Making the Shift for Autistic Kids

Want to kick off your speech sessions on the right foot? On this episode, I’m sharing my go-to strategy for getting your clients regulated in the first few minutes—so the rest of your session can be a total win! This is the game-changing routine you’ve been waiting for. We're diving into... ✔ The number one thing I start every session with... ✔ The perfect sensory input to calm “Tiggers” or energize “Eeyores.”... ✔ Real client examples and practical tips you can use immediately.... ✔ A sneak peek at some of my favorite sensory toys that never fail!... ✔ And more! If you liked this episode and want to learn more about supporting regulation in your sessions, check out the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy: https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

What does it mean to be a neurodiversity affirming social worker? Social workers are a crucial part of any team supporting neurodivergent individuals. With two primary paths—supporting nonprofits that serve the community or running a clinical practice providing direct care—social work is deeply rooted in social justice, advocating for equity and access for all individuals. On this episode of Making the Shift, Chris sits down with Sam Marion, a multiply neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, PDA) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to explore how neurodiversity-affirming practices are reshaping the field of social work. They’ll dive into the vital role social workers play in advocacy, support, and systemic change, while sharing practical insights and personal experiences. On this episode you'll learn... ✔ What it means to be a neuroaffirming social worker... ✔ How to connect with an LCSW and find the right fit for support... ✔ The vital role social workers play in advocacy, systemic change, and supporting neurodivergent individuals... ✔ The unique perspectives and insights Sam brings as a multiply neurodivergent (and late diagnosed) social worker... ✔ And more! To learn more about Sam, visit his website: https://www.sammarion.com/ Find him on social: https://www.instagram.com/sammarioncounseling/

On this episode, we’re diving deep into child-led therapy with none other than Nicole Casey, known as The Child Led SLP on Instagram. Nicole has built a reputation for championing this transformative approach and helping SLPs make the shift to empowering, child-centered practices with their gestalt language processors. Join us for this must-watch conversation and learn how to transform your sessions into joyful, impactful experiences for your clients. On this episode, we're discussing... ✔ Why understanding child-led therapy is essential for fostering trust, engagement, and authentic progress... ✔ How to make the shift to a child-led approach in therapy sessions... ✔ The importance of using a child-led approach with gestalt language processors... ✔ And more! P.S. Nicole's new GLP Workbook is out now! Click the link below and use code SENSORY for a special discount just for our audience :) https://nicole-casey.mykajabi.com/a/2147995862/KATj6Zcq

Keep or Cancel: Are These Goals ND Affirming? This week on our live show, we’re diving into therapy goals for Autistic kids. I'm going to read real therapy goals and decide in real time whether to keep them or cancel them. If you’re ready to level up your goal-writing game and make sure your goals truly support the kids you work with, you won’t want to miss this. On this episode, we're discussing... ✔ How to identify goals that don’t align with neurodiversity-affirming practices... ✔ Why pre-written goal banks may not be the answer... ✔ Honest conversations about what it means to write ND-affirming goals... If you want to learn more about neurodiversity affirming goal writing, make sure to join us in the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy for our in-depth training! https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

Today we are talking about what to do when video games are very overstimulating for kids. Do we let them play or not? How do we make it fair for the rest of the family? Here are a few things to consider about planning for video game use, helping in the moment of dysregulation, and setting kids up for success in the future.

Every week, we're flooded with DMs from SLPs and therapists asking the same thing, “how can I pull off sensory-based sessions if I don’t have a fancy gym?” And here’s the kicker—you don’t need one! Yes, sensory gyms are amazing, but when you know why each tool works, you can get creative and recreate that magic with stuff you already have. So even if you an SLP at a school, you can have succesful sensory sessions! On this episode of Making the Shift, we're breaking down how you can start with sensory today—no gym required. And check out our live show on YouTube if you want an exclusive tour of Chris's sensory classroom to see how it’s done in action! https://www.youtube.com/live/8pf7R6Yc8HM?si=hirpK6KWAACxdrcu To learn more about Chris's Neurodiversity Affirming Activity Book, click here: https://www.speechdude.com/book

As therapists we give and we give and we give! But as the famous saying goes, you can't pour from an empty cup. Here are some boundaries I have personally put into place over the years, and that we have adopted into our clinic, to help us work meaningfully with parents and other professionals...while also keeping our cups full!

A few weeks ago I saw my friend Alex Zachos (meaingfulspeech) post a video on how to program TD Snap for gestalt language processors. We use many different programs in our clinic, but we had never actually purchased the monthly subscription for TD Snap! But after that video, I was sold. Here's how we set up our clinic device with TD Snap for our GLPs.

