Affect Autism

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

Returning guest, Licensed Professional Counsellor and  DIR Expert Training Leader, Mike Fields from Floortime Atlanta and Inneractions Therapy Services, joins us this week to discuss how we want to be creating opportunities for our children in Floortime rather than stealing opportunities from them.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2021/06/26/opportunities/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 this episode, Turkish DIR® Expert Training Leader, speech-language pathologist, and physiotherapist Kemal Colay shares his theoretical framework integrating valence and arousal within a DIR®-informed approach to support connection in his work with children, and how he uses video review as a reflective tool to support parents in recognizing and responding to their child’s unique cues in order to facilitate developmental growth.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/04/03/video-review/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/

Brookes Barrack⁠ is a Speech-Language Pathologist and ⁠DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader⁠ who has a clinic just outside of Kansas City, Kansas with Occupational Therapist ⁠Emily Tritz⁠ called ⁠Kansas City Developmental Therapies⁠ where they offer ⁠DIR® services⁠. This summer they became an official ⁠accredited DIR® Organization⁠. She originally trained in Floortime at "the Bunker" with Drs. Greenspan and Wieder in Washington, D.C. and in ⁠the PLAY Project⁠ with Dr. Rick Solomon at his home. This episode we are discussing Gestural development : The D, the I, and the R.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2024/09/27/gestures/⁠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/

Çiğdem Ergül and Elif Akat are the pioneers of DIRFloortime® in Turkey. Both dedicated DIR® clinicians and Expert Training Leaders, they started at different times at ICDL’s DIR® Institute "back in the day" with Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder. They are deeply committed to preserving the integrity of the DIR® model and upholding the high quality of training and practice that shaped their professional journeys and enables them to serve families in their care. This episode, they share their stories.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/03/20/turkey/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/

Every other week in 2026 so far, you've been hearing the audio only of one episode of the Floortime documentary, We Chose Play. This time it's Season 1, Episode 6, called, "Let's reflect" where you see an example of reviewing a Floortime video with a Floortime coach to highlight the reflection process.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/03/13/wcp-s1e6/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/

On Episode 9 of ⁠AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠ interview Turrell's younger sister, Breanne!Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠Timestamps:00:14 Introductions01:28 Turrell's first question for his sister02:27 What Breanne loved about Turrell03:10 Turrell and his sister's schooling04:45 Breanne's sense of patience, caring, and concern for others05:20 What the siblings bonded over06:40 Did Breanne feel like the big sister instead?07:40 What Breanne loves about Turrell07:57 Turrell's self doubts08:13 Turrell asks his sister about making friends10:34 Turrell asks his sister about the impact he's had on her life12:58 Daria's reaction and question for Breanne about the family culture around the Autism diagnosis17:21 Daria asks Turrell if he ever felt shame around his diagnosis20:17 Turrell felt underestimated21:05 Turrell asks his sister what lesson she learned from him22:19 Breanne discusses Turrell's growth23:59 Autism and black-and-white thi

Princess Owens is parenting educator, writer, and mindfulness facilitator whose work uplifts neurodivergent families with compassion and intention. As the founder and lead consultant of Bloom Village Co., she helps family-serving organizations build more inclusive, culturally grounded, and community-centered spaces. A dedicated neurodiversity advocate and mother of five, she brings real-life insight, heart, and expertise to every conversation. Based in New Jersey, Princess blends mindful parenting, storytelling, and lived experience to guide others toward more supportive and human-centered care for children and families.Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/03/06/bloom-village/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/

Every other week in 2026 so far, you've been hearing the audio only of one episode of the Floortime documentary,  ⁠We Chose Play⁠. This time it's Season 1, Episode 5, called, "Let's play!" that includes examples of our early experiences doing Floortime⁠. ⁠⁠We Chose Play⁠ is a series documenting one family’s Floortime 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/2026/02/27/wcp-s1e5/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's guest is Krithika, a Northern California mom to an 11-year-old Autistic son, who discovered DIRFloortime® after years of traditional therapy led to more frustration than progress. That shift changed everything. Now she is a passionate advocate for her son and a connector for other families, supporting parents through social groups and serving on a community advisory board to help improve systems of care for neurodivergent children and their families and shares her journey 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/2026/02/20/pp-13/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/

Every other week in 2026 so far, you've been hearing the audio only of one episode of the Floortime documentary,  We Chose Play. This time it's Season 1, Episode 4, called, "Let's start" that covers looking at your child’s individual profile to inform your play and features DIR-Expert and Occupational Therapist Gretchen Kamke. ⁠We Chose Play is a series documenting one family’s Floortime 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/2026/02/13/wcp-s1e4/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/⁠

On Episode 8 of ⁠AUTISTIC Viewpoints⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Turrell Burgess⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Daria Brown⁠⁠⁠⁠ take a deep dive into one of their favourite bands, Nirvana.Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/⁠Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:58 This episode's topic 01:58 Turrell's favourite Nirvana album02:31 How Daria heard about Nirvana03:59 Daria's favourite Nirvana album04:09 Turrell's favourite Nirvana songs05:14 Daria's favourite Nirvana songs06:52 Nirvana's allure and protest art10:05 Turrell's reflections12:08 Neurodivergence in Nirvana lyrics16:41 Nirvana's impact on the world18:00 Daria's regret19:10 Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters19:32 Kurt Cobain was a better singer than Celine Dion20:22 Our favourite Nirvana lyrics24:16 Nirvana's Unplugged performance27:43 Dark hours where demons creep in 28:36 Our favourite musical parts of Nirvana songs31:11 Kurt is untouchable for Gen X31:25 Dave Grohl's success after Nirvana32:48 Nirvana's legacy33:13 Wrap-Up* Thank

In this episode, number 305, I interview DIR® Expert Training Leader and Occupational Therapist Maude Le Roux who has a DIR® clinic, A Total Approach, in Glen Mills, PA. She has her own online academy where she trains professionals and parents and recently launched a fabulous new Family Support Circle. She is an international trainer in many other modalities as well. We are discussing the importance of daily movement. Why should we move with our kids every day? How should we do the movements with interaction for sensory integration and motor planning?Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2026/02/06/movement/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/