We chose play from Affect Autism

October is Selective Mutism Awareness Month! In this episode, speech-language pathologists Dr. Joleen Fernald, a DIR-Expert, and Lauren Kline of Bjorem Speech explain Selective Mutism and Situational Mutism and discuss Dr. Jo’s DIR-SM card deck, a developmental approach to selective mutism.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/10/09/dir-sm/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Developmental and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kathy Platzman from Floortime Atlanta is here to cover a few topics: the transdisciplinary approach, parent guilt, and navigating social circles for parents with neurodivergent children--a question from an Affect Autism member.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2020/10/25/navigating/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

In this episode we are discussing the use of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) with five DIRFloortime® speech-language therapists.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/09/25/dialogues-8/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support

This episode, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader, Gene Christian in Spokane, Washington ⁠is back with us⁠ to reiterate the importance of the preverbal affective gestural system to development. Gene says that this preverbal affective signalling, or non verbal communication, was the most important aspect of the ⁠Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) model ⁠to Dr. Stanley Greenspan, especially in the first four ⁠functional emotional developmental capacities (FEDCs)⁠.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2019/09/30/preverbal/⁠

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

This episode I’m pleased to welcome DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader, Helen Groth, as my guest to discuss the dynamic process of transitions in autism. Helen gave a fabulous presentation on transitions at the that I took so much away from and I am so excited to welcome her this week to share her presentation material with us!

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2023/01/21/transitions/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/⁠

Dr. Ira Glovinsky is a clinical psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan who has primarily worked with children with severe mood This episode, we discuss some important holes in clinical practice, how to notice them, and what we can do about them. with two returning guests to the podcast. Dr. Ira Glovinsky is a clinical psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan who has primarily worked with children with severe mood disorders. He engages in many other research endeavors and has authored many publications. Daniela Bishop is a registered nurse who is the parent of a child with a complex developmental profile.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/09/04/how-do-you-know/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

* Thank you to Toronto recording artist Ayria for the song permissions.

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.

Can DIRFloortime® help autistic adults, too?

In this final episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by clinical developmental psychologist and DIRFloortime® Expert and Training Leader Dr. Kathy Platzman to explore how the DIR® model can support autistic adults, late-diagnosed individuals, and anyone seeking greater self-understanding, self-advocacy, and emotional growth.

Together, they discuss how DIRFloortime® extends far beyond childhood intervention. Rather than focusing on deficits, the model emphasizes relationships, individual differences, strengths, and human development across the lifespan. Dr. Platzman explains how DIR’s developmental framework can help adults better understand their sensory profiles, emotional regulation needs, personal strengths, and patterns of connection with others.

They explore topics such as masking, self-advocacy, trauma, neurodiversity, sensory differences, self-regulation, and the importance of discovering what brings joy and meaning to life. Through personal stories and reflections, Daria and Kathy demonstrate how DIRFloortime® can provide a roadmap for understanding ourselves with greater compassion and helping others do the same.

Learn more:

Dr. Kathy Platzman https://floortimeatlanta.com/kathy-platzman/

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Daria Brown: https://affectautism.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affectautism

X: https://x.com/affectautism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautism

Daria is the author of "We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood"

🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at https://AutisticCulturePlus.com

🌐 Visit https://www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com

📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autisticculturepodcast

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 14, Turrell and Daria interview Jacob Raphael on the occasion of the release of "Miracle of the Heart" co-written with his father. Jacob shares his experience growing up autistic, his struggles with his identity, plans for his future writing projects, and more.

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:

00:14 Introductions

01:00 "A Miracle of the Heart" book and what inspired Jacob to be a part of it

02:29 Daria's response including how autistic development is different

05:09 Daria's question to Jacob of what he's learned from the experience and his response

05:52 One critique Jacob received about his writing in the book06:18 Jacob's story about the suggestion of coming out as autistic in high school

06:38 Jacob's writing practices

06:57 Jacob's writing question for Turrell and Turrell's response

08:05 Turrell asks Jacob about his memories of Dr. Stanley Greenspan

09:12 Daria asks about finding Jacob's interest in creative writing and his response

10:38 How his interest continued into the college years

11:14 Turrell's emotional experience in switching schools and moving through college

12:13 Turrell asks Jacob about his passionate interests and Jacob's response

13:20 Turrell's internal experience with storytelling

13:45 The surprising reactions Daria received to her vulnerable writing

14:58 Daria asks Jacob about his career aspirations

15:17 Break: Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series on DIRFloortime® on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network

16:37 Jacob's response to Daria's question from before the break

18:27 Jacob's awareness around his potential

19:29 The Autistic Culture Podcast Network meetings writing prompts, "Neurodivergent Narratives," and shared interests

20:34 Daria asks Jacob about his autistic identity

21:48 Jacob's struggle with disclosing his autistic identity

23:23 Turrell's encouraging words about embracing his autistic identity

24:27 Daria's reflections on Jacob's language about his identity

25:23 How autistic individuals actually want to be treated

26:05 Daria's neurodivergent friends and the value of community and a strength of Turrell's

27:03 Jacob discussing untangling his identity and lack of close friendships in school

27:45 Turrell talking about the value of a support system

28:37 Turrell's experience finding his identity and the truth that he lives by as an autistic adult

29:12 Break: 2026 International DIRFloortime Conference including the presentation by Jacob's father, David

30:11 What Jacob is excited about and his strengths

31:15 What Jacob finds joy in

32:44 Jacob's plug for his co-authored book, substack, and recommended readings

34:39 Wrap-Up

Resources:

A Miracle of the Heart book ⁠https://www.narrowbridge.us/⁠

Dr. Emile Gouw's story ⁠https://affectautism.com/2021/02/06/inspiration/⁠

Daria's "Rethinking Autism Therapy" mini-series on DIRFloortime® on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/08/12/acpn-01/⁠

The 2026 International DIRFloortime Conference ⁠https://www.icdl.com/conferences⁠

What we Do in the Shadows ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_We_Do_in_the_Shadows_(TV_series)⁠

Pratchett comic fantasy novels ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett⁠

Jacob's substack ⁠https://jacoblatter.substack.com/

⁠Nobody Nowhere by Donna Williams ⁠https://www.amazon.ca/Nobody-Nowhere-Extraordinary-Autobiography-Autistic/dp/0812920422⁠

John Elder Robison ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Elder_Robison⁠

* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Analog Disorder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the intro/outro music permission: ⁠⁠https://postanalogdisorder.bandcamp.com/album/still-i-rise

An autism approach can only be as good as its implementation. To implement a developmental approach with integrity, such as DIRFloortime®, the basic concepts of focus on development over behaviour, accepting all behaviour as communication, attuning yourself to the child, and learning through play-based interactions within the context of a safe, warm, and nurturing relationship are practiced throughout the day, everyday.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2017/08/08/the-implementation/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/⁠

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.

How does DIRFloortime® meet autistic needs in a neurodiversity-affirming way?

In this third episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by autistic self-advocate, researcher, and ICDL Board President Dr. Emile Gouws to explore how the DIR® model aligns with autistic lived experience and why relationships, respect, and understanding are essential for meaningful development.

Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a nonspeaking autistic child, Emile shares the challenges of being viewed through a medical-model lens, the trauma of compliance-based interventions, and the profound impact of finally being seen, understood, and supported through a relationship-based approach.

Together, Daria and Emile discuss how DIRFloortime® differs from approaches focused on normalization by emphasizing individual differences, emotional development, authentic communication, and connection.

They discuss how autistic development may look different from neurotypical development, why practitioners must be mindful of ableist assumptions, and how play, co-regulation, and meaningful relationships create the conditions for growth.

They also explore the role of neurodiversity, self-advocacy, sensory differences, and the Double Empathy Problem in shaping a more affirming understanding of autism.

Learn more:

Dr. Emile Gouws https://emilegouws.org/

The International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) Board of Directors https://www.icdl.com/about/board

Daria Brown: https://affectautism.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affectautism

X: https://x.com/affectautism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautism

Daria is the author of "We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood"

🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com https://autisticculture.supercast.com/

🌐 Visit https://autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com/

📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autisticculturepodcast