Today I am giving you a sneak peek inside my best selling book! To grab the book & the free bonuses that come along with it, go to: https://www.sensoryslp.com/ready-set-connect-book or to leave an Amazon review, go to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sensory.slp/photo/amzn1.shoppablemedia.v1.2c470e70-8257-4ae7-bf01-47efaaa2851e?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfphoto_34PE2SAV5NEY6Q5PZX1P

Today I'm sharing the two biggest mistakes we make when trying to get others on board with neurodiversity affirming practices...and the ONE strategy I recommend that is extremely effective! To get access to more NeuroAffirming resources for training teams, make sure to join us in the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy: https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

Getting started with a sensory gym doesn't have to be as hard or expensive as you think. Here are some easy ways I created mine - with options for every budget! We're using Summit Sensory Gym to build out our new gym - and you can find more information about them here: https://www.summitsensory.com/ Find my Amazon storefront with fun toys and tools here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/sensory.slp?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_AKT12QGMXS0ECAJXFFRE And don't forget to grab EARLY BIRD pricing for the upcoming Virtual 2 Day Live Sensory Certificate Course for SLPs here: https://www.sensoryslp.com/sensory-certificate-course-virtual

Phone rings...I pick up...it's one of the producers of the Real Housewives. Yes - true story! Let me tell you what happened here (after the panic subsided...) If you are wanting to specialize in neurodiversity affirming practices, then sensory regulation is one of the core pillars you have to master! Let's knock that pillar out together in just 2 days at our upcoming event, the Inside Out Sensory Course Live. In this 2 day virtual training, you will gain incredible knowledge in sensory for SLPs (from foundations to assessment to treatment) in an immersive, interactive experience alongside other passionate therapists! Register now to save $200 with Early Bird Pricing! Early Bird ends on Monday, November 4th...so save your seat now! Click below & use the code EARLYBIRD200 to save $200!

This episode idea came from a text I received from a colleague who was asking if there was a more affirming word for scripting. The good news is that we can continue to use the word scripting - however, it's not just WHAT we're saying but HOW we're saying it. And sometimes that makes all the difference. Let's talk about it.

It's not uncommon we meet kids who have compliance-based approaches ingrained into them. They come into our sessions and automatically feel dysregulated because so much of their therapy has felt like "work" in the past...and in many cases, have actually been traumatic for them. How can we help our kids understand that we're not that type of therapist? And they don't have to be on guard when they come into our sessions? That's what we're talking about today.

Today we're talking about the core pillars of being the most effective, neurodiversity affirming SLP. There's so much to know...where should we start?! I'm sharing exactly what accelerated my transformation as a therapist, and what propelled the progress in my clients. If you are ready to become the most effective, affirming SLP then we would love to see you at our upcoming event: Inside Out Sensory Course Live. In this virtual training, you will gain incredible knowledge in sensory for SLPs (from foundations to assessment to treatment) in an immersive, interactive experience alongside other passionate therapists! Register now to save $200 with Early Bird Pricing! Early Bird ends on Monday, November 4th...so save your seat now! Click below & use the code EARLYBIRD200 to save $200! https://www.sensoryslp.com/sensory-certificate-course-virtual

Recently someone ask a question in an online group to help one of her students who was coming off "aggressive" or "rude" because of the way he was talking to others. She wanted to know if it was neurodiversity affirming to help this child use more "positive" language. There are a few ways you can support the child here in ND affirming ways...let's talk about them! P.s. If you want to learn more about how to support kids in ND affirming ways, come join us in the NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy! Click below to learn more: https://www.sensoryslp.com/neuroaffirm-therapy-academy

PECS is often an AAC system that's recommended for Autistic kids. But is it neurodiversity affirming? On this episode of Making the Shift, we talk about what PECS is, how it works, and what we need to consider when determining if it's a good option for AAC. If you are a therapist in need of training on how to implement AAC in your sessions, we have a special emphasis on using AAC in our last free training of the year! Join us for the Sensory SLP Workshop coming up at the end of the month, where we'll be talking all about how to use sensory strategies in your speech sessions, plus how to use AAAC in your sensory-based sessions! Click below to save your seat: https://www.sensoryslp.com/workshop

So often, kids are shut down when talking about their special interests. But what if we embraced them instead? Here's a heartwarming story about a 7 year old I worked with and how I embraced his passion, which led to more communication and conversation than I had ever seen from him.

Today I'm sharing one of the most powerful and hardest things you will ever hear - an excerpt from the famous article written by Autistic advocate Jim Sinclair in 1993. This changed my life and I hope it will bring you a new perspective too.

Using AAC in a sensory-based sessions can feel tough if you're not an octopus...but I will tell you there are ways to make it easy and successful! Today I'm sharing 3 ways you can use AAC in your sessions, even if you have kids who you need to be super hands-on with! To learn more about implementing AAC in your sensory-based sessions, make sure to join us for our LAST free training of the year...a half day Sensory SLP Workshop - with a special emphasis on AAC for AAC Awareness Month! Click below to save your seat: https://www.sensoryslp.com/workshop