VIDEOS

What if one small phrase — “It’s okay to be different” — could have changed everything? In this heartfelt conversation, Staci Neustadt, Speech-Language Pathologist and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, autistic retired Occupational Therapist and founder of Making Sense of Autism, explore how the words we use shape how autistic individuals see themselves. Susan shares how growing up hearing words like “obsessed” or “too focused” made her internalize shame — and how simply being told “it’s okay” could have fostered self-acceptance. Staci reflects on her own shift from deficit-based language to neuro-affirming, strengths-based support, and how reframing terms like “perseverates on” to “is motivated by” completely changes relationships, learning, and emotional safety. Together, they discuss: The emotional impact of deficit-based language How subconscious bias shapes our perceptions Ways to consciously reframe judgment into curiosity Why language shifts literally rewire the brain toward understanding Practical examples of integrating interests and intrinsic motivation into learning 💜 Whether you’re a parent, therapist, teacher, or ally, this conversation will help you shift from seeing autism as something to fix to something to understand. 👉 Subscribe to Making Sense of Autism for weekly videos exploring neuro-affirming language, motivation, sensory regulation, and strengths-based support. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Many autistic children struggle with “big movements” — pushing too hard, pulling too strong, or appearing “aggressive.” But what if these behaviors aren’t behavior at all? In this episode of Making Sense of Autism, Staci Neustadt, Speech-Language Pathologist, and autistic retired Occupational Therapist Susan Golubock explain how muscle and joint input (proprioception) acts as the body’s natural calming system — helping the nervous system regulate, calm the mind, and support learning and connection. You’ll learn: Why muscle and joint input is always calming (the “master inhibitor” of the nervous system) How lack of body awareness affects motor control, emotions, and regulation Why some autistic children appear “out of control” or “aggressive” when they’re actually dysregulated How to use deep pressure, movement, and sensory strategies to help the body feel safe and calm Simple tools parents, teachers, and therapists can use to support self-regulation and sensory processing. This video bridges the gap between sensory processing, emotional regulation, and behavior—helping you understand the autistic experience from the inside out. Get the FREEBIE HERE: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/balance-regulation Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Many autistic individuals are misunderstood as “unmotivated” when they don’t start a task, conversation, or request. But what’s really happening beneath the surface is much more complex — and deeply human. In this week’s conversation, Staci Neustadt, SLP and Susan Golubock, autistic retired OT, unpack how initiation challenges are often rooted in executive functioning differences, processing time, working memory, and anxiety — not willpower. You’ll learn: 🧠 Why “lack of initiation” isn’t a motivation issue but a neurological processing difference 💬 How to acknowledge actions as communication before expecting words ⌛ Why giving extra wait time (10–15 seconds or more) helps connection 📋 Simple supports like one-step visuals or flip charts to reduce overwhelm 💡 How AAC modeling and observation strengthen communication naturally 💗 The emotional side — how anxiety and burnout impact social initiation Whether you’re a parent, therapist, teacher, or autistic individual, this video will help you shift from frustration to understanding — and from prompting to empowering. Link on burnout: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autistic-burnout-recovery/?srsltid=AfmBOopfjQDuTaS_XI_fOQzvq9HMIKMS3wzaUr5itrdxYFrHifhwcEx1 Subscribe for weekly videos that help you support autistic individuals through understanding, not fixing. 00:00 – Intro: Why “Lack of Initiation” Is Misunderstood Staci and Susan introduce the topic and share how initiation is often mistaken for low motivation. 02:20 – What’s Really Happening in the Autistic Brain Susan explains how inconsistent neural connections and processing time affect initiation. 05:25 – When Action Is Easier Than Words Staci shares a story about a client using actions for communication — and how she learned to see it differently. 07:20 – “Language Can Come After the Action” Susan describes how modeling and AAC support help build language naturally after movement or intent. 10:10 – Initiating Tasks and Everyday Routines Susan explains her personal experience with task initiation and strategies to reduce overwhelm (one-step visuals, focus on sequence). 13:30 – Too Many Steps = Too Much Overwhelm Why checklists and multi-step visuals can backfire — and how flip charts or single-step visuals help. 14:40 – Initiating Social Communication How anxiety and fatigue can block conversation starts — and why shared interests and predictability help. 15:40 – Final Thoughts: Shifting from Prompting to Understanding Staci and Susan summarize how to support initiation through patience, clarity, and acknowledging all forms of communication. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

When society teaches autistic individuals to “fit in,” they often lose their sense of self. In this powerful conversation, Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist, shares how being treated “like everyone else” led her to suppress her true identity for decades — until discovering her autism in her 50s changed everything. Joined by Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, they explore: ✨ Why masking and compliance can be deeply traumatic ✨ How to rebuild self-awareness and self-acceptance after years of hiding ✨ What parents, teachers, and therapists can do to nurture a strong sense of self from the start ✨ Why self-awareness is the foundation for all soft skills and emotional growth This conversation challenges compliance-based approaches and shows how understanding, not fixing, leads to true support and connection. 🔗 Explore our free tools and neuro-affirming assessment resources below. Self-Awareness: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bhOuAWm2bv5eDH4S_GdHv9-rLonf0s2O/view?usp=sharing ASAN: https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/books/ Wonderfully Wired Brains: https://www.amazon.com/Wonderfully-Wired-Brains-Introduction-Neurodiversity/dp/0744074630 Neuro-Strengths-Based Assessments: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-assessments 🧠 Subscribe for weekly videos on neuro-affirming therapy, strengths-based supports, and autistic perspectives. #AutismAcceptance #Neurodiversity #SelfAwareness #AutisticVoices #MakingSenseOfAutism #NeuroAffirming #AutismSupport #Masking #Compliance #SelfAcceptance #AutisticWomen Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

What if your autism assessments stopped chasing deficits and started unlocking strengths? In this episode, retired autistic OT Susan Golubock and SLP Staci Neustadt (CEO, Making Sense of Autism) explain—from the autistic perspective—why deficit-based, standardized testing often leads to goals that don’t generalize, create stress, and stall engagement. You’ll learn how a neuro-affirming, strengths-based approach—grounded in routines, predictability, motivation, and soft skills (the real “street smarts”)—translates into practical, functional goals that autistic learners actually want to work on. What you’ll learn: *Why traditional, deficit-based, and standardized assessments miss autistic strengths *How to identify deeper strengths (e.g., persistence, sensory seeking, attention to detail) beyond “good at reading/drawing” *The role of soft skills (problem solving, flexibility, self-advocacy) as common barriers to goal success *How stress, sensory load, and inconsistent processing reduce engagement—and what to do instead *Using strengths like routine & predictability to reduce cognitive load and increase carryover The 4 focus areas of our framework: Strengths, Potential Strengths, Barriers, Triggers—and how they drive better outcomes. Want to be one of the founders of neuro-affirming assessments? Get on the waitlist to be the first cohort: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/trial-assessment Who this is for Parents, teachers, SLPs, OTs, psychologists, and anyone who says they’re “already neuro-affirming” but still feels stuck turning test results into meaningful support. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism 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 frustrated in your therapy sessions, worried you might trigger your autistic client, or unsure how to engage them? You’re not alone. Many parents, teachers, and therapists feel stuck when traditional goals don’t seem to work. In this video, Staci Neustadt, Speech-Language Pathologist and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, joins autistic retired Occupational Therapist Susan Golubock to unpack why perception matters in autism assessments. Instead of labeling behaviors as problems, they show how to interpret what autistic individuals are communicating about their strengths, potential strengths, barriers, and triggers. By shifting from a deficit lens to a neuro-strengths-based approach, you’ll learn: ✅ How autistic brain differences impact perception, motivation, and communication ✅ Why reframing behaviors reveals what autistic individuals are truly telling you ✅ How to use strengths and supports to spark instant social connection and progress ✅ Why listening to the autistic perspective changes everything in therapy and teaching Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, this conversation will help you understand autism instead of trying to fix it—so you can go into assessments and sessions with clarity, confidence, and compassion. 