Practical Strategies for Gestalt Language Processors (AAC users too!) with Alex Zachos from Meaningful Speech
Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Release Date: 01/22/2025
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...
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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– Adina Levy In this episode I cover: • Why the Autistics Guide to Adulthood resource, funded and promoted by NDIS, is outdated and harmful in key ways • How to spot when a resource pushes masking, compliance,...
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"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:...
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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...
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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.” -...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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.” ...
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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_outlineIn today's episode, I chat with the fabulous Alex Zachos from Meaningful Speech, a senior speech language pathologist with 20 years of experience. Alex specialises in Gestalt Language Processing and has revolutionised how we understand and support language development using Marge Blanc's Natural Language Acquisition framework.
Alex shares practical tips for putting these theories into action when you connect with children who are GLPs, including how to support GLPs who are AAC users.
Alex and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me hi@playlearnchat.com or get in touch with us on Instagram – Alex is @meaningfulspeech and I’m @play.learn.chat
Connect with Alex:
https://www.instagram.com/meaningfulspeech/
Links and resources discussed:
Podcast episode 44, with Marge Blanc - Gestalt Language Processing, Natural Language Acquisition & the State of Research - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-44/
Free resource from Alex: Gestalt Detective GLP Handbook (2nd Edition) - Click here
More free Resources (inlcuding the Free Masterclass we talked about) from Meaningful Speech - https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/free-resources
Self-paced Courses from Meaningful Speech (Use the code ‘ADINA’ for 5% OFF)- https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/Self-Paced-Courses
Adina's course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children - https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ 🥳 Doors opening soon! Get on the waitlist now to get the best offer when we're open for registrations!
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat