Something about the phrase “functional play” really gets to me. 

What is the function of play?? 

Play = what is fun for the child! 

So why do we get to decide what’s fun for a child?

I know a lot of times we think we are helping them to be more flexible and develop their “functional play”. 

But...

We’re really missing the mark for our Autistic kids. 

It’s time to stop saying we don’t know any better…

We KNOW that not accepting people for who they are is emotionally damaging. 

We KNOW that telling people it’s not ok to be themselves is emotionally damaging. 

We KNOW that making kids feel l...

It’s time. 

I’m going to talk about something everyone wants to hear about but nobody wants to talk about. 

I’m going to talk about behavioral therapy. 

And let me start by saying that this is a no shame, no blame zone. 

Because you may not know this about me, but I used to be a behavioral thera...

The term "neurodiversity affirming" has become such a buzzword. 

Therapists are claiming that they are providing neurodiversity affirming care. 

And maybe that is you…

But are you actually ND Affirming?

There is a difference between holding a belief and utilizing an approach. 

In order to be tr...

What does it mean for our goals to be neurodiversity affirming?

Neurodiveristy affirming goals should NOT aim to make a child appear less Autistic or make the child “fit in” aka look more neurotypical.

Neurodiveristy affirming goals should support the child’s language, wellbeing, and social intera...