👉 Join the waitlist for our upcoming course and assessments here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_1J8ZlmwlLn43ZsF3tx8KJZCgKDcyDR-Q2TD_deRN3Bl61w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114603839959242378544 #AutismAssessment #NeurodiversityAffirming #StrengthBasedSupport #MakingSenseOfAutism Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism 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 a parent, teacher, or therapist looking for practical tools to support autistic students? In this video, Staci Neustadt, Speech-Language Pathologist and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, introduce their “Teach Me the Way I Learn Best” handout—a simple but powerful resource for schools and families. *FREEBIE HANDOUT LINK BELOW.... You’ll learn: ✔️ How to identify and build on autistic strengths (including those that aren’t always seen as positive at first). ✔️ What potential strengths look like—and how to encourage motivation and growth. ✔️ How to recognize barriers that block learning. ✔️ Common triggers that cause stress and shutdowns in the classroom. ✔️ Ways to share this information with teachers, aides, and staff to create an affirming, supportive school environment. Teacher BONUS! We also share real classroom examples of how teachers can use this handout with everyday curriculum and routines to reduce stress, increase engagement, and support success. This tool helps schools and families get 10 steps ahead by understanding how an autistic child learns best—before frustration, overwhelm, or behavior challenges set in. 👉 Download the Teach Me the Way I Learn Best handout here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/teach-me 👉 Subscribe for weekly strategies on autism strengths, communication, and classroom support. #AutismSupport #AutismStrengths #Neurodiversity #MakingSenseOfAutism #AutismInTheClassroom #ParentingAutism #AutismTeacherTips Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Many autistic behaviors that are labeled as “problems” are actually hidden strengths and can be attempts to connect. In this video, Staci Neustadt (Speech-Language Pathologist) and Susan Golubock (autistic retired Occupational Therapist) explain how to look beyond behavior to understand the true purpose behind an autistic child’s actions. You’ll learn: Why behaviors that look like “attention-seeking” are really communication. How subconscious bias leads us to misinterpret autistic behaviors as “bad.” Simple strategies to modify actions without punishment—while teaching clearer, more affirming ways to connect. Why every behavior has a purpose and how to uncover it. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or therapist, this perspective shift will help you build stronger connections and reduce meltdowns, frustration, and misunderstandings. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. Our mission is simple: to help parents, teachers, therapists, and professionals connect with autistic individuals by recognizing neurological differences, building on strengths, and creating meaningful support systems. On this channel, you’ll find: *Practical strategies for supporting autistic children, teens, and adults *Neurodiversity-affirming perspectives from autistic and professional voices *Tools for parents, educators, and therapists to better understand behavior, sensory *processing, executive functioning, and communication *Resources that highlight autistic strengths and shift away from compliance-based approaches We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/

Many autistic people are told they are “too rigid” or “too honest.” But the truth is—we were never taught the soft skills that help with flexibility, problem-solving, and navigating social rules. In this conversation, Susan Golubock, autistic retired occupational therapist, shares her lived experience of growing up as a rule-follower who feared consequences. Over time, she learned how non-autistic people “stretch the rules,” tell small lies, or bend expectations—and how understanding this gave her more choices without compromising her values. Together with Staci Neustadt, neurodivergent speech-language pathologist, Susan explains: ✔️ The difference between laws, rules, and guidelines (and why they matter) ✔️ Why autistic honesty is often misunderstood in a rigid world ✔️ How observing non-autistic behavior helped her learn flexibility in her own way ✔️ The importance of keeping your values while still finding socially safe solutions ✔️ Why understanding why people bend rules can reduce confusion and self-blame This is not about teaching dishonesty—it’s about understanding choices. Autistic people deserve the tools to decide for themselves what feels right, instead of being shamed for “rigidity.” 👉 Watch the full conversation to gain new perspective on honesty, flexibility, and the freedom of choice. Making Sense of Autism was founded by Susan Golubock, an autistic retired Occupational Therapist, whose lifelong passion has been understanding the brain. Together with Staci Neustadt, a Neurodivergent Speech-Language Pathologist and parent coach, we bring both professional expertise and lived experience to reframe how autism is understood and supported. We believe autism is not something to “fix”—it’s something to understand. By learning how autistic brains process, communicate, and connect, you can create stronger relationships and supportive environments at home, in schools, and in therapy. Subscribe to join our community and start making sense of autism—through understanding, compassion, and connection. For more information, please subscribe, watch our informative videos, and go to https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ For our free course on Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework, go here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.facebook.com/making.sense.of.autism https://www.pinterest.com/makingsenseofautism/