective as both a clinician and parent of an autistic son, speaking candidly about what communication truly means beyond words — the ability to express hopes, fears, identity, and connection. The conversation explores the importance of family-centered practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, emotional development, and assuming competence in every child.

Sherri and Cindy also reflect on how the field has changed over the years, the role of mentorship and lifelong learning, and the importance of creating systems of care where families feel seen, safe, and supported. This warm and deeply personal episode is a reminder that communication always happens within the context of relationships and that staying curious and connected remains at the heart of meaningful practice.

In recognition of Occupational Therapy Month and Autism Acceptance Month, host Kassie Allison welcomes fellow occupational therapist Kate Bailey for a practical and engaging conversation about recognizing and supporting Individual Differences—and how those differences shape behavior, learning, and participation. 

Kate explains how differences in sensory processing, motor planning, and visual-spatial skills influence how children move through their day—how they play, learn, interact, and respond to everyday demands. Kate and Kassie discuss how challenging behaviors are often meaningful signals of underlying differences, sharing ways to look beneath the surface to better understand what a child may be experiencing.

With individual differences in mind, they also take a closer look at transitions, specifically transitioning from one space to another. Kassie and Kate offer practical strategies to support children through these moments with greater success, less distress, and increased safety.

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison returns with guest Carrie Alvarado, PhD, OTR for a thoughtful conversation about the importance of intentionally including parents in therapy through Developmental, Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs). Dr. Alvarado shares how her work evolved from focusing primarily on direct child intervention to embracing the DIR model, which emphasizes strengthening the entire family system. She explains that children make more meaningful and lasting progress when caregivers are empowered and actively involved, especially through a stronger parent–child relationship. A pivotal moment in her career came when a mother observed her child “come to life” with a clinician—an experience that highlighted the gap between clinical success and what families feel at home. This led Dr. Alvarado to prioritize parent-mediated approaches, ensuring caregivers can create and sustain those same moments of connection themselves. Using the PACT (Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy) model, Dr. Alvarado incorporates reflective video feedback to help parents recognize their strengths, better read and respond to their child’s cues, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. This approach supports progress that carries over into everyday life and across caregivers, ultimately allowing the clinician to “take hands off the bike” as families develop their own rhythm and balance.

In this episode of Tuning into Development, Deborah Sussman steps in for host Kassie Allison for a thoughtful conversation with clinical social worker and developmental specialist Ruby Salazar. Together, they explore Ruby’s passion for working with families through the DIR® perspective and what it truly means to partner with caregivers in relationship-based, family-centered ways.

Ruby shares how helping families understand behavior developmentally can strengthen connection, support regulation, and bring greater balance to everyday family life—particularly in moments of stress, limited resources, or following an autism diagnosis. The conversation highlights the importance of caregivers serving as a secure base, “putting on their own oxygen mask,” and creating small, meaningful rituals that nurture joy, attunement, and communication.

The episode also offers a preview of Profectum’s March conference focused on supporting families across the lifespan, featuring expert faculty, keynote sessions, and access to recorded content following the event.

What does love look like when we let go of social expectations and truly meet each other as we are?

In this episode, guest host Dr. Jennie Trocchio is joined by Monica Osgood, a longtime leader in developmental, relationship-based approaches, and Anie Knipping, an autistic homemaker, author and artist, for a deeply human conversation about love, neurodiversity, and connection.

Together, they explore how autistic individuals experience love through comfort, trust, honesty, and shared support—and how many of these needs are universal, even if they show up differently. Anie shares powerful lived-experience stories about partnership, sensory safety, honesty, identity, and what it means to be a true team in a relationship. Monica adds a developmental lens, introducing frameworks that help explain why safety, competence, confidence, and shared control are essential foundations for meaningful connection.

This conversation moves beyond dating “rules” and stereotypes to highlight what helps relationships thrive: being understood, honoring individual differences, finding your people, and building love that makes space for who you truly are.

In this insightful and engaging episode, host Kassie Allison and guest Traci Swink, MD delve into the intricate dynamics of stress, resilience, and nervous system regulation within families, particularly during challenging times. They explore how various stressors, including environmental and social factors, can impact both children and adults, and why some individuals are more susceptible to stress due to early developmental influences and unique nervous system wiring.

The discussion highlights the importance of co-regulation, relational safety, and understanding individual differences in managing stress. Traci introduces the concept of body budgets and provides practical strategies for caregivers to support both their own and their children's nervous systems. Additionally, Traci shares a real-life example of how tailored interventions in a daycare setting helped a child navigate his stress, illustrating the principles of neuro-relational care in action.