This episode, number 295, DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader Kerri Ciskowski joins us to discuss different parent play personas she sees in her clientele. Kerri has been an occupational therapist for 20 years. She does in-home support in central New Jersey through her service Therapy Keeper and now has a DIRFloortime® studio as well for families who are typically raising autistic kids.
Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/11/07/parent-play-personas
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 features Clare Kumar who encourages organizations to create "neurologically safe" spaces, cultures, and experiences where their guests can move forward with ease, or "keep calm and carry on." She offers engaging, interactive keynotes and advisory services. She is the host and creator of the Happy Space Podcast - where inclusion meets design.
Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/10/17/happy-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/
AUTISTIC Viewpoints is a new podcast hosted by Turrell Burgess and Daria Brown. This episode, they discuss the Autistic Culture Podcast's 10 Pillars of Autistic Culture!Learn more at https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/Timestamps:00:32 10 Pillars of Autism03:27 Pillar 1: Bottom-Up Processing 11:34 Reference to Dr. Stephen Shore mentioning "extremes" (in this podcast episode: https://affectautism.com/2025/08/01/pda/)15:49 Pillar 2: Rhythmic Communicating22:55 Pillar 3: Norm Challenging28:43 Pillar 4: World Building36:52 Pillar 5: Pattern Matching39:19 Pillar 6: Game Changing Innovation40:07 Pillar 7: Boldly Creating42:36 Variations in support needs but still Autistic44:33 Pillar 8: Predictably Comforting48:10 Pillar 9: Justice Seeking 51:29 Pillar 10: Passionate Superfanning 56:41 Wrap-Up57:54 Kasheena MomentLinks/Resources (not endorsements; no commission was received for any of these links):
* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist Post Analog Disorder for the intro/outro music permission
This episode features a new empowering podcast called The Affirming Village Podcast. Quoted directly from the Affirming Village podcast description: The Affirming Village podcast is “a black and white neurodivergent mama duo rewriting the IEP narrative with lived experience raising neurodivergent learners. One is still deep in IEPs and school calls; the other has walked the path into adulthood. Both are non-attorney special education advocates, with years of experience, whether in the mental health field or the school system, currently helping families navigate the IEP table with clarity, compassion, and power. While training schools, organizations, and parents to create more neuroaffirming spaces for neurodivergent and disabled learners. This is where professionals meet personal and stories, strategies, and community come together.”
Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2025/10/03/the-affirming-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/
AUTISTIC Viewpoints is a new podcast hosted by Turrell Burgess and Daria Brown. Two autistics, very different, yet aligned on many values. Join their conversation by tuning in to hear their viewpoints on topics from DIR® to professional sports, food, and pop culture to neurodivergent relationships and more!
Learn more at https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and hello
00:37 Introduction to our guest, Khylil Robinson
01:35 First topic: Dealing with awkward situations
02:48 Turrell's dating mixer and football game
07:35 Meet-up experiences and Khylil's audio hyposensitivity
15:58 Driving and loud music
20:05 Board games, arcade games, bowling alleys, night clubs and socializing
29:25 10 Pillars of Autistic culture from the Autistic Culture Podcast
29:52 Food!
39:07 Ausome Ambassadors
48:38 Canada Fun Facts!
Links/Resources (not endorsements; no commission was received for any of these links):
* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist Post Analog Disorder for the intro/outro music permission
This episode features Kelly Bron Johnson in Montreal and Anne Borden King in Toronto. Kelly is a non-binary, Autistic, and Hard of Hearing (HoH) self-advocate and founder of Completely Inclusive, a social enterprise consultancy devoted to inclusion and accessibility in the workplace. Anne is the co-founder of Autistics for Autistics, Canada's autistic self-advocacy organization, and the host of Noncompliant: A Neurodiversity Podcast. Both guests are mothers of autistic teenage sons and authors. We are chatting about their journey and Canadian disability advocacy.
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/2025/09/26/action/
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 I'm airing a year-old presentation made by the late, great DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader and phenomenal educator, Kasheena Holder. I hope you will enjoy the tips she provided our DIR® Parent Network with regarding bridging the gap between home and school.
For those who knew Kasheena, this will be a wonderful reminder of her warmth, wisdom, and dedication to families. And for those hearing her for the first time, it’s a chance to be inspired by the passion and insight she so generously shared.
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/2025/09/26/school/
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, Floortimers, for the years of learning! This episode, number 290, the first episode of Season 11, features Sophia Ashman, a DIR practitioner in Los Angeles, California who currently works in preschools and provides in-home therapy. She has been a Floortimer for 25 years and was one of my son's first therapists at his school which is how we met, but we quickly became friends and I miss her tremendously and want her to move back to Canada! The philosophy that she strongly believes in is that the children she works with need to be seen, be heard, and feel understood.
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/2025/09/19/essential-floortime/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
Carolina Sosa Carrero es educadora en música, movimiento y lenguaje, con una maestría en intervención temprana y desarrollo infantil. ¡Es la primera Líder de Capacitación Experta en DIRFloortime® en Ecuador! Gaby Cabezas tiene un título en Comunicación y Literatura, además de una maestría en Lengua Inglesa. Actualmente trabaja como profesora de inglés y escribe ciencia ficción. Caro y Gaby son ambas neurodivergentes y muy entusiastas del DIRFloortime®. ¡Su objetivo es difundir DIR® al mundo hispanohablante a través del trabajo de Caro y de su nuevo pódcast, Ecos Neurodivergentes!
Enlace a la publicación completa del blog, con vínculos a los puntos clave de la conversación y otras maneras de ver o escuchar el pódcast aquí: https://affectautism.com/2025/09/12/ecuador-es/
Cuidadores: Consideren unirse a nuestra Red de Padres DIR® para recibir apoyo de una comunidad de Floortimers con intereses afines aquí: https://www.icdl.com/parents
Carolina Sosa Carrero is an educator in music, movement, and language with a Master’s degree in early intervention and child development. She is the first DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader in Ecuador! Gaby Cabezas has a Communications and Literature degree with a Master’s in English Language. She is currently working as an English teacher and writes science fiction. Caro and Gaby are both neurodivergent and very enthusiastic about DIRFloortime®! Their goal is to spread DIR® to the Spanish-speaking world through Caro’s work and their new podcast, Ecos Neurodivergentes!
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/2025/09/12/ecuador/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
AUTISTIC Viewpoints is a new podcast hosted by Turrell Burgess and Daria Brown. Two autistics, very different, yet aligned on many values. Join their conversation by tuning in to hear their viewpoints on topics from DIR® to professional sports, food, and pop culture to neurodivergent relationships and more!
Learn more at https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/
Timestamps:
00:17 Introductions
02:58 Explosion of Neurodiversity
03:48 Our Podcast Content
09:30 Our Health Issues
11:39 Canada Fun Facts
14:08 Sports
16:22 DIRFloortime®
26:12 Reflections
31:40 Podcast Dedication
37:38 Wrap-Up
Links/Resources:
Neurotribes by Steven Silberman
Turrell's past podcast with Daria
Khylil Robinson podcast episodes: Part 1 and Part 2
Kasheena's podcasts: Here and Here
* Thank you to Hungarian recording artist Post Analog Disorder for the intro/outro music permission
Here is the trailer for our upcoming podcast, AUTISTIC Viewpoints, hosted by Turrell Burgess and Daria Brown. Two autistics, very different, yet aligned on many values. Join their conversation by tuning in to hear their viewpoints on topics from DIR® to professional sports, food, and pop culture to neurodivergent relationships and more!
Learn more here: https://affectautism.com/autistic-viewpoints/
#AutismAcceptance #AutismCommunity #AutismSpectrum #AutismEducation #AutismFamilies #AutismKids #AutismMoms #AutismParents #Neurodivergent #NeurodiversityAcceptance #DisabilityAwareness #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityInclusion #DevelopmentalDisabilities #DisabilityServices #actuallyautistic #WeChosePlay
Dr. Angel Belle Dy is a DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader in the Phillippines who started The Growing Brain PH, a DIR® accredited clinic that began as a social media page. She is a medical doctor who has a background in public health, community-based programs, and program development and fell into the world of infant mental health and parent coaching through finding Floortime. She teaches both online and on site courses for the International Council on Development and Learning.
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/2025/08/29/medical/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
This marks the first edition of Autistic Moms Chatting from Affect Autism. This episode features two autistic mothers and autistic advocates living in the United Kingdom. Autistic Moms Chatting is an addition to the usual podcast episodes.
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/2025/08/26/creating-community/
This marks the fifth edition of DIR® Dialogues from Affect Autism. This episode features Practitioner Panels–this one featuring five Speech-Language Pathologist DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leaders exploring Gestalt Language Processing. DIR® Dialogues is an addition to the usual podcast episodes.
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/2025/08/15/dir-dialogues-glp/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
Returning guest, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Robert Naseef, and first-time guest, Autistic Self-Advocate and Professor of Special Education at Alephi University, Dr. Stephen Shore have recently published an article in Autism Spectrum News called Reframing Pathological Demand Avoidance: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective which we discuss.
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/2025/08/01/pda/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
Maythe Martinez es una Líder Experta en DIRFloortime® en Mérida, México, donde fundó una escuela acreditada en DIRFloortime® llamada Senderos. Maythe es licenciada en psicología, tiene una maestría en Desarrollo Infantil y también es especialista en salud mental de la primera infancia. Senderos es una escuela bilingüe (español-inglés) de nivel preescolar y primaria que actualmente está organizando sus actividades para el campamento de verano y aceptando inscripciones para el próximo ciclo escolar.
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/2025/07/18/senderos-es/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
Maythe Martinez is a DIRFloortime Expert Training Leader in Merida, Mexico where she opened a DIR-accredited DIRFloortime school called "Senderos" which means "path" in English. Maythe is a licensed psychologist and an early infant/early childhood mental health specialist as well. Senderos is a (Spanish-English) bilingual preschool and elementary school currently planning their summer camp activities and accepting students for the upcoming school year.
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/2025/07/18/senderos/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
This marks the fourth edition of DIR® Dialogues from Affect Autism! This episode features Practitioner Panels–this one featuring five DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leaders exploring considerations around setting limits and boundaries with our children. DIR® Dialogues is an addition to the usual podcast episodes.
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/2025/07/04/limit-setting/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents
This edition of Parent Perspectives features a full-time mother, passionate advocate, and deep thinker, navigating life through the lens of a late ADHD diagnosis with her neurodivergent family. We discuss her family’s experience at their Floortime intensive at ICDL’s DIR® Institute.
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/2025/06/20/parent-insights/
Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents