VIDEOS

In celebration of AAC Awareness Month, Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, joins Susan Golubock, an autistic retired OT, to discuss the importance of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) for autistic individuals. They emphasize how AAC, gestures, and body language provide valuable ways to express needs when traditional speech is challenging. Discover why communication partners modeling AAC themselves fosters connection and progress, and learn practical strategies to respect and honor all forms of communication. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain, and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals by understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Rather than just focusing on engaging activities, Susan emphasizes the importance of ensuring that activities connect to real-life learning goals. They explore how to engage autistic individuals by making the learning process meaningful, ensuring that skills are relevant, and discussing how to move from a medical to a strength-based mindset. Here's a freebie to help guide you to be sure your client knows what they are working on and why: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/why-i-learn Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

In this episode, Staci Neustadt, CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, a retired autistic occupational therapist, discuss autistic social communication. They explore how common therapy goals often misinterpret the needs of autistic individuals, offering insights into creating more affirming and supportive strategies. Autistic communication is often marked by differences that others misunderstand. These differences reflect unique ways of processing and expressing thoughts, emotions, and needs. By recognizing and valuing these distinctions, we can improve understanding and connection, avoiding the common misunderstandings that arise from interpreting these expressions through a non-autistic lens. Want to assess your autistic clients and students so you know what THEY want support with? Here is your tool: www.makingsenseofautism.com/my-communication Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Susan, an autistic retired occupational therapist, and Staci, a speech-language pathologist, explore a common challenge many autistic individuals face: understanding when their bodies need rest. Autistics may not naturally recognize the signals for fatigue or overwhelm, leading to burnout or sensory overload. Learn strategies to help identify early signs of needing a break, communicate those needs, and create routines that allow for rest and recovery before reaching a tipping point. This video is designed for parents, educators, and therapists to support autistic individuals in maintaining balance and well-being. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. Listen to Susan and Staci, Speech-Language Pathologist, talk about the support we can provide autistic individuals in a way that is meaningful to them. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/ #actuallyautistic #askmisssueaboutautism

This week, Susan (autistic retired occupational therapist) and Staci (ADHD speech therapist) explore how to support autistic individuals in making decisions by offering choices, sharing control, and fostering problem-solving skills. We'll dive into practical strategies to promote autonomy while respecting neurodiverse needs. Learn how creating an environment of shared control helps reduce stress, improve communication, and nurture decision-making confidence. This video is perfect for parents, educators, and therapists looking to build stronger connections and empower autistic individuals in their everyday lives. More on Shared Control: https://youtu.be/w2S9ljyWJw0 More on Problem-Solving: https://youtu.be/UDvq7Egf3L8 Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain, and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Forcing conversations on topics that don't interest someone won't build real friendships. In this conversation, Susan and Staci discuss why, for autistics (and really everyone), focusing on shared interests is essential instead of pushing non-preferred topics. Learn how finding common ground can lead to genuine connections and lasting friendships. We'll show you practical ways to identify and nurture these shared interests, helping autistics foster authentic relationships. If you are a therapist who has created goals around "non-preferred topics," this conversation is for you!!! And the old me:) Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Discover the powerful world of non-verbal communication in autism. This video explores how extreme behaviors are often a form of meaningful expression, not just reactions. Learn how to interpret these signals, understand what they truly mean, and respond in a way that supports and empowers autistic individuals. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this guide will help you connect more deeply with the autistic people in your life by recognizing and valuing their unique ways of communicating. Also, check out our video on autistic children who elope: https://youtu.be/dUZWGhl9Ypg Here is our video and easy steps you can take to improve communication in the classroom: https://youtu.be/sPd5rVdMo-M Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain, and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Is your child or client running away or wandering off? You’re not alone. Elopement, a behavior where autistic children may suddenly flee, is a complex issue that can be both puzzling and alarming. But what if understanding why could help you prevent it? In this video, we dive deep into the hidden reasons behind elopement—whether it’s to escape something overwhelming or to reach something enticing. Discover powerful strategies to decode your child’s non-verbal cues, anticipate their needs, and open up channels of communication that could make all the difference. Join us as we share essential tips to keep your child safe, understood, and connected. FREEBIE: Here's the schedule freebie we mentioned www.makingsenseofautism.com/visual-schedule Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Auditory processing is an area of weakness for some autistics. What do you do when you are a teacher and teaching is all about talking when teaching ?!? Susan shares two easy strategies you can implement TODAY so your students not only feel seen and heard for how they learn they will trust that you will teach them in the way they learn:) Bonus! Share this freebie with your students' parents to start the year off knowing your students' strengths and needs! www.makingsenseofautism.com/teach-me Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist. Her passion is the brain and the company's mission is to help people connect with autistic individuals through understanding their differences. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to www.makingsenseofautism.com. For our free course go here: https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/courses/changing-to-NSBSA Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/