Neurotwist: A Speech Pathologist's Journey Through Neurodiversity

On this episode, Tor from Playtime with Tor joins to share her love of Gestalt Language Processing! She tells us about how she learned about GLP, gaining confidence with implementing these strategies, and of course, the incredible success of her YouTube channel "Playtime wit Tor", where she creates videos demonstrating language modeling strategies for GLPs. I hope you enjoy the episode!...

On today's episode, Erin A, the parent behind the Instagram account @spinsandstomps joins to discuss all of the ways her parenting has changed as a result of discovering her child's neurodivergent identity. She shares about how she incorporates lower demands into her home routines, Gestalt processing, and how AAC has benefitted her family. I hope you enjoy our conversation! Follow Erin on...

On today's episode, I am joined by Daj Mitchell, an SLP with a background in ABA who has embraced the value of collaboration in across therapy fields. After briefly exploring an additional BCBA certification, she dove into neurodiversity-affirming practices, but discusses the importance of keeping the door open with this influential service in the autism space. This wide-ranging conversation a...

On today's episode, BCBA Jenny Sun Lai joins the podcast to talk about the professional journey she has taken as an ABA provider implementing neuro-affirming practices. She takes us through the history of ABA and how herself and other providers have evolved their practices, specificaly highlighting Dr Ross Green's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions model. I hope you enjoy this conversat...

Private practice SLP Kaitlin Mulcahey joins this episode to talk about how her neurodivergent mind impacts her clinical perspectives and how she approaches potentially complex conversations with her families. We cover a range of topics including how to help families embrace neurodiversity, discussing AAC and implementation, and continuously advocating for the needs of our clients. Hope you enjoyed...

On today's episode, I am joined by Dyan Robson who runs the website and Instagram page "And Next Comes L", where she has made it her mission to spread to word about hyperlexia. In our conversation we go over the basics of what hyperlexia is, talk about her family's experience with embracing and supporting hyperlexia, and some ideas for how to support hyperlexic learners in your l...

On today's episode, I am joined by the wonderful Maria De Leon, M.S., CCC-SLP to talk about all things cultural sensitivity and AAC. Maria shares tips for what we should consider when creating and editing systems for multilingual families, how our own culture can impact us as clinicians, and what monolingual, white SLPs can do to make sure AAC implementation is meeting the needs of every famil...

On today's episode, I am joined by The Neuroaffirming Parent, who runs and account on Instagram dedicated to advocacy in the name of neurodiversity acceptance and inclusion. Our discussion today is focused on education, and her journey as a parent advocating for the needs of her children as well as the philosophies that guide her homeschooling journey. Hope you enjoy today's episode! Follo...

On today's episode of Neurotwist, I am joined by my mother, an experienced educator and elementary school principal. She has a wealth of experience working with students from a variety of backgrounds, especially in "Title 1" category schools in Texas. She shares about her experiences and perspectives on the educational system and how it serves neurodivergent students, and we also ref...

It's about time for winter break, which means it's time to check in on those IEPs! Destiny Huff, MS, LPC, CPCS, educational advocate, joins us on this episode to share what she sees parents concerned with at this point in the school year regarding their child's IEP, including ensuring that accommodations are being used, whether or not the IEP is appropriate for the student, and how to...

In this episode, I am joined by children's book author and educator Chandele Morris to discuss the state of neurodiversity and inclusion in the public education system. We discuss her experiences as a teacher and parent of a child with an IEP, how she write stories to represent real experiences of neurodivergent kids, and ways that parents can advocate for their child within the school system....

In this episode, Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC from the First Bite podcast joins the show to share what she's learned about incorporating neurodiversity and trauma-informed practices into feeding therapy. We discuss the importance of using an affirming lens in feeding therapy, keeping the very real concerns of caregivers in mind while honoring the bodily autonomy of our patients, and why sys...

In today's episode, I am joined by "Sensory SLP" Jessie Ginsburg to talk about the importance of sensory regulation for learning and language development, and how home-based therapists can incorporate these strategies into their sessions. She gives her insight into how to get family buy-in for sensory strategies, an overview of arousal levels and what they mean for engagement, and wh...

On today's episode of Neurotwist, Early Childhood Intervention SLP Rachel Anton joins the show for a discussion about all things neurodiversity in the early intervention setting. Fresh off her CF year, Rachel shares about what she has learned to make incorporating affirming care into caregiver coaching more successful, and we commiserate about the unique challenges that therapists can face in...

On this episode of Neurotwist, we hear from Angie Evenich, M.S., CF-SLP, who is a clinician with cerebral palsy. She shares about her experiences as a graduate student and clinician, giving insight into navigating the accommodations process as a student, the barriers to entry in the grad school application process, and what clinical educators can do to improve their mentorship of disabled students...

In this episode, we are joined by "The Musical SLP", Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP, CMT to discuss the many ways that music and musicality impact and are effective with gestalt language processors. Join us as we explore music theory's effects on the brain, the importance of "whole body" learning experiences, and where you can start with incorporating music into your therapy, e...

This is the FINAL episode of the Prep for an Affirming School Year series! On today's episode, Anima Mishra, MS, CCC-SLP, CAS, ADHD-CRSP joins to open up the conversation about how culture intersects with neurodiversity. We discuss the nuances in how disability and neurodiversity are viewed throughout the world, how the education system in different areas play a part, and how where and when yo...

This is episode 7 of the Prep for an Affirming School Year series and parents, this one is for you! Julie Carter, Education Rights Lawyer joins us to break down what IDEA is, the rights that a child and family has under this law, and how it can provide opportunity for neurodiversity-affirming services and supports. This episode is jam-packed with information that you do not want to miss! Disclaime...

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Prep for an Affirming School Year series! Today we hear from Emma Weiner, MS, OTR/L about how neurodiversity-affirming supports can be implemented into the adult transition period of a student's school experience. Through her unique role at a residency school for neurodivergent high schoolers and young adults, she has learned how to make learning experiences meaning...

On this 5th episode of the Prep for an Affirming School Year series, Katelyn Kelps, M.S., CCC-SLP from The Communication Classroom joins us to talk about neurodiversity-affirming practices at the high school level. You'll hear about how she ensures that the student is at the center of their IEP and services, shifts her colleagues perspective of what "real life" means, and uses authen...

This is our 4th episode of Prep for An Affirming School Year, where we're talking to school-based professionals about how they implement affirming practices in their setting and spread the word on their campus and in their districts. In this episode, SLPA Clarissa Behrens speaks about the opportunities she's had to share new ideas with supervisors and others on her team, and how she makes...

We're back for the third episode in the Prep for an Affirming School Year series! In this episode, elementary school psychologist Breea Rosas gives us insight into how she incorporates a neurodiversity affirming lens in her role in the school setting. Listen to learn about how reports can be transformed from shaming to supportive, how behavior plans can work for the student rather than against...

We are returning for another episode of "Prep for an Affirming School Year", this time discussing SLP services for young elementary school students with Sara Peele, M.A., CCC-SLP. Listen to learn about how the process from referral to IEP can be infused with a neurodiversity-affirming approach, gaining confidence with providing child-led services, tips for incorporating student interests...

It's the first episode of the Prep for an Affirming School Year series! For this first installment, Abby from @thenotsoneurotypicalteacher joins us to talk about a child's first experiences in the schools, the early childhood classroom. We discuss how to implement affirming strategies with large groups, working with the classroom team, and taking risks with teaching. Listen for more! Follo...

In this week's episode, Emily gets vulnerable and discusses the experience of getting an autism diagnosis as an adult. She walks through early experiences in childhood that gave a preview to later diagnosis, experiences in therapy, and the diagnosis process itself. She also answers some listener questions about the experience and what has changed since then. Follow Emily on Instagram! Cover ar...