VIDEOS

Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

An autistic student can score well on a receptive language or comprehension assessment—and still struggle to access that information when they need it. So what are we actually measuring? In this conversation, speech-language pathologist Staci Neustadt talks with Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist and founder of Making Sense of Autism, about what traditional comprehension scores may miss. We explore why an autistic student may know an answer but be unable to retrieve it in the moment—and how auditory processing, working memory, regulation, sensory load, word retrieval, and the way the autistic brain makes connections can affect the response we see. You’ll also learn why a response that seems “off topic” may actually make sense from the autistic person’s perspective, how visual supports and choices can help bridge the gap, and one simple self-advocacy question we can teach instead of assuming, “They’re not listening.” For SLPs, educators, and other professionals supporting autistic students, this is an important shift: Instead of only asking, “Can they do it?” we also need to ask, “What helps them access it when they need it?” 👉 Want to better understand the strengths, barriers, supports, and self-advocacy needs underneath social communication? Explore our Neuro-Affirming Social Communication Profile: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/social-communication-profile Subscribe for weekly conversations about neuro-affirming autism assessment, social communication, language, regulation, and strengths-based support. #Autism #SpeechTherapy #SLP #Neuroaffirming #ReceptiveLanguage #AutisticCommunication #SocialCommunication Not ready to dive into assessment yet, but want to start shifting how you understand and support autistic individuals? Start with our $17 course, Changing to a Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework. It will introduce you to the framework behind how we look beyond behaviors and deficits to better understand strengths, barriers, and the supports that can make things easier. Start here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Are you trying to make your autism assessments more neuro-affirming — but still need to identify meaningful areas of support and write measurable goals? In this conversation, SLP Staci Neustadt and autistic retired occupational therapist Susan Golubock of Making Sense of Autism explore what changes when we stop beginning an autism assessment with “What can’t this person do?” and start asking better questions: • What can they already do? • What matters to them? • What is making this harder? • When is the skill easier to access? • What supports make a difference? • What does the autistic person actually want help with? We also talk about an important distinction for speech-language pathologists: demonstrating a skill during a standardized assessment doesn’t necessarily mean an autistic student can access and use that same skill in a busy classroom, during stress, or when processing demands increase. That difference can completely change the goals we write. If you’re an SLP, OT, educator, school psychologist, or other professional looking for practical ways to move toward neuro-affirming, strengths-based autism assessment without overlooking genuine support needs, this conversation is for you. 🎁 FREE RESOURCE: 8 Social Communication Behaviors We May Be Misunderstanding Get the free guide here: http://www.makingsenseofautism.com/social-skills Making Sense of Autism provides neuro-affirming autism education, assessment tools, professional training, and resources for SLPs and other professionals supporting autistic children, teens, and adults. #NeuroAffirming #AutismAssessment #SpeechTherapy #SLP #AutisticStudents #SocialCommunication #StrengthsBased #AutismSupport For our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Struggling with teaching autistic clients communication without encouraging masking? We explore the fine line between supporting social skills and self-advocacy. Learn a key question to shift towards awareness in your next session. For our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

How do you teach social skills to autistic students "without teaching masking"? Many Speech-Language Pathologists want to provide neuro-affirming social communication therapy, but aren't sure where the line is between supporting communication and teaching an autistic client to perform neurotypical social behaviors. In this conversation, speech-language pathologist Staci Neustadt and autistic retired occupational therapist Susan Golubock explore what autistic masking can look like—and what we can teach instead. We talk about: * What autistic masking means * The difference between social communication support and teaching masking * Why eye contact, facial expressions, body language, and other “expected” social behaviors shouldn't automatically become therapy goals * How to approach communication differences with curiosity instead of correction * Why knowing a social rule on a pragmatic language assessment doesn't necessarily mean a client can access or use that information during real-life communication * How to build self-awareness and self-advocacy * How to think differently about neuro-affirming social communication goals One of the biggest shifts? Instead of asking: “What social skill does this autistic student need to learn?” Try asking this question you'll learn about at the end of the video. Neuro-affirming social communication therapy isn't about teaching autistic clients to look more neurotypical. It's about helping them understand themselves, understand communication differences, recognize where misunderstandings may happen, explore options, and advocate for what works for them. If you're an SLP, OT, educator, or other professional trying to move away from compliance-based social skills therapy, this conversation will give you a different way to think about assessment, goals, and intervention. Want help putting this into practice? Our Neuro-Affirming Social Communication & Soft Skills course walks you through supporting self-awareness, body awareness, emotional awareness, communication, and self-advocacy, without making masking the goal. Enroll in the course today: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/social-communication-profile Because we don't want our clients leaving therapy knowing how to mask better. We want them leaving therapy understanding themselves better and knowing how to advocate for what they need. Are you new to us? Start here.... $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

If you’re an SLP trying to move away from traditional social skills therapy but wondering **what to teach instead**, this conversation is for you. Many speech-language pathologists are rethinking goals around eye contact, turn-taking, staying on a non-preferred topic, and performing “expected” social behaviors—but removing those goals leaves an important question: **What does neuro-affirming social communication therapy actually look like?** In this video, Staci Neustadt, MS, CCC-SLP, and Susan Golubock, autistic retired occupational therapist and founder of Making Sense of Autism™, explore practical ways SLPs can support autistic social communication without teaching masking or requiring autistic clients to communicate in neurotypical ways. We discuss: * Perspective-taking that starts with understanding the autistic person’s perspective * Identifying individual communication styles and processing needs * Recognizing communication differences instead of labeling them as deficits * Building self-awareness and body awareness as foundations for social communication * Teaching self-advocacy so clients can communicate what they need * Moving beyond rehearsed social scripts toward meaningful, two-way communication If traditional social skills therapy no longer aligns with how you want to support autistic clients, this video will help you understand **what can replace it—and where to start.** Subscribe to Making Sense of Autism™ for practical, neuro-affirming autism education and social communication strategies for SLPs and other professionals supporting autistic individuals. For our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

This video explains the neuro strength-based framework and how to understand autistic students' statements about not wanting friends by simplifying social interactions. For our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

This video explores the common statement "I don't want friends" from autistic individuals, explaining it often stems from social interactions being overwhelming, and offers strategies to make social environments easier. For our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Learn the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: understanding how the autistic brain experiences the world to create support that builds on strengths, not deficits. Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/