VIDEOS

Feeling overwhelmed in a moment of frustration—whether you're a parent, therapist, or teacher? You're not alone. In this video, Staci Neustadt, a speech-language pathologist and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, teams up with Susan Golubock, a retired autistic occupational therapist, to explore what it means to co-regulate instead of trying to “hold it together” alone. We dive into: Why hiding your own frustration doesn't work How to name the moment with “Uh-oh, we have a problem” Using a shared calming plan before things escalate The importance of mutual regulation in safe, supportive relationships Real examples of dysregulation (like throwing) and how to shift from chaos to calm—together This episode is packed with mindset shifts, practical tools (including a free Balanced Arousal Form), and honest reflections that will help you show up with compassion—for yourself and the person you're supporting. https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/balance-arousal 💜 You matter too. Your emotions are valid. Let's make space for both of you to feel safe and supported. 👇 Grab the Balanced Arousal Form here: https://www.makingsenseofautism.com/balance-arousal 🎧 Subscribe to join us each week for more neuro-affirming support! #autism #neuroaffirming #coregulation #slp #ot #parentingneurodivergence #makingSenseOfAutism 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://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/

Some people crave change. Some avoid it at all costs. Others need time—or predictability—to warm up to it. In this episode, Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, sits down with retired autistic OT Susan Golubock to explore what happens when there is CHANGE—and how understanding the autistic brain can help all of us navigate change with more compassion and clarity. You’ll learn: 🔹 To think about how you view change 🔹 Why autistic individuals often need time, predictability, and choice 🔹 How flexible teaching and problem-solving build confidence 🔹 What to do when your instinct (or someone else’s) is to say “No!” to change Whether you're a parent, therapist, teacher, or simply someone trying to grow, this episode helps you better understand your own relationship with change—and how to support others in theirs. ✨ Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When we honor both stability and growth, change becomes possible for everyone. 🧠 Subscribe for weekly insight into how we can better support neurodivergent and neurotypical brains—by understanding, not fixing. 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://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/

Have you ever wondered why an autistic child or client can do something one day—but not the next? You're not alone. In this episode, Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, is joined by Susan Golubock, a retired autistic Occupational Therapist, to unpack the real reasons behind this common frustration. Together, they explain how memory, motor planning, and sensory regulation affect the ability to retrieve and repeat actions—even those just learned. Susan shares powerful insights from her lived experience, and Staci offers practical strategies like visual modeling, imitation, and co-regulation support. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or therapist, this video will help you shift from seeing inconsistency as defiance to recognizing the neurological realities behind it—and how to compassionately support learning and growth. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights that help you move from fixing to understanding autism. 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://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 people think they understand autism, but without truly seeing the world through an autistic perspective, misconceptions and ineffective supports persist. In this video, Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, autistic retired OT, break down why understanding autistic neurology is essential. They discuss: ✅ How the autistic brain processes information differently ✅ Why behavior is often misunderstood due to neurotypical reasoning ✅ The impact of social expectations on autistic individuals ✅ How professionals and parents can better support autistics through a Neuro-Strengths-Based approach If you're a therapist, teacher, or parent looking to truly support rather than fix, this conversation will transform your perspective. 🔹 Sign up for our course: Understanding Autistic Strengths and Differences – launching April 8th! www.makingsenseofautism.com/understanding-autism 🔹 Get our free guide: 5 Simple Strategies to Leverage Autistic Strengths www.makingsenseofautism.com/5simplestrategies 📩 Subscribe for more insights on neuro-affirming support! 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://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/

Is your autistic child or student really “just trying to get attention”? Or is there something deeper happening? 🤔 In this powerful conversation, Susan Golubock (autistic OT) and Staci Neustadt (SLP & parent coach) uncover the real reasons behind so-called "attention-seeking" behaviors—and what autistic individuals are actually communicating. You’ll learn: ✅ Why behaviors like dragging a hand on the wall, knocking things over, or pushing someone aren’t about “acting out” ✅ How sensory needs and self-regulation play a HUGE role in these behaviors ✅ What parents, teachers, and therapists can do to support—not suppress—autistic individuals ✅ Simple, neuro-affirming strategies to help meet sensory and communication needs ⚡ Stop misinterpreting autistic behaviors—start understanding them! 🔔 Subscribe for weekly videos on autism support, connection, and neuro-affirming strategies! #AutismSupport #Neurodiversity #AutisticCommunication #ParentingAutism #AutismTherapy #SpeechTherapy #UnderstandingAutism 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://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 autistic "behaviors" really just misunderstood communication? In this eye-opening conversation, Staci Neustadt, SLP and CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, an autistic retired occupational therapist, break down how non-verbal communication plays a crucial role in understanding autistic individuals. 🔍 What You'll Learn: ✅ Why traditional behavior management strategies often fail ✅ How stress impacts an autistic person's ability to use verbal language ✅ Simple, effective strategies to support self-regulation and communication ✅ How to shift from correcting "behaviors" to understanding needs This neuro-affirming framework will help parents, educators, and therapists build stronger connections while reducing distress and meltdowns. Want to learn more? Register for our webinar "Interpreting Autistic Behaviors" https://making-sense-of-autism.thinkific.com/products/live_events/interpreting-autistic-behaviors 💜 Like, comment, and subscribe for more content on neuro-affirming autism support! #Autism #Neurodiversity #BehaviorVsCommunication #AutisticVoices #SensoryProcessing 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://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 does love mean from an autistic perspective? In this conversation, Staci Neustadt, SLP, and Susan Golucock, autistic retired OT, explore how autistic individuals experience, express, and understand love differently. 💡 Topics Covered: ✔️ Why saying "I love you" may not hold the same meaning for autistics ✔️ The importance of meeting autistic needs to create deep connections ✔️ Misconceptions about autistic love languages and affection ✔️ How non-autistics can recognize and appreciate autistic expressions of love ✔️ The power of direct communication in relationships Understanding and honoring these differences leads to deeper connections and stronger relationships. 💜 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on neuro-affirming autism support! #AutismAwareness #AutisticLove #Neurodiversity #UnderstandingAutism #MakingSenseOfAutism #AutismAcceptance 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://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 we truly recognizing autistic strengths, or are we misinterpreting them through a neurotypical lens? In this conversation, Staci Neustadt, SLP & CEO of Making Sense of Autism, and Susan Golubock, an autistic retired OT, break down the 4 key categories that shift our understanding of autism: ✅ Strengths – More than just what someone is good at ✅ Potential Strengths – What they are motivated to learn ✅ Barriers – What gets in the way of success ✅ Triggers – What causes reactions, not just responses Discover how rethinking strengths, barriers, and motivation can transform the way we support autistic individuals in therapy, education, and daily life. If you're a therapist, teacher, or parent, this is a must-watch! 👉 Drop a comment below with questions about your students or clients, and we’ll help you apply these ideas! #AutismStrengths #NeuroStrengths #AutismEducation #SLP #OccupationalTherapy #Neurodiversity #AutisticSupport 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://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/

In this video, Sue introduces the concept of the "Just Right Zone" for learning, a practical and affirming approach that encourages autistic individuals to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. By setting achievable yet challenging goals using the "3 out of 5 rule," Sue explains how to create a balance between effort and success, fostering independence, self-awareness, and intrinsic motivation. The discussion also covers the importance of visual supports, concrete examples, and sensory feedback in learning. Perfect for professionals and parents looking to empower autistic learners through neuro-affirming strategies. Download the form now: www.makingsenseofautism.com/just-right-learning 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://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/