Affect Autism

This episode I’m pleased to welcome DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader, Helen Groth, as my guest to discuss the dynamic process of transitions in autism. Helen gave a fabulous presentation on transitions at the that I took so much away from and I am so excited to welcome her this week to share her presentation material with us!Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2023/01/21/transitions/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/⁠

Dr. Ira Glovinsky is a clinical psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan who has primarily worked with children with severe mood This episode, we discuss some important holes in clinical practice, how to notice them, and what we can do about them. with two returning guests to the podcast. Dr. Ira Glovinsky is a clinical psychologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan who has primarily worked with children with severe mood disorders. He engages in many other research endeavors and has authored many publications. Daniela Bishop is a registered nurse who is the parent of a child with a complex developmental profile.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/09/04/how-do-you-know/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 song permission

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.Can DIRFloortime® help autistic adults, too?In this final episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by clinical developmental psychologist and DIRFloortime® Expert and Training Leader Dr. Kathy Platzman to explore how the DIR® model can support autistic adults, late-diagnosed individuals, and anyone seeking greater self-understanding, self-advocacy, and emotional growth. Together, they discuss how DIRFloortime® extends far beyond childhood intervention. Rather than focusing on deficits, the model emphasizes relationships, individual differences, strengths, and human development across the lifespan. Dr. Platzman explains how DIR’s developmental framework can help adults better understand their sensory profiles, emotional regulation needs

AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a podcast hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. On Episode 14, Turrell and Daria interview Jacob Raphael on the occasion of the release of "Miracle of the Heart" co-written with his father. Jacob shares his experience growing up autistic, his struggles with his identity, plans for his future writing projects, and more.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Timestamps:00:14 Introductions01:00 "A Miracle of the Heart" book and what inspired Jacob to be a part of it02:29 Daria's response including how autistic development is different05:09 Daria's question to Jacob of what he's learned from the experience and his response05:52 One critique Jacob received about his writing in the book06:18 Jacob's story about the suggestion of coming out as autistic in high school06:38 Jacob's writing practices06:57 Jacob's writing question for Turrell and Turrell's response08:05 Turrell asks Jac

An autism approach can only be as good as its implementation. To implement a developmental approach with integrity, such as DIRFloortime®, the basic concepts of focus on development over behaviour, accepting all behaviour as communication, attuning yourself to the child, and learning through play-based interactions within the context of a safe, warm, and nurturing relationship are practiced throughout the day, everyday.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2017/08/08/the-implementation/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/⁠

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.How does DIRFloortime® meet autistic needs in a neurodiversity-affirming way?In this third episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by autistic self-advocate, researcher, and ICDL Board President Dr. Emile Gouws to explore how the DIR® model aligns with autistic lived experience and why relationships, respect, and understanding are essential for meaningful development. Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a nonspeaking autistic child, Emile shares the challenges of being viewed through a medical-model lens, the trauma of compliance-based interventions, and the profound impact of finally being seen, understood, and supported through a relationship-based approach. Together, Daria and Emile discuss how DIRFloortime® differs from a

This episode, returning guest Occupational Therapist Stephanie Peters, DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader and Clinical Director with Kinder Growth, discusses the developmental considerations around sharing.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2024/03/01/sharing/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/

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.What does DIRFloortime® actually feel like from the perspective of an autistic person?In this second episode of Rethinking Autism Therapy, Daria Brown is joined by autistic musician Cheyenne Erikson to explore what it was like growing up with situational mutism, anxiety, and an undiagnosed autistic neurotype, and how a relationship-based, developmental approach helped her feel understood and supported. Cheyenne shares her personal journey from an early diagnosis of situational mutism to discovering her autistic identity as a young adult. Together, she and Daria discuss how DIRFloortime’s emphasis on relationships, individual differences, play, and emotional connection contrasts with more directive or compliance-based approaches. Through stories from childhood, teaching,

Setting limits with development in mind with children who have developmental differences, including autism, means being firm with compassion, warmth, empathy and respect. Being attuned to our children's emotional experience is the key to seeing their behaviour as communication, which will help us be a helpful, empathic guide rather than a dictator around disruptive behaviour.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2016/03/29/setting-limits/⁠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/⁠

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection.Hosted by Daria Brown, each episode features a different co-host to explore what DIRFloortime® is, what it's like to experience it, why it meets Autistic needs, and how to decide whether it's the right approach for you. Together, they share practical insights and tools for building meaningful connection and supporting social-emotional development in ways that honour each autistic individual.Through conversations with practitioners, parents, and autistic voices, the series offers an accessible introduction to the DIRFloortime® framework while exploring the role of relationships, play, and connection in supporting autistic development.RSS Feed player - https://shows.acast.com/autistic-culture/episodes/rethinking-autism-therapy-what-is-dirfloortime-with-l-mike-fApp

David Raphael is a social worker and was the co-founder of the former Floortime Foundation, a national organization advancing relationship-based interventions. He is here to discuss his first book, A Miracle of the Heart: A Father and Son’s Autism Journey, co-written with his son Jacob and published on July 1 of this year. He has published essays on his family’s experience of autism in the peer-reviewed Zero to Three journal, and has delivered keynote presentations at national gatherings of autism professionals, educators, and parents, and has met with multiple parent groups on autism advocacy, DIRFloortime®, and finding meaning through caregiving. Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2026/08/07/miracle-of-the-heart/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/

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