VIDEOS

This video explains why visual schedules are effective for autistic individuals, addressing misconceptions and offering solutions for when they seem to fail. 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/

This video explains the importance of visual schedules for autistic individuals, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and flexible approach. [03:43-03:51] Sue explains that she needs a single, comprehensive visual schedule that includes everything she needs to do, wants to do, and reminders, using colors to categorize tasks. Sue, when you hear someone say visual schedules don't work for autistic kids, what goes through your mind? 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/

Do visual schedules really work for autistic individuals—or are they being misunderstood? In this video, we explore a common statement: “Visual schedules don’t work for autistic kids.” Instead of debating it, we get curious—and uncover what’s actually happening beneath the surface. ✨ Here’s the truth: Visual schedules don’t fail autistic individuals…they often fail when they’re used for control instead of collaboration. In this conversation, we break down: Why visual schedules can support predictability, safety, and regulation What goes wrong when schedules are used as compliance tools How to turn a schedule into a shared plan instead of a demand Ways to support flexibility and problem-solving when plans change Simple strategies you can start using today at home or in the classroom Whether you're a parent, teacher, therapist, or someone wanting to better understand autism, this video will help you shift from expectation → partnership. 💡 Because when autistic individuals feel: safe understood included They become more willing to: engage participate try 👉 Not because they were told to… …but because the environment supports them. 🔹 Try This Today Take 5 minutes to create a shared schedule with your child or student: You pick one activity They pick one activity Solve problems together Build flexibility together 🔹 Want More Support? ✔️ Subscribe for weekly videos on understanding autism ✔️ Visit: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com ✔️ Explore upcoming trainings & tools 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/

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/

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/

Does neuroaffirming support mean accepting every behavior? Not exactly — and this conversation explains why. In this episode, Speech Language Pathologist, Staci Neustadt, and autistic retired Occupational Therapist, Susan Golubock unpack one of the most misunderstood ideas in autism support: that behavior is communication. That doesn't mean unsafe or challenging behavior gets ignored — it means we have to understand the need behind it before we can help. Susan shares what it was like growing up autistic and what she actually needed — not praise for compliance, but someone who recognized how hard she was working. That perspective changes everything for parents, teachers, and therapists. In this conversation, you'll learn: -Why autistic individuals act on feelings rather than talking about them -How to identify the unmet need behind challenging behavior -Why processing time is one of the most important supports you can offer -How to introduce alternative communication after meeting the need first -The difference between understanding behavior and excusing it -How shared vulnerability builds real social connection with autistic individuals This video is for: parents, special education teachers, SLPs, OTs, BCBAs, therapists, and anyone supporting autistic children or adults who want to move from behavior management to genuine connection. 🔗 Visit us: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations that help you understand the autistic brain — without trying to fix it. #AutismBehavior #NeuroaffirmingSupport #BehaviorIsCommunication #AutismParenting #AutismEducation #SpeechTherapy #OccupationalTherapy #MakingSenseOfAutism #AutisticAdult #AAC #UnmetNeeds #AutismSupport #NeurodiversityAffirming #AutismTeacher #SLP 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 students have experienced trauma, yet schools often respond with discipline instead of empathy. What if we paused and tried an empathy approach first? #autisticchild #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/

Autistic students experience trauma at significantly higher rates than their peers. Research shows that 60–65% of students report at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and studies estimate that 70–90% of autistic individuals report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. So why are we still leading with compliance instead of empathy? In this video, Speech-Language Pathologist Staci Neustadt and autistic retired Occupational Therapist Susan Golubock discuss what an “empathy approach” really means in schools — especially when supporting autistic students with trauma histories. We explore: Why empathy is not permissive The difference between discipline and co-regulation How trauma impacts behavior Why autistic students are often misunderstood How to set boundaries while still leading with empathy The connection between safety, regulation, and learning Empathy does not lower expectations. It aligns expectations with neurology. If you're a parent, therapist, teacher, or school administrator wanting trauma-informed, neuro-affirming support for autistic students, this conversation is for you. 👇 Reflection Question: When a student escalates, do you respond with compliance — or curiosity? 📩 We provide professional development trainings for schools shifting from behavior-first responses to empathy-informed support. If you’d like information about bringing this training to your district, visit: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/training 🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos on autism, regulation, trauma-informed support, and neuro-affirming practices. 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 an SLP, OT, teacher, psychologist, PT, or school professional who feels stuck after completing an assessment with an autistic client or student? Have you ever written goals that don’t generalize… Seen skills appear in testing but disappear in real life… Or wondered why progress stalls despite your best efforts? In this video, we explain how a Neuro-Strengths-Based Autism Assessment provides a holistic, cross-disciplinary framework that works for: ✔ Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) ✔ Occupational Therapists (OTs) ✔ Physical Therapists (PTs) ✔ Teachers & Special Educators ✔ School Psychologists ✔ Related service providers ✔ Parents This assessment framework looks at: • Strengths • Potential strengths • Stressors & triggers • Sensory processing differences • Self-awareness & regulation • Communication (verbal & non-verbal) • Executive functioning • Soft skills development • How the autistic brain learns Instead of comparing a child to neurotypical norms, this approach helps you understand: → How this individual processes information → What foundations may need strengthening → Why skills don’t always generalize → How sensory regulation impacts communication → How self-awareness supports social development → What supports truly help This video is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly discussions on neuro-affirming autism support Our FREE webinar held on February 25th and February 27th is open. Choose the date that works for you! https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/what-assessments-miss 📅 Our Neuro-Strengths-Based Assessment Course opens periodically — check the link below https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/neuro-strengths-assessments 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/