Affect Autism

DIR-Expert Jackie Bartell returns this episode to discuss how to provide expectations for children with developmental differences in order to foster independence and developmental progress using a ⁠Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®)⁠ approach. I present a few challenges we are currently facing at home and Jackie coaches me on how to implement some straight-forward practices to provide some relief for our family.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/2019/08/19/fostering-independence/⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/⁠

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 13, Turrell and Daria welcome extraordinary autistic guitarist Zayne Harshaw, leader of the band, Blue Spectrum, to discuss his autism journey, teaching himself guitar, discovering his musical gifts, and how music transformed his life from feeling like an outsider to finding confidence, community, and purpose. Along the way, they explore favorite guitarists, perfect pitch, improvisation, and the power of following one's passion.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:0:05 Introduction0:32 Welcoming special guest Zayne Harshaw1:01 Meeting Zayne at the ICDL DIR® Conference2:30 Zayne's musical background and accomplishments4:17 Turrell's admiration for Zayne's guitar playing4:42 Growing up autistic and discovering differences6:06 From trumpet to teaching himself guitar7:03 Guitar Hero and learning to play by ear8:38 Feeling like an outcast in s

This episode features three psychologists from Rebecca School in New York City who discuss how psychological assessments can better reflect the true abilities of neurodivergent children when viewed through a DIRFloortime® lens. They explain that traditional testing often measures a child’s ability to tolerate unfamiliar environments, demands, and sensory challenges rather than accurately capturing their cognitive strengths. Our discussion challenges long-standing assessment practices and offers a more respectful, relationship-based alternative.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/07/24/assessments/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Occupational therapist and Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) Floortime Trainer ⁠Keith Landherr of Little Buddies Pediatric Therapy⁠ in the Vancouver suburbs joins us this episode to discuss what sensory integration is and why emotional attunement and respecting the child's sensory experience is essential to it with helpful tips for parents.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/2021/02/27/sensory-integration/⁠⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support⁠

This episode we're discussing supporting regulation through the body first versus leaning on cognitive strategies to support children with pediatric occupational therapist and Advanced DIRFloortime® provider Stephanie Gagnon.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/07/10/bodyConsider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

The topic of this episode is trauma through a ⁠DIR®⁠ lens. ⁠Maude Le Roux⁠ recently did ⁠a course on this topic through the International Council on Development and Learning (ICDL)⁠ and here she covers how to work with trauma clients through the ⁠Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities⁠ (FEDCs). This complements the previous trauma-related podcast episodes I’ve done with ⁠Galina Itskovich⁠, and ⁠Erin Forward and Taylor Anderson⁠, and focuses on the ⁠DIRFloortime®⁠ aspect of the work.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/2024/08/16/trauma-dir-lens⁠⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Kieran and ⁠Michelle Rose⁠ return to the podcast to discuss their new community at The Autistic Advocate and Kieran's latest book, ⁠Autism – A Collection of Essays⁠.  They reflect on nearly a decade of advocacy, how the autism landscape has evolved, and why meaningful change depends on compassion, connection, and a willingness to keep learning.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/06/26/essays/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Alex Klein, joins us this episode from Oakland, California where he is both in private practice and works at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center assessing and providing therapy to both children and adults with neurodevelopmental differences. He trained with Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Jake Greenspan and Tim Bleecker, and also with Dr. Gil Tippy and Tina McCourt at the Rebecca School, where he was a Head Teacher and Floortime Coach before moving out west for graduate school. I invited him to share his presentation from the Rebecca School DIR® NYC Conference on Neurodiversity-Affirming Care.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠⁠⁠http://affectautism.com/2021/04/10/neurodiversity ⁠⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/⁠

⁠AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 12, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," Turrell and Daria cover Michael Jackson: the new movie, the songs, the fandom, his intersection with DIRFloortime (what?!) and a few more surprises! Enjoy our special episode on the occasions of AUTISTIC Pride (June 18) and JUNETEENTH (June 19)! We hope you like it as much as we enjoyed making it!⁠Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Timestamps:0:14 Introduction1:56 Turrell's first memories of hearing Michael Jackson2:27 Daria's first memories of hearing Michael Jackson3:07 The Jackson 53:45 Why the beginning of the movie Michael made Daria so emotional for more than one reason5:50 Turrell's reflections on the movie Michael7:05 Turrell's early experiences listening to Michael Jackson growing up7:29 Daria's real-time experiences of listening to Michael Jackson growing up8:28 The album OF

My guests this episode are Gwen and Gene Harshaw. At 4 years old their son Zayne was diagnosed with autism and his parents were told that he would never be able to read, button his shirt, zip zippers or tie his shoes, or connect with other people. His parents found strength through Zayne’s gifts instead of focusing on his weaknesses. Today, Zayne is a member of the band Blue Spectrum, which is the ICDL’s house band. The Harshaw family are autism acceptance advocates through their public speaking engagements and volunteer roles where they offer guidance, provide hope, and build families’ confidence and capacity, and a “vision of possibility.”Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/06/12/possibility/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Sometimes the biggest challenge parents have with their autistic children who have meltdowns is meeting the child emotionally and connecting. Here, we need to find the affect they’re having in that moment in order to support them to feel heard and understood. Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) Expert and Training Leader, Kasheena Holder, joins us to discuss this process of providing co-regulatory support for our children. Kasheena is a Special Education Teacher in Barbados and works with the International Council on Development and Learning. She owns a local private practice in Barbados called First Step where she supports children with neurodiversities and their families.Sad note: Kasheena passed away in December of 2024 and is fondly remembered for her generous spirit.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2022/03/26/feel/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect

Returning guest Julia Swaigen is a registered social worker in Toronto who founded and directs Attuned Families, a clinic to help families harness the power of relationships so that parents find peace and children thrive. They offer family therapy, child therapy, parent coaching, and also work with schools. Julia is here to discuss the release of her new book entitled, You Are My Home: Stories of Attunement. Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/05/29/stories-of-attunement/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

This episode falls in the month of May which is Apraxia Awareness Month. I’m pleased to welcome my friend, Brandy Jordan, the mother of a 14-year-old, non speaking, Apraxic Autistic son. She is joining us to talk about their journey.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/05/22/apraxia/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/* Thank you to Toronto recording artist Ayria for the intro/outro song permission.

In this episode, psychologist and Neufeld Institute senior faculty member Eva de Gosztonyi shares reflections from over 50 years working in schools across Canada and explains how Gordon Neufeld’s attachment-based developmental paradigm transformed her understanding of children, behaviour, emotional regulation, and learning. Eva discusses how traditional behavioral approaches often failed the children who struggled most and describes her efforts to implement relationship-based, developmental practices within Quebec’s English-speaking school systems. Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/05/15/holding-space/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/* Thank you to Mauritian American recording artists ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hallows and Artoffact Records for the background promo mus

Jackie Bartell is back with us this episode for a fantastic discussion about a concept so essential to the ⁠Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) model⁠ and ⁠Floortime⁠, and that is that we are human beings not human doings. Jackie is a retired special educator with the International Council on Development and Learning (⁠ICDL⁠) and is a ⁠DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader⁠.Link to the full blog post with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the podcast here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2018/05/21/being/⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠https://www.icdl.com/parents⁠

⁠AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 11, returning guest Khylil Robinson joins us!Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:00:13 Introductions01:27 Khylil's recent award01:46 Khylil's sentiments about being a repeat guest02:29 Setting up this episode's topics03:29 Turrell's review of their recent conference presentation04:43 Daria's comments about their presentation as an presentation attendee05:39 Khylil's reflections on their conference presentation08:34 Call out for hiring Khylil or Turrell to present online or in person, especially considering the unique experiences of young, black Autistic men09:33 How this presentation differed from past presentations11:35 Khylil's upcoming work events 15:47 Daria's reaction to Khylil's work events including incarceration16:48 Turrell's upcoming work events18:33 Daria's reaction to Turrell's work events and h

In this episode we aim to give parents and caregivers a guide for being confident enough to trust in their intuition and what they want for their children when seeking DIRFloortime® practitioners to implement a DIRFloortime® approach.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/05/01/dialogues-7/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

⁠In our last podcast episode together⁠, back in 2019, Dave Nelson and I discussed puberty and how we can best support our kids in a respectful way using a developmental approach. In this episode, we want to continue on that topic by touching on the developmental way to support our adolescents in taboo areas. Dave Nelson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader, and the Executive Administrative Director of the ⁠Threshold Community Program  in Atlanta, Georgia.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2023/02/18/adolescence/⁠Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

Occupational Therapist and DIR-Expert Maude Le Roux and homeschooling parent Daniela Bishop discuss the importance of clinical reasoning in attuning to the child by being present, staying in the moment, sitting in discomfort and uncertainty and making inferences about the child’s internal experience in order to have an essential starting point for developmental work.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/04/17/presence/Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

KW is a Licensed Professional Counselor who was identified as AuDHD in his 30s. He lives with his neurodivergent spouse and five fur-kids in Midwest-USA. He is an artist, writer, photographer, and musician. At present, he is excited to be creating his first podcast: a music deep dive show that will air on the Autistic Culture Podcast Network this summer. He shares his diagnosis journey, his passions, and the process of "unbecoming" as he unmasks.00:13 Introductions01:28 KW's diagnosis journey including suicidality and trauma from being misunderstood * Trigger Warning *04:45 KW's process of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor05:12 KW's confusion about diagnosis despite being an LPC05:28 The therapist that suggested KW should be assessed for ADHD06:43 Why KW became a counselor08:32 The necessity of unpacking your own "stuff" as a counselor09:00 How becoming a counselor was rewarding for KW10:08 KW's reflections on providing a safe space for his clients and being your authentic self11:37 KW's first sessio