Let Them Lead: The Child-Led Autism Podcast

In this conversation, Nicole Casey delves into the complexities of imposter syndrome, sharing her personal experiences and insights on self-doubt, particularly in the context of therapy and professional growth. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's strengths, overcoming the comparison trap, and embracing authenticity. Through her journey, she highlights that everyone has their unique...

  To learn more about Nicole and download the freebies, visit www.childled.org     In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses her unpopular opinion regarding AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and emphasizes the importance of personalization, motor planning, and empowering teams to engage with AAC devices. She challenges the notion that AAC programming should be left solely to specialis...

  Enjoying the podcast? Leave a kind review to help others find this show :)  To learn more about Nicole or download freebies, read blog, and dive into our courses and workbooks, visit www.childled.org This conversation delves into the concept of joint attention, particularly in the context of autistic children. Nicole Casey discusses how traditional views on joint attention often overlook the div...

Get 15% off The Informed SLP Subscription from now through 4/30 with code CHILDLED here   Download the FREE Movement Guide  here !     To learn more or to connect with Nicole, visit:  www.childled.org   In this episode, Nicole Casey explores the intersection of neuroscience and autism, particularly focusing on the concept of embodied learning. She emphasizes the importance of movement in the learn...

In this episode, Nicole Casey shares her experiences of being questioned and criticized in her child-led approach to therapy for autistic students. She discusses the challenges she faced early in her career, the importance of flexibility in therapy, and how to stand up for your methods. Nicole emphasizes the value of a child-led approach, the need for confidence in your methods, and how to respond...

Download the FREE guide to understanding how you show up for your autistic students here !     In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges faced by speech therapists, particularly when working with autistic students. She highlights the performative nature of therapy sessions, where therapists feel the need to entertain and engage students at a high energy level. Nicole emphasizes t...

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges faced by parents and professionals in supporting autistic children, particularly when traditional therapy methods fail to yield meaningful progress. She shares personal experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique communication needs of autistic individuals. The discussion highlights the limitations of compliance-...

GRAB YOUR FREE TICKET TO THE PLAY CONFERENCE HERE:  TODDLER PLAY CONFERENCE- FREE TICKET In this conversation, Rachel Madel discusses the evolution and current state of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). She emphasizes the increased awareness and accessibility of AAC, the importance of starting AAC early, and the need for collaboration among clinicians and parents. The discussion al...

Register for the FREE Play Conference here:  https://nicolec24--otholly.thrivecart.com/2025/   In this episode of the Great Language Partner podcast, Nicole and Katja welcome Emily Byers Chaney, a speech-language pathologist, to discuss the importance of a neurodiversity-affirming approach in therapy. They explore the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the significance of understandin...

Register for the FREE Play Conference here:  https://nicolec24--otholly.thrivecart.com/2025/   In this episode, Nicole Casey discusses the significance of child-led play in supporting autistic children. She differentiates between child-led and play-based therapy, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and the child's experience. Nicole introduces the concept of the 'three freedoms' of...

In this episode, Jamie Burch, a neurodiversity affirming speech language pathologist, discusses the importance of understanding the double empathy problem in supporting autistic individuals. The conversation explores how traditional approaches to speech therapy can inadvertently harm autistic children by enforcing masking and non-preferred communication styles. Jamie emphasizes the need for a shif...

On todays show we get to chat with Jessie Mewshaw. Jessie is a speech-language therapist serving kids from 18 months through 18 years in Chapel Hill, NC. She has worked in early intervention, the public schools & clinical settings during her ten years in practice. Jessie is passionate about serving neurodivergent clients & has focused her work on gestalt language, PDA & AAC. She is a dedicated lif...

In this episode, Katja and Nicole talk with Jessie Ginsburg (The Sensory SLP)  and Chris Wenger (Speech Dude) about all things sensory regulation and communication, and how understanding our autistic students holistically is a key part of neuroaffirming care.   Check out the links below to learn more about Jessie and Chris and their many amazing programs and resources:  Follow on Instagram:  @sens...

In today's show Nicole and Katja welcome guest Nikki Smit, (She/Her) Neurodivergent OT and founder of Project Play. This episode starts with talking about what occupational therapy is and how it can help autistic kids. Nikki then dives into what the term "regulation" really means, and what is doesn't mean. Nikki also discusses the importance of accommodating autistic students through practices of...

In this episode, Katja is joined by two of her best friends, Frey (he/him) and Atreus (they/them). They are both autistic adults and share reflections on their unique experiences with language development as autistic children, as well as insight gained from supporting their autistic child with language and emotional regulation.  Listen to Atreus' music :  https://www.instagram.com/thecopperceiling...

In this episode of the Great Language Partner podcast, Tor, a pediatric SLP, shares her journey in creating the YouTube channel 'Playtime with Tor,' which focuses on supporting Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs). The conversation delves into the differences between analytic and gestalt language processing, the importance of modeling language, and the strategies used in her videos to effectively en...

In this episode, Katja and Nicole discuss supporting hyperlexic gestalt language processors with Dyan Robson. Dyan is a fierce advocate for her two boys and passionate about all things hyperlexia and autism. She's an avid book reader, lifelong learner, and former piano teacher. She likes Toad as her Mario Kart driver and prefers to listen to audiobooks and podcasts at 3x speed. Her idea of a perfe...

In this conversation, Erin Clarelli, an occupational therapist, discusses the importance of understanding motor planning, apraxia, and dyspraxia in supporting autistic individuals, particularly those who are non-speaking or minimally speaking. She emphasizes the need to presume competence in these individuals and the role of motor coaching in helping them navigate their challenges. The discussion...

This is a quick episode to express how thankful we are for you! Take a few minutes to reflect on these affirmations and remind yourself of what an incredible job you are doing as you help your GLP on their communication journey.  To learn more about The GLP Workbook for parents and professionals, visit: https://nicole-casey.mykajabi.com/glpworkbook *Use code PODCAST for an extra discount at checko...

The Great Language Partner Workbook will be here on 11/25/2024!! Want to pre-order your copy of this amazing digital resource? Use code PODCAST at checkout for 5% off of your total! Get the workbook here: The GLP Workbook by Nicole Casey  

In this episode, Katja is joined by Amy Zembriski, a speech therapist who specializes in gestalt language as well as AAC. Amy and Katja discuss neurodiversity affirming goal writing. They share thoughts about what makes a goal neurodiversity affirming, IEP accommodations that might support neurodiversity affirming goals, joint attention looks different for autistic kids (and why most joint attenti...

In this episode, Katja and Nicole give an introduction to gestalt language, what it means to be a gestalt language processor, and the Natural Language Acquisition (NLA) stages. The Gestalt Iceberg Visual PDF : https://connectionsspeech.myflodesk.com/z6tg5aaz6i Avenlur Link code BOHOSPEECHIE: https://avenlur.com/BOHOSPEECHIE To Learn More About Gestalt Language Processing:  To learn more about gest...

In today's episode, Katja and Nicole are joined by Erin Forward. Erin is a speech therapist and certified lactation consultant at a children's hospital. She has advanced training in pediatric feeding disorders, early language, AAC, and trauma, specifically for medically complex children. She is also a DIR floor time provider and a TBIR trained practitioner. Erin is a regular cohost of the First Bi...

In today's show, Nicole and Katja discuss becoming a neurodiversity affirming practitioner with Cari Ebert, (She/Her). Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master's degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari i...

In today's show Nicole and Katja welcome guest and friend of the pod Jordan Levan, (He/Him) an apraxia, disability, and mental health advocate, to discuss his lived experiences of growing up with childhood apraxia of speech. He describes the life long speech disorder and helps to dispel some of the commonly misunderstood conceptions about apraxia of speech as well as the neurological differences b...