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In this episode we chat with fellow speech pathologists Carla and Jamima from The Happy Space Allied Health about evidence-based early intervention, language intervention, their intervention tool the Game of Language Abilities (GOLA), Intensive Interaction for minimally verbal children and much more. To access the GOLA: https://www.thehappyspacealliedhealth.com/the-game-of-language-abilities For a free webinar on Intensive Interaction: https://www.thehappyspacealliedhealth.com/intensive-interaction Carla and Jamima's podcast Talking Without Words: https://www.thehappyspacealliedhealth.com/podcast To find out more about The Happy Space: https://www.thehappyspacealliedhealth.com/ #autism #dld #language

Lucia and Sarah explore the phenomena of "maxxing" and how it can be applied to improving quality of life for neurodivergent people. Key references LaPoint SC, Kiernan B, Heinly J, Hector BL, Benevides TW, Maddox B. Quality of Life Defined by Autistic People: A Thematic Analysis. Autism in Adulthood. 2026;8(4):664-676. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2024.0180Mason, D., McConachie, H., Garland, D., Petrou, A., Rodgers, J. and Parr, J.R. (2018), Predictors of quality of life for autistic adults. Autism Research, 11: 1138-1147. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1965

In this episode we look at why people have different accents, understanding speech diversity and when a speech pathologist might get involved. Clark, E. L., Easton, C., & Verdon, S. (2021). The impact of linguistic bias upon speech-language pathologists' attitudes towards non-standard dialects of English. Clinical linguistics & phonetics, 35(6), 542–559. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699206.2020.1803405  Easton, C., & Verdon, S. (2021). The Influence of Linguistic Bias Upon Speech-Language Pathologists' Attitudes Toward Clinical Scenarios Involving Nonstandard Dialects of English. American journal of speech-language pathology, 30(5), 1973–1989. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_AJSLP-20-00382  Verdon, S., McLeod, S., & Wong, S. (2015). Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse children with speech, language and communication needs: Overarching principles, individual approaches. Journal of communication disorders, 58, 74–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2015.10.002

In this episode we explore the pure joy and peace that comes from engaging in special interests. Neurodivergent people often have special interests which were formerly referred to as "obsessions". We talk about neuroaffirming approaches to supporting special interests and share some special interests of our own. #autism #adhd #audhd Key references Anthony, L. G., Kenworthy, L., Yerys, B. E., Jankowski, K. F., James, J. D., Harms, M. B., … Wallace, G. L. (2013). Interests in high-functioning autism are more intense, interfering, and idiosyncratic than those in neurotypical development. Development and Psychopathology, 25(3), 643–652. doi:10.1017/S0954579413000072 Brown, C. E., Bernardin, C. J., Beauchamp, M. T., Kanne, S. M., & Nowell, K. P. (2024). More similar than different: Characterizing special interests in autistic boys and girls based on caregiver report. Autism Research, 17(11), 2333–2345. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3216 Grove, R., Hoekstra, R. A., Wierda, M., & Begeer, S. (2018). Special interests and subjective wellbeing in autistic adults. Autism research : Official journal of the International Society for Autism Research, 11(5), 766–775. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.1931

Early intervention is so important! But have you ever wondered how to spot the earliest signs of communication delay and neurodivergence? We've got you covered! In this episode we talk about early signs of developmental language disorder (DLD) and Autism, ADHD, and other communication needs. These helpful tips will let you know when its time to see a speech pathologists. #SLP We also talk about easy, free techniques you can use to support early communication whether a child has additional needs or not.

In this episode we look at everything you need to know about supporting a young person who is experiencing periods. We also talk about how PMS and PMDD can present in neurodivergent individuals and what can help based on our own experiences and the latest literature. Periods are tough on everyone, but the experience is especially unique for people with ADHD, Autism, Anxiety and Depression. We hope this episode can help you navigate these challenges and identify some avenues to make them more manageable.

In this episode we chat to everyone's favourite speechie, Dr Carol Westby to learn all about her research and practice with children especially neurodivergent children, multilingual children and children who have experienced trauma. Carol talks about the power of narratives in assessment and intervention when learning about children's language abilities and supporting them to improve their communication skills. Personal narratives are a powerful tool for all children to share their world view, especially those who are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic or otherwise neurodivergent. #child #language #speech #slp #speechpathology #autism #neurodiversity

In this episode we talk with soon to be Dr Josephine Ohenewa Bampoe about the tool she has created to assess multilingual children in Ghana. We talk about why assessing multilingual children can be challenging and what we need to consider when making a differential diagnosis. Josephine also discusses the process of creating a culturally and linguistically tool and what other people can do to support multilingual children.

In this episode we welcome special guest Jenny Nechvatal to the show. Jenny is an early childhood educator, disability inclusion advocate and mother who draws upon her lived experiences to provide support and advice for both educators and parents. Jenny has a particular interest in Autism and collaboration between parents and educators to support early identification and early intervention. You can learn more about Jenny's work here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/ You can buy Jenny's book here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/store/p/embracing-disability-in-early-childhood You can book a workshop with Jenny here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/workshops Parents of neurodivergent children can join her parenting hub here: https://innovativedisabilitysolutions.com.au/neuro-spicy-parent-hub

Speechie, SLP, speech pathologist, speech and language therapist... we go by many names but not everyone is quite sure of what we do. In this episode we give an overview of the speech pathology profession, who we work with, what we do and when you might need us. We talk about our work with speech, language, literacy, feeding, stuttering, ADHD, Autism, disability and more.

In this episode with discuss alexithymia and how this can present in children. This is common among neurodivergent people especially Autistics. We also provide lots of tips to support kids who experience this. Resources Brene Brown 87 emotions https://brenebrown.com/resources/atlas-of-the-heart-list-of-emotions/ Koppelberg, P., Kersting, A. & Suslow, T. (2023). Alexithymia and interpersonal problems in healthy young individuals. BMC Psychiatry 23, 688. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05191-z Lee, K. S., Murphy, J., Catmur, C., Bird,G., & Hobson, H. (2022). Furthering the language hypothesis of alexithymia: An integrated review and meta-analysis, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 141(1).  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104864. Oakley BFM, Jones EJH, Crawley D, et al. (2020). Alexithymia in autism: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with social-communication difficulties, anxiety and depression symptoms. Psychological Medicine, 52(8), 1458-1470. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720003244 Schroeders U, Kubera F, Gnambs T. (2022). The Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20): A Meta-Analytic Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Assessment, 29(8), 1806-1823. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911211033894

In this episode we discuss the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and to what extent we are applying these rights to the lives of children in every day contexts. We specifically discuss the nuances of talking about autonomy, control and consent with people who have communication difficulties and neurodivergent children. Resources mentioned in the podcast: https://pwd.org.au/about-us/about-disability/disability-and-human-rights/   https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights   https://www.secca.org.au/resources/sexuality-relationships-and-your-rights-resource/   https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/final-report-volume-6-enabling-autonomy-and-access   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvHHvQLwsY   https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/disability-sex-education-and-the-speech-pathologist/id1472296991?i=1000668251339

Today we talk about how important fairness and social justice is to neurodivergent people. We talk about different ways this might present in your child and supportive approaches to managing an unjust world. We also reflect on how unfathomable it is that this is seen as a deficit or sign of disorder. References Bondü, R., Esser, G. (2015). Justice and rejection sensitivity in children and adolescents with ADHD symptoms. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 24, 185–198. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-014-0560-9 Bondü R, Sahyazici-Knaak F, Esser G. (2017). Long-term associations of justice sensitivity, rejection sensitivity, and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. Frontier Psychology, 12(8), 1446. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01446 Resources https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-know-about-autism-and-justice-sensitivity-8631234 https://www.simplypsychology.org/autism-justice-sensitivity.html https://psychology.org.au/getmedia/85f586e3-a856-47f2-a306-d0568e318193/aps-burnout-community-resource.pdf https://www.mhfa.com.au/navigating-burnout/

In this episode we talk about the best ways to support a child's early communication development. If you are the parent of a young child or perhaps you are worried about your child's development and want to support them to develop their speech, language and communication skills this episode is for you! We also recommend the following links for more free support and resources. https://languagedisorder.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Early-Language-Stimulation-Strategies-Language-Disorder-Australia.pdf https://www.vic.gov.au/literacy-teaching-toolkit-early-childhood/teaching-practices-interacting-others/language https://www.rch.org.au/uploadedFiles/Main/Content/speech/200101%20Language%20Tips%20Encourage%20Language%20A4%20FSheet_FA_WEB.pdf https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/our-services/childrens-services/community-child-health/talk-me/early-language-strategies https://learninghub.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ISP-Resource-Early-Language-Development-FA-web.pdf https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/wnswlhd/services/speech-pathology

In this episode we look at how neurodivergent people's ability can be extremely different to their capacity. We discuss what this looks like for autistic and ADHDers in both childhood and adulthood and strategies to get in front of burnout using spoon theory as a conceptual model. Research links: Higgins, J. M., Arnold, S. R., Weise, J., Pellicano, E., & Trollor, J. N. (2021). Defining autistic burnout through experts by lived experience: Grounded Delphi method investigating #AutisticBurnout. Autism, 25(8), 2356-2369. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211019858 Raymaker, D. M., Teo, A. R., Steckler, N. A., Lentz, B., Scharer, M., Delos Santos, A., ... & Nicolaidis, C. (2020). “Having all of your internal resources exhausted beyond measure and being left with no clean-up crew”: Defining autistic burnout. Autism in adulthood, 2(2), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2019.0079