loader from loading.io

How Autistic Folks Experience Eye Contact - Diverse Perspectives

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Release Date: 10/10/2024

Creating and hosting inclusive and accessible events: Non-negotiables and uncovering your unique 'why' with Katie Koullas show art Creating and hosting inclusive and accessible events: Non-negotiables and uncovering your unique 'why' with Katie Koullas

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Creating truly inclusive, accessible events is possible, practical and powerful... and not optional! In this incredibly insightful and delightful chat with Katie Koullas from Yellow Ladybugs, she shares the non-negotiables of creating inclusive events, and big ideas around building your unique event that is just what your community needs.   "Accessibility is about removing barriers, but inclusion is about belonging and safety once you’re there." – Katie Koullas   In this guest speaker chat we cover: • How to define your non-negotiables and articulate a clear 'why' that...

info_outline
When NDIS promoted Autism resources do more harm than good show art When NDIS promoted Autism resources do more harm than good

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Adina Levy   In this episode I cover: • Why the Autistics Guide to Adulthood resource, funded and promoted by NDIS, is outdated and harmful in key ways • How to spot when a resource pushes masking, compliance,...

info_outline
"Don't Give Up and Prove Everyone Wrong" Following Dreams, AAC, and Horses with Kayla Ireland

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

"Don’t give up and prove everyone wrong" - Kayla Ireland shares how horses, AAC, and a fierce sense of self-advocacy help her chase her dreams and redefine what’s possible for herself and others.   There are intentional silences left in this recording. Normally I edit out long pauses, but when speaking with an AAC user like Kayla, it’s important to honour the natural pace of her communication and make space for her to share in her own way. This different flow of conversation may feel unfamiliar, but it’s valuable to experience and listen to.   In this episode, you’ll hear:...

info_outline
NDIS Pricing Freeze - What Allied Health Business Owners can do Right Now to Remain Sustainable show art NDIS Pricing Freeze - What Allied Health Business Owners can do Right Now to Remain Sustainable

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

If you’re an Allied Health business owner facing the NDIS pricing chaos, this episode gives you the practical steps you can take right now (today!) to steady your business, support your clients, and stop spinning in uncertainty.   “When you strengthen your business with a solid, sustainable model, your clients and community are the ones that are going to benefit, as well as you, as well as your team.” —Adina Levy   In this episode, I speak directly to Allied Health professionals facing the NDIS pricing freeze (or backslide), and offer practical, grounded ways to respond with...

info_outline
You can do the right hard things! (With the right support, at the right time) show art You can do the right hard things! (With the right support, at the right time)

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Being neurodiversity affirming doesn’t mean avoiding challenge. It doesn’t mean staying where you are, only doing what’s easy or comfortable. We can do hard things. We can learn new stuff, try new stuff, stretch ourselves – and we absolutely should. The key is doing the right hard things, for the right reasons, with the right support, at the right time. That’s how growth happens without stress, burnout, or disconnection from who we really are. “You get to define what the hard thing is in any one moment. If it feels hard, it is hard. That’s a valid, real experience.” -...

info_outline
Regulation & Co-Regulation - What we're getting wrong & how to get it right with OT Cheri Strecker show art Regulation & Co-Regulation - What we're getting wrong & how to get it right with OT Cheri Strecker

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

What looks like “bad behaviour” is usually a nervous system asking for help. In this episode, we explore what regulation really is, why it’s really, really hard for kids to self-regulate, and what adults can do instead. From brain development to fidgets, co-regulation to Disney characters, we cover the real stuff that helps kids feel safe and supported. “A caregiver’s regulation is the very first exposure a child has to what regulation is.” - Cheri Strecker, Occupational Therapist from Learn and Grow OT Cheri and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free...

info_outline
Q&A - How to do an affirming communication assessment? show art Q&A - How to do an affirming communication assessment?

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

If your gut says “this test isn’t showing the full story,” trust it – especially when working with Autistic children.   I'm sharing a live Q&A on Instagram (@play.learn.chat) every day Mon–Fri this week (31st March–4th April) – share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “We communicate in a different way. It’s not wrong. But standardised assessments will often make it seem like it is.” – Adina Levy   Answering Qs...

info_outline
Q&A - What to do when another therapist isn't ND Affirming (in a client's care team) show art Q&A - What to do when another therapist isn't ND Affirming (in a client's care team)

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

This Q&A chat is all about how to work alongside other professionals when your approaches to supporting an Autistic child don’t quite align.   I'm sharing a live every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “There is no point just telling people stuff, talking at them, when you know you're disagreeing... You may not actually be meeting them where they are or answering the questions or...

info_outline
Q&A - PECS & Speech (Articulation) Therapy - Are they ND Affirming? show art Q&A - PECS & Speech (Articulation) Therapy - Are they ND Affirming?

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Today's Q&As are on the topic of ALL COMMUNICATION IS VALID! Talking about PECS, and Artic therapy considerations   I'm sharing a live every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   “Speech, mouth words, are not the only valid way to communicate. If it’s not that person’s best form of communication in that moment, it’s not the best form of communication, full stop.”  ...

info_outline
Q&A - ND Affirming Play! Goals, progress notes, how I played as an Autistic kid show art Q&A - ND Affirming Play! Goals, progress notes, how I played as an Autistic kid

Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Curious how to support autistic kids in speech therapy without trying to change how they play? This 17 min episode is for you!   “Play and genuine playfulness—that is the context where learning, engagement and all the other things happen.”   I'm sharing a live every day Mon-Fri this week (31st March - 4th April) - share a Q by DM or email me! Ask Qs about Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy support for Autistic Children, or Qs about my course Affirming Communication for Autistic Children!   In this session I'm answering Qs and sharing thoughts and examples about: •...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
In this episode, I share the results of a recent survey I ran where almost 40 Autistic people shared their perspectives and experiences with eye contact. I created this survey and am sharing the responses to address the question of 'WHY eye contact is no longer an OK goal for Autistic people'.
Listen in to hear the surprising and diverse insights that came through!
 
Read the full responses from all the participants here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact
 
I hope that you will share this podcast episode and that blog post as resources to support other people in your life to understand just some of the differing perspectives and experiences that Autistic folks have around eye contact.
 
I'm keeping this survey open for more responses, so if you're Autistic or you support an Autistic person please feel free to share insights here: www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact