What do you do when an autistic child shuts down, walks away, or says no as soon as you introduce a therapy goal? You can be child-led and still work toward meaningful goals. In this conversation, we explore how sensory needs, regulation, processing, and the expectation itself can make participation harder—and why leading with invitation instead of expectation can change what happens in your therapy session.

What if autism regulation starts before therapy even begins? In this week's vlog, Staci Neustadt, SLP, and autistic OT Susan Golubock share three neuro-affirming strategies you can use every session to help autistic clients stay regulated, engaged, and ready to learn—without relying on rewards or behavior management.

Learn why power struggles happen with autistic children and how to reduce meltdowns, build trust, and increase engagement using supportive strategies.