VIDEOS

How do you help autistic clients stay regulated during therapy? If you've ever wondered why one therapy session goes beautifully while the next ends in dysregulation, this video is for you. In this conversation, speech-language pathologist Staci Neustadt and autistic occupational therapist Susan Golubock share the three neuro-affirming strategies they use in every therapy session to help autistic clients feel safe, engaged, and ready to learn. You'll discover: ✅ Why regulation begins before the therapy session starts ✅ A simple check-in that helps clients advocate for what they need ✅ How predictable structure supports regulation without becoming rigid ✅ Why feedback and feedforward strengthen learning, confidence, and self-awareness Rather than focusing on managing meltdowns after they happen, you'll learn how to intentionally create therapy sessions that help prevent dysregulation while honoring autistic strengths, communication, sensory needs, and autonomy. Whether you're a speech-language pathologist (SLP), occupational therapist (OT), physical therapist (PT), psychologist, teacher, or other professional supporting autistic individuals, these strategies can be implemented in your very next session. 📥 FREE Working Agreement Visual Download the visual we use in our therapy sessions: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/give-and-take 🔔 Subscribe for weekly neuro-affirming autism resources, therapy strategies, and practical tools: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6bdTiPSoD-ECoTlrNzsyhg 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/

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/

Discover how to create a neuro-affirming assessment by understanding neurology and providing a safe environment. We explore barriers, focus on strengths, and discuss practical language for effective communication. Learn about our upcoming social communication profile. 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 to understand why clients struggle after evaluations? Discover how therapists can move beyond diagnostic labels to truly understand individuals. We explore child-led approaches and the importance of client-led discovery for effective support. 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/

Most assessments used to qualify autistic individuals for services were never standardized on autistic people — and on top of that, they're built to measure deficits, not understanding. In this conversation, speech-language pathologist Staci Neustadt sits down with Susan Golubock, a retired occupational therapist who discovered her own autism while working with autistic clients. Together, they break down what's missing from traditional autism evaluations — and how clinicians can shift toward a neuro-strengths-based approach without sacrificing the standardized data insurance requires. You'll learn: • Why standardized assessments weren't built for the autistic population — and what that means for the results you get • How to reframe deficits as barriers without changing your data • What "potential strengths" are, and why they should drive your goals • How to write goals that build confidence instead of repeating failure • Why the language in your report shapes how others see autism long after they put it down This episode is for speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and any clinician who has ever finished an assessment with more questions than answers. Watch our $17 course today! Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-in-autism 🔔 Subscribe for weekly strengths-based strategies and insights from the autistic perspective. 🌐 Free tools and resources: makingsenseofautism.com #NeuroaffirmingAssessment #AutismAssessment #StrengthsBasedTherapy #SpeechLanguagePathology #OccupationalTherapy #AutisticPerspective #NeurodivergentAffirming 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/

Have you ever administered the CELF Pragmatics Checklist, received low scores, and immediately felt stuck? As speech-language pathologists, we're often expected to write goals based on assessment results. But when working with autistic students, many therapists want to avoid goals that teach masking, compliance, or neurotypical social behaviors simply because they appeared on a checklist. So what do we do when the score is low? In this conversation, speech-language pathologist Staci Neustadt and autistic occupational therapist Susan Golubock explore what the CELF Pragmatics Checklist may be telling us, what it may be missing, and how to create neuro-affirming goals that focus on understanding barriers rather than changing autistic traits. We discuss: ✔ What the CELF Pragmatics Checklist is actually measuring ✔ Why low scores don't always mean a social communication deficit ✔ How anxiety, sensory differences, masking, and processing demands impact performance ✔ The difference between social communication differences and social communication challenges ✔ Why behavior alone doesn't tell us the whole story ✔ Questions SLPs should ask before writing social communication goals ✔ How to create more neuro-affirming assessment recommendations If you've ever thought, "I know their scores, but I still don't understand them," this conversation is for you. 🎁 FREE RESOURCE: 8 Social Communication Behaviors You Might Observe and What They Mean https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/social-skills This free guide helps SLPs and other professionals move beyond observable behaviors to better understand the underlying strengths, barriers, and supports autistic students may need. At Making Sense of Autism, we teach professionals how the autistic brain experiences the world so they can provide more effective, neuro-affirming support and assessment. #CELFPragmaticsChecklist #AutismAssessment #SocialCommunication #SpeechTherapy #SLP #NeuroAffirming #AutisticStudents #PragmaticLanguage #SchoolSLP #AutismSupport Ready to learn more and make a real shift? Our $17 course, Changing To A Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework can start today: 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/

Have you ever finished an autism evaluation and thought: "I know what this student struggles with, but I still don't understand why?" You're not alone. Many standardized assessments tell us whether an autistic student can or cannot perform a skill, but they rarely explain the barriers, supports, sensory needs, processing differences, or emerging strengths that impact performance. In this conversation, Speech-Language Pathologist Staci Neustadt and autistic Occupational Therapist Susan Golubock discuss: ✔ Why standardized scores often leave therapists with more questions than answers ✔ The biggest thing most autism assessments miss ✔ How to identify strengths, emerging strengths, barriers, and triggers ✔ Why goals should focus on readiness instead of deficits ✔ How to write more neuro-affirming goals and recommendations ✔ Why autistic individuals may perform skills inconsistently ✔ How understanding neurology changes assessment and intervention If you're an SLP, OT, PT, psychologist, or educator supporting autistic individuals, this conversation will help you move beyond test scores and begin understanding the whole person. 🎁 Free Neuro-Affirming Resources: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/ #AutismAssessment #NeuroAffirming #AutismEvaluation #SpeechTherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SLP #AutismSupport #SocialCommunication #SpecialEducation #AutisticStudents 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 $17 course, 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/

Discover how body awareness profoundly impacts social connection, especially for autistic individuals. We explore the neurological differences that make conscious effort necessary for basic bodily functions, freeing up mental energy for social engagement. Most autism content tells you what to change. We're here to help you understand. Every episode offers a neuro-strengths-first perspective on autism — grounded in both clinical expertise and lived autistic experience. For parents, educators, and professionals who want to move from managing behavior to building real connection. 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. 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 $17 course, 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/

Explore the challenges and strategies behind autistic social communication. We delve into body awareness, sensory input, and the importance of safety, regulation, and connection for successful interactions. Learn how sensory seeking helps maintain body presence. Most autism content tells you what to change. We're here to help you understand. Every episode offers a neuro-strengths-first perspective on autism — grounded in both clinical expertise and lived autistic experience. For parents, educators, and professionals who want to move from managing behavior to building real connection. 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. 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 $17 course, 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/