Why Autistic Joy Matters and How to Find your Joy with Stephanie Robertson
Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Release Date: 07/27/2026
Why Autistic Joy Matters and How to Find your Joy with Stephanie Robertson
Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Stephanie Robertson is back on the podcast! Steph is a multiply Neurodivergent OT, speaker and founder of , and she's presenting her Autistic Joy workshop on day two of the this August. In this episode we explore why Autistic joy isn't just a nice to have, what the research now tells us about centring joy, and how you can make yourself a joy menu, rebuild your joy filter and go on a joy treasure hunt. "Your play and your engagement with children, the laughter, the joy seeking, it is all evidence-based now. So you can do those things that feel good in your interactions with children, and know...
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Government-promoted resources aren’t always safe or supportive. In this episode, I take you inside the Autistics Guide to Adulthood, a resource promoted by NDIS, and show you why it misses the mark and what to look for instead. “Just because something has a big shiny seal of approval from a big government body, it may or may not actually be a quality resource.” – Adina Levy In this episode I cover: • Why the Autistics Guide to Adulthood resource, funded and promoted by NDIS, is outdated and harmful in key ways • How to spot when a resource pushes masking, compliance,...
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
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info_outlineStephanie Robertson is back on the podcast! Steph is a multiply Neurodivergent OT, speaker and founder of SGR Occupational Therapy, and she's presenting her Autistic Joy workshop on day two of the Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference this August. In this episode we explore why Autistic joy isn't just a nice to have, what the research now tells us about centring joy, and how you can make yourself a joy menu, rebuild your joy filter and go on a joy treasure hunt.
"Your play and your engagement with children, the laughter, the joy seeking, it is all evidence-based now. So you can do those things that feel good in your interactions with children, and know that you are achieving so many wonderful things and helping facilitate their development." - Stephanie Robertson
You'll hear:
- What Autistic joy feels like in Steph's whole body, and why the neuronormative expectation that adults don't flap, bounce or squeal is just custard
- What the research now shows when we centre joy in therapy, from better regulation and stronger sense of identity to reduced masking and burnout
- How to make yourself a joy menu, rebuild your joy filter and go on a joy treasure hunt, plus a taste of Steph's Autistic Joy workshop on day two of the (Un)Conference
Steph's joy menu prompts:
Reflect back on the last week and ask yourself:
- What's something that made me smile?
- What made me curious?
- What made me lose track of time?
- What sensory experiences feel good, or do I tend to seek out?
- What made my shoulders soften? What made me laugh?
LINKS
- Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference - 19th and 20th August 2026, all online. 19 incredible Neurodivergent speakers, with Steph's Autistic Joy workshop on day two. Recording-only tickets available (day one is recorded, day two is live only)
Connect with Stephanie Robertson - SGR Occupational Therapy:
- Podcast: Alphabet Soup - Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
- Website: SGR Occupational Therapy
- Instagram: @sgroccupationaltherapy
- Facebook: SGR Holistic and Family Focused Occupational Therapy
- Facebook group: The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement
- YouTube: The Spiritual OT