Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat

Stephanie Robertson is back on the podcast! Steph is a multiply Neurodivergent OT, speaker and founder of SGR Occupational Therapy, and she's presenting her Autistic Joy workshop on day two of the Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference this August. In this episode we explore why Autistic joy isn't just a nice to have, what the research now tells us about centring joy, and how you can make yourself a joy menu, rebuild your joy filter and go on a joy treasure hunt.
"Your play and your engagement with children, the laughter, the joy seeking, it is all evidence-based now. So you can do those things that feel good in your interactions with children, and know that you are achieving so many wonderful things and helping facilitate their development." - Stephanie Robertson
You'll hear:
What Autistic joy feels like in Steph's whole body, and why the neuronormative expectation that adults don't flap, bounce or squeal is just custard
What the research now shows when we centre joy in therapy, from better regulation and stronger sense of identity to reduced masking and burnout
How to make yourself a joy menu, rebuild your joy filter and go on a joy treasure hunt, plus a taste of Steph's Autistic Joy workshop on day two of the (Un)Conference
Steph's joy menu prompts:
Reflect back on the last week and ask yourself:
What's something that made me smile?
What made me curious?
What made me lose track of time?
What sensory experiences feel good, or do I tend to seek out?
What made my shoulders soften? What made me laugh?
LINKS
Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference - 19th and 20th August 2026, all online. 19 incredible Neurodivergent speakers, with Steph's Autistic Joy workshop on day two. Recording-only tickets available (day one is recorded, day two is live only)
Connect with Stephanie Robertson - SGR Occupational Therapy:
Podcast: Alphabet Soup - Exploring Complex Neurodiversity
Website: SGR Occupational Therapy
Instagram: @sgroccupationaltherapy
Facebook: SGR Holistic and Family Focused Occupational Therapy
Facebook group: The Neurodiversity Empowerment Movement
YouTube: The Spiritual OT

Meet Kaishawna Fleming, a Black DeafBlind Autistic advocate, clarinettist and writer who communicates through AAC, sign language and speech, sharing what it really takes to support AAC users, especially Black and Brown AAC users, and why cultural difference has to be part of the conversation.
This conversation is a taste of what Kaishawna brings as one of the speakers at the Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference, a two-day online event centring lived experience and neurodiversity affirming practice for the people who support neurodivergent kids.
"Listening and active engagement serves to help and improve the understanding of cultural significance when it comes to autism. When we actively listen, we allow their lived experiences to guide us through their journey." Kaishawna Fleming
You'll hear about:
How Kaishawna communicates through AAC, sign language and speech, and why the mode shifts with mood, energy and cognitive load
Why autism can present differently for Black, Indigenous and Brown learners, and what real listening asks of families and educators
What professionals need to unlearn, from white privilege and fragility to the way words like woke get taken and distorted
Life's Moments, the novel Kaishawna is writing about a couple navigating disability, race and ableism together, and their call for beta readers
LINKS
Neurodiversity Affirming (Un)Conference: two-day online event on 19th and 20th August 2026, where Kaishawna is one of the speakers, with Day 1 available as recordings: neurodiversityunconference.com
Connect with Kaishawna:
Instagram: @kaishawna_music
YouTube: youtube.com/@kaishawna
Email: flemingkaishawna@gmail.com
Support Kaishawna: if you have benefited from Kaishawna's insights, connection and understanding, please consider supporting them with funds, via Venmo or PayPal

This episode is a cross-release from the Neurodivergent Pulse Podcast, hosted by Laetitia Andrac from Understanding Zoe. In this chat I shared big shifts to how we think about what 'communication support' should really look like for Autistic kids.
"We need to ensure that if somebody has a different way of communicating, we are supporting them to find their best way to communicate in that moment for that person, not for what the world around them is asking." - Adina Levy
We cover:
Why the word "speech" in speech therapy is part of the problem, and what communication support should actually prioritise
How to question goals and expectations for autistic children, including the difference between safety-based compliance and neurotypical conformity
Reframing "use your words" and table-sitting compliance goals into child-led, interest-based approaches
A beautiful moment where a five-year-old made her own AAC board because she just didn't feel like talking
A call to action for professional bodies and policymakers to actually live the inclusive values they claim to uphold
Connect with Laetitia, Understanding Zoe and the Neurodivergent Pulse Podcast:
Neurodivergent Pulse Podcast (hosted by Laetitia Andrac) - listen and subscribe - https://understandingzoe.com/podcast/
Understanding Zoe - Laetitia's incredible platform for parents of neurodivergent kids - https://understandingzoe.com/
Laetitia on Instagram - @understanding.zoe - https://www.instagram.com/understanding.zoe
Connect with Adina, Play. Learn. Chat:
Neurodiversity Affirming Practice Learning Hub Membership for professionals who support neurodivergent children - https://playlearnchat.com/learning-hub/
2026 Neurodiversity (Un)Conference - August 2026 - https://playlearnchat.com/neurodiversity-affirming-unconference/
Play. Learn. Chat. freebies (free webinars, resources, and parent checklist) - https://playlearnchat.com/freebies/
Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast - https://playlearnchat.com/exploring-neurodiversity-podcast/
Connect with me on Instagram - @play.learn.chat - https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat/
Differently Aligned Business Coaching - https://differentlyaligned.com/
Differently Aligned Podcast - https://pod.link/1729123916

In this joyful chat, AuDHDer and delightful clinical psychologist Brianna Thomas shares insightful, creative and practical strategies for building affirming spaces where neurodivergent and LGBTQI+ young people can explore their identities. We discuss the powerful intersection of neurodivergence and gender/sexual identity, why curiosity beats assumptions every time, and how creativity and parallel play can become your most powerful therapeutic tools. Also, flowers, glue and banana bread.
"If I don't regulate, how can they possibly be expected to do what we say if we are not doing it in front of them and really authentically living it out in that moment?" – Brianna Thomas
We cover:
The high crossover between neurodivergence and LGBTQI+ identities and what adults need to understand
How to create psychologically safe spaces through creativity, curiosity, thoughtful intake forms, and flexible communication
Why slowing the pace (without blocking exploration) helps everyone process identity journeys together
School strategies: bathroom accommodations, roll call flexibility, and family communication
The power of parallel play and co-regulation in therapeutic sessions
Bringing creativity into everything: why "making a sandwich" counts as creative practice
Moving beyond worksheets to rocks with googly eyes, paint, clay, and colorful chaos
Resources Mentioned:
Trans Hub: transhub.org.au – Information for clinicians, parents, and trans young people
The Gender Identity Workbook for Teens – Structured resource for exploring gender journey (with quizzes and activities for individuals, families, or therapists): https://www.thenile.com.au/books/andrew-maxwell-triska-msw-lcsw/gender-identity-workbook-for-teens/9781648765087
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg – Picture book about finding opportunity in mistakes and imperfection: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Oops-Barney-Saltzberg/dp/076115728X
Connect with Brianna Thomas:
ADHD IRL Podcast: Listen on Spotify
The Psych Hive: thepsychhive.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychhive/ and https://www.instagram.com/brianna_thomas_psych/

Daily deals on Neurodiversity Affirming Practice professional education - https://playlearnchat.com/deals-week (Ends 28 Nov 2025)
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As we head into the busiest part of the year with changes, unpredictable off-routine things, and maybe extreme weather, here's how to proactively regulate and prepare for difficult days. This helps the children you support, and yourself!
"When you're very proactive in putting supports in place, the amount of reactive support that's needed reduces greatly." - Adina Levy
In this episode, I share:
Why preparing for difficult days (hot weather, poor sleep, changes to routine) is particularly helpful for Autistic and anxious folks, and how to anticipate what might be challenging
How to build regulation toolkits with children: create short lists of what helps when dysregulated, model your own strategies, and practice strategies ahead of time, not just when things fall apart
What lowering expectations really means (hint: it's not about limiting potential forever), and why self-advocacy takes practice and confidence
Links:
Podcast Link: https://pod.link/1625478932
Website: www.playlearnchat.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/play.learn.chat
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/play.learn.chat