This episode, number 295, DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader Kerri Ciskowski joins us to discuss different parent play personas she sees in her clientele. Kerri has been an occupational therapist for 20 years. She does in-home support in central New Jersey through her service Therapy Keeper and now has a DIRFloortime® studio as well for families who are typically raising autistic kids.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2025/11/07/parent-play-personas

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 features Clare Kumar who encourages organizations to create "neurologically safe" spaces, cultures, and experiences where their guests can move forward with ease, or "keep calm and carry on." She offers engaging, interactive keynotes and advisory services. She is the host and creator of the Happy Space Podcast - where inclusion meets design.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2025/10/24/happy-space/

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/

⁠AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a new podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠. This episode, they discuss the Autistic Culture Podcast's 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture!Learn more at ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:00:32 10 Pillars of Autism03:27 Pillar 1: Bottom-Up Processing 11:34 Reference to Dr. Stephen Shore mentioning "extremes" (in this podcast episode: https://affectautism.com/2025/08/01/pda/)15:49 Pillar 2: Rhythmic Communicating22:55 Pillar 3: Norm Challenging28:43 Pillar 4: World Building36:52 Pillar 5: Pattern Matching39:19 Pillar 6: Game Changing Innovation40:07 Pillar 7: Boldly Creating42:36 Variations in support needs but still Autistic44:33 Pillar 8: Predictably Comforting48:10 Pillar 9: Justice Seeking 51:29 Pillar 10: Passionate Superfanning 56:41 Wrap-Up57:54 Kasheena MomentLinks/Resources (not endorsements; no commission was received for any of these links):

• Turrell Burgess on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tmauronthespectrum/⁠
• Daria Brown on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/affectautism/
• The 10 pillars of Autistic culture⁠: ⁠https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/autistic-podcast-pillars-of-autistic-culture⁠⁠
• Bill Gates is Autistic: https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/bill-gates-interview-autism-spectrum
• Mexican Onyx Figurines https://www.therockwarehouse.com/assets/MEX_1142_800.jpg
• The AV Logo behind Daria's head looks like Princess Leia's hair from Star Wars https://www.theorysabers.com/article/princess-leia-quotes
• Darth Vader from Star Wars: https://wallpapers.com/darth-vader-pictures
• 1980s Strawberry Shortcake Toys: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8GJtpqvmJq/
• Michael Jackson album Thriller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(album)
• Thriller music video: https://geekmamas.com/2021/08/30/thrilling-the-world-with-the-thriller-dance/
• Michael Jackson's Beat It video: https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/michael-jackson-beat-it-youtube-billion-views-club-1235515822/
• The Electrifying Mojo Detroit 1980s Radio DJ: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Electrifying_Mojo
• The Moon Walk https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/michael-jackson-learned-moonwalk/story?id=55336603
• Nirvana rock band https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nirvana_(band)
• Marvel Universe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Universe
• DC Comics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics
• Comic-Con https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_convention
• Kobe Bryant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant
• Kobe Bryant Tragic Death https://abcnews.go.com/US/dead-helicopter-crash-southern-california/story?id=68545466
• 1984 Jackson Victory tour https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_Tour_(The_Jacksons)
• The Pontiac Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions NFL and Detroit Pistons NBA teams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Silverdome
• Lollapalooza Music Festival https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lollapalooza_lineups_by_year
• DIRFloortime https://www.icdl.com/dir/floortime

* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Analog Disorder⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the intro/outro music permission

This episode features a new empowering podcast called The Affirming Village which focuses on creating more neuroaffirming spaces for neurodivergent and disabled learners--a topic that comes up regularly at ICDL's parent support meetings. Dr. Destiny Huff, LPC and Educator Lisa Baskin Wright talk about their personal experiences as neurodivergent mothers advocating for their children in ableist school settings, about their professional work in this area, the biases families face, and their new podcast that provides a neuroaffirming space to discuss these issues.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2025/10/03/the-affirming-village/

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/

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠ is a new podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠. Two autistics, very different, yet aligned on many values. Join their conversation by tuning in to hear their viewpoints on topics from DIR® to professional sports, food, and pop culture to neurodivergent relationships and more!

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

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and hello

00:37 Introduction to our guest, Khylil Robinson

01:35 First topic: Dealing with awkward situations

02:48 Turrell's dating mixer and football game

07:35 Meet-up experiences and Khylil's audio hyposensitivity

15:58 Driving and loud music

20:05 Board games, arcade games, bowling alleys, night clubs and socializing

29:25 10 Pillars of Autistic culture from the Autistic Culture Podcast

29:52 Food!

39:07 Ausome Ambassadors

48:38 Canada Fun Facts!

Links/Resources (not endorsements; no commission was received for any of these links):

• Turrell Burgess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmauronthespectrum/
• Daria Brown on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affectautism/
• Khylil's organization⁠: https://www.spectrumsuccess911.org/
• Khylil on the WE CHOSE PLAY podcast:

• Part 1: Taking that Step on the Red Carpet: https://affectautism.com/2022/11/05/step/
• Part 2: Bridging the Gap in Understanding: https://affectautism.com/2022/11/12/bridge/
• Hiki neurodivergent dating app: https://www.hikiapp.com/
• Battleship game: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battleship_(game)
• Jenga: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenga
• Neurodivergent therapist Zoe Darazsdi: https://www.zoedarazsdi.com/
• Sad and Boujie Party - Philadelphia: https://www.instagram.com/sadandboujeeparty/
• Migo's song Bad and Boujie: https://youtu.be/S-sJp1FfG7Q?si=YwTHzohWqYhyTUhs
• Boat where "Sad and Boujie" event was held: https://www.moshulu.com/
• Khylil's Driving Blog: https://asdnext.org/blog/drivers-story/
• Loops Ear Plugs: https://www.loopearplugs.com/
• King of Hearts game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2566650/King_of_Hearts/
• Dance, water, dance!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPjTocVPhQ
• Sexy Nerds events: https://sexynerds.net/
• Tattooed Mom Philadelphia bar: https://www.tattooedmomphilly.com/
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Incident_of_the_Dog_in_the_Night-Time
• Wind-up flipping frogs: https://playfulmindstoys.ca/products/wind-up-flipping-frogs?variant=42483235619072
• Dum Dum Pops: https://www.dumdumpops.com/
• 10 pillars of Autistic culture: https://www.autisticculturepodcast.com/p/autistic-podcast-pillars-of-autistic-culture
• Buddakan restaurant in Philadelphia: https://buddakan.com/
• Ausome Ambassadors in Philadelphia: https://www.spectrumsuccess911.org/charity-organization-programs/ausome-ambassadors
• Next Ausome Ambassadors offering through Drexel University Autism Institute: https://www.facebook.com/AJDrexelAutismInstitute/posts/the-community-wellness-hub-and-spectrum-success-911-are-hosting-ausome-ambassado/1208335408000369/
• Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada: https://globalnews.ca/news/8450380/mayor-niagara-falls-something-for-everyone/
• Turrell's book: https://affectautism.com/2022/06/04/turrell-burgess/

* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Post Analog Disorder⁠⁠⁠ for the intro/outro music permission

This episode features Kelly Bron Johnson in Montreal and Anne Borden King in Toronto. Kelly is a non-binary, Autistic, and Hard of Hearing (HoH) self-advocate and founder of ⁠Completely Inclusive⁠, a social enterprise consultancy devoted to inclusion and accessibility in the workplace. Anne is the co-founder of ⁠Autistics for Autistics⁠, Canada's autistic self-advocacy organization, and the host of ⁠Noncompliant: A Neurodiversity Podcast⁠. Both guests are mothers of autistic teenage sons and authors. We are chatting about their journey and Canadian disability advocacy.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2025/09/26/action/⁠

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 airing a year-old presentation made by the late, great DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader and phenomenal educator, Kasheena Holder. I hope you will enjoy the tips she provided our DIR® Parent Network with regarding bridging the gap between home and school.

For those who knew Kasheena, this will be a wonderful reminder of her warmth, wisdom, and dedication to families. And for those hearing her for the first time, it’s a chance to be inspired by the passion and insight she so generously shared.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/09/26/school/

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, Floortimers, for the years of learning! This episode, number 290, the first episode of Season 11, features Sophia Ashman, a DIR practitioner in Los Angeles, California who currently works in preschools and provides in-home therapy. She has been a Floortimer for 25 years and was one of my son's first therapists at his school which is how we met, but we quickly became friends and I miss her tremendously and want her to move back to Canada! The philosophy that she strongly believes in is that the children she works with need to be seen, be heard, and feel understood.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/09/19/essential-floortime/

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/

Carolina Sosa Carrero es educadora en música, movimiento y lenguaje, con una maestría en intervención temprana y desarrollo infantil. ¡Es la primera Líder de Capacitación Experta en DIRFloortime® en Ecuador! Gaby Cabezas tiene un título en Comunicación y Literatura, además de una maestría en Lengua Inglesa. Actualmente trabaja como profesora de inglés y escribe ciencia ficción. Caro y Gaby son ambas neurodivergentes y muy entusiastas del DIRFloortime®. ¡Su objetivo es difundir DIR® al mundo hispanohablante a través del trabajo de Caro y de su nuevo pódcast, Ecos Neurodivergentes!

Enlace a la publicación completa del blog, con vínculos a los puntos clave de la conversación y otras maneras de ver o escuchar el pódcast aquí: https://affectautism.com/2025/09/12/ecuador-es/

Cuidadores: Consideren unirse a nuestra Red de Padres DIR® para recibir apoyo de una comunidad de Floortimers con intereses afines aquí: https://www.icdl.com/parents

Carolina Sosa Carrero is an educator in music, movement, and language with a Master’s degree in early intervention and child development. She is the first DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader in Ecuador! Gaby Cabezas has a Communications and Literature degree with a Master’s in English Language. She is currently working as an English teacher and writes science fiction. Caro and Gaby are both neurodivergent and very enthusiastic about DIRFloortime®! Their goal is to spread DIR® to the Spanish-speaking world through Caro’s work and their new podcast, Ecos Neurodivergentes!

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/09/12/ecuador/

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/