Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Adina Levy
Welcome to the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast for adults who support Neurodivergent children. Whether you're an allied health professional, medical profession...
Practical Strategies for Gestalt Language Processors (AAC users too!) with Alex Zachos from Meaningful Speech
In today's episode, I chat with the fabulous Alex Zachos from Meaningful Speech, a senior speech language pathologist with 20 years of experience. Alex specialises in Gestalt Language Processing and has revolutionised how we understand and support language development using Marge Blanc's Natural Language Acquisition framework. Alex shares practical tips for putting these theories into action when you connect with children who are GLPs, including how to support GLPs who are AAC users. Alex and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me [email protected] or get in touch with us on Instagram – Alex is @meaningfulspeech and I’m @play.learn.chat Connect with Alex: https://www.instagram.com/meaningfulspeech/ http://meaningfulspeech.com/ Links and resources discussed: Podcast episode 44, with Marge Blanc - Gestalt Language Processing, Natural Language Acquisition & the State of Research - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-44/ Free resource from Alex: Gestalt Detective GLP Handbook (2nd Edition) - Click here More free Resources (inlcuding the Free Masterclass we talked about) from Meaningful Speech - https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/free-resources Self-paced Courses from Meaningful Speech (Use the code ‘ADINA’ for 5% OFF)- https://www.meaningfulspeech.com/Self-Paced-Courses Adina's course for Speech Therapists - Affirming Communication for Autistic Children - https://playlearnchat.com/acac-course/ 🥳 Doors opening soon! Get on the waitlist now to get the best offer when we're open for registrations! 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
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45:33
BONUS: What’s been going on + A Special Invitation for Allied Health Business Owners!
In this episode, I want to thank you for listening to the podcast over the last year or however long you've been here. It has been such a joy, delivering these thoughts and ideas to your magical ears. I'm always open to feedback, questions, suggestions, what you'd like me to cover in the next year. As we wrap up the year, I invite you to revisit earlier episodes and if you are an allied health practitioner and you own a private practice, join my free mini-course, Streamline Your Practice. This course will help you streamline your processes and make your services more neurodiversity-affirming and accessible. I’ll share a sneak peek of what’s inside the course, like setting communication preferences that respect both your needs and your clients'. Links: Join Streamline Your Practice here: https://playlearnchat.kit.com/streamline-your-practice-course Contact me with feedback suggestions for the podcast for 2025: [email protected] 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
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Redefining Evidence: On NDIS Changes, Valuing Lived Experience, and Calling out Privilege
In this episode, we’re redefining what 'evidence' means in the context of disability support and questioning who gets to decide what counts as valid. I’ll also share updates about Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including changes related to art and music therapy. The NDIS is meant to fund and support disabled people to access what they need for a decent quality of life, but there are challenges worth discussing. Language warning! I get a little bit sweary in this episode because I feel strongly about these topics. If you’re listening with kids nearby, you might want to pop on some headphones! Links: Eye Contact Survey Results - www.playlearnchat.com/eye-contact Podcast Episode 43 - https://playlearnchat.com/podcast-43/ Making Groups Happen - https://playlearnchat.com/making-groups-happen-webinar/ Your Streamlined Practice - http://ndbusiness.co/your-streamlined-practice-workshop Podcast Guest Invitation - https://playlearnchat.com/contact/ Business Support for Neurodivergent Business Owners - https://ndbusiness.co/ Contact us at [email protected] 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
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Say more "Yes" in times of Big Change
With the end of the year coming in fast, many of us are experiencing a lot of change at the moment. For my family, this is a house move, and my daughter starting school soon. We’re all about saying “yes” as much as possible, to help us feel okay and connected during this busy and potentially tricky time. In this episode, I share the 5 types of “yes” that you can consider, to support neurodivergent kids and adults, and anyone at all of course, through change: Sensory Yes Activity Yes Control Yes Relationship Yes Flexibility Yes Listen in to hear examples of what these kinds of "yes" can look like, to support yourself, your family, or a kid in your world through a time of flux. I shared 2 exciting things coming up! Black Friday Deals Week - Get on the waitlist now and get an extra 10% off everything! Deals run 25th - 29th November 2024 https://playlearnchat.com/deals-week/ My upcoming Your Streamlined Practice live Workