Tuning In to Development

In this episode of Tuning in to Development, host Kassie Allison sits down with Rachel Dorsey, an autistic speech-language pathologist in the Greater Boston area, to explore how authentic relationships can foster social confidence, connectedness, and resilience. Rachel shares her approach to creating natural opportunities for social engagement while actively neutralizing shame and affirming neurod...

In celebration of Speech-Language-Hearing Month, guest host Sherri Cawn sits down with longtime colleague and friend Cindy Harrison for a thoughtful conversation about communication, relationships, and the evolution of developmental practice. Together, they reflect on decades of experience as speech-language pathologists, early pioneers in the DIR Model movement, and advocates for relationship-bas...

In recognition of Occupational Therapy Month and Autism Acceptance Month, host Kassie Allison welcomes fellow occupational therapist Kate Bailey for a practical and engaging conversation about recognizing and supporting Individual Differences—and how those differences shape behavior, learning, and participation.  Kate explains how differences in sensory processing, motor planning, and visual-spati...

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison returns with guest Carrie Alvarado, PhD, OTR for a thoughtful conversation about the importance of intentionally including parents in therapy through Developmental, Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs). Dr. Alvarado shares how her work evolved from focusing primarily on direct child intervention to embracing the DIR model, which...

In this episode of Tuning into Development, Deborah Sussman steps in for host Kassie Allison for a thoughtful conversation with clinical social worker and developmental specialist Ruby Salazar. Together, they explore Ruby’s passion for working with families through the DIR® perspective and what it truly means to partner with caregivers in relationship-based, family-centered ways. Ruby shares how h...

What does love look like when we let go of social expectations and truly meet each other as we are? In this episode, guest host Dr. Jennie Trocchio is joined by Monica Osgood, a longtime leader in developmental, relationship-based approaches, and Anie Knipping, an autistic homemaker, author and artist, for a deeply human conversation about love, neurodiversity, and connection. Together, they explo...

In this insightful and engaging episode, host Kassie Allison and guest Traci Swink, MD delve into the intricate dynamics of stress, resilience, and nervous system regulation within families, particularly during challenging times. They explore how various stressors, including environmental and social factors, can impact both children and adults, and why some individuals are more susceptible to stre...

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison explores how families and clinicians can navigate the unique challenges the holiday season brings for neurodivergent children. Drawing on perspectives from both parents and professionals, Kassie discusses the increased stress, sensory demands, and shifting routines that can make this time of year especially overwhelming. Listeners wi...

In this episode, host Kassie Allison talks with Dr. Josh Feder, a child and family psychiatrist and Profectum Faculty member, about the complex topic of medication use in autism and neurodiversity. They discuss common reasons people are prescribed medications, the importance of addressing environmental and sensory factors first, and how naturalistic, developmental, and parent-mediated strategies c...

In this episode of 'Tuning into Development,' host Kassie Allison and Dr. Taiisha Calbert-Foster, a school psychologist, discuss comprehensive strategies to support students in the academic setting. They delve into the processes of 504 plans, IEPs, and student and parent rights. The conversation covers how to identify and address different student needs through classroom monitoring, building-level...

In this episode of 'Tuning into Development,' host Kassie Allison delves deep into a variety of feeding issues with guest experts Karen Dilfer, an occupational therapist, and Savannah Sunvold, a speech-language pathologist. Both guests provide insights on feeding therapy assessment and intervention practices. Karen shares her experience as a 'Get Permission' clinician, emphasizing a child-led, par...

In this episode of 'Tuning into Development,' host Kassie Allison explores the significance of play in children's development with guests Rachel Ottley and Rebecca Berg. Rachel and Kassie discuss how play encompasses various developmental aspects such as motor skills, sensory processing, and social interaction. The episode also highlights different play types, addressing misconceptions and offerin...

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host and pediatric occupational therapist Kassie Allison teams up with developmental experts Gilbert Foley, EdD, IMH-E and Linda Cervenka, MA, CCC-SLP to explore what aggression really is, what it reveals about a child’s internal state, and how caregivers and professionals can respond effectively. We discuss prevention strategies, how to support childre...

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison continues her rich conversation with Dr. Ricki Robinson about the powerful role of hope in supporting children with developmental differences. Together, they explore how medical issues can sometimes present as behavioral challenges and the importance of clinicians acting as detectives when a child’s behavior shifts unexpectedly. Kass...

In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison has a conversation with Dr. Ricki Robinson, a pediatrician with over 51 years of experience. Dr. Robinson shares her inspiring journey in developmental medicine, emphasizing the crucial role of hope in autism treatment. She reflects on discovering the DIR model through Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder in the 1990s, a time whe...

In this inspiring episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison welcomes a very special guest—Rosemary White, a renowned occupational therapist, senior faculty member at Profectum, and a leading expert in the DIR (Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based) model.  Kassie, an OT herself, shares her admiration for Rosemary’s work and how it has profoundly influenced her ow...

In this very first episode of Profectum’s new podcast, Kassie Allison introduces herself and shares her passion for development through the DIR® model. An Occupational Therapist, mentor, educator, and parent, Kassie brings over 20 years of experience to the conversation as she talks about her journey, her neurodiverse household, and what listeners can expect from the podcast. We’ll dive into the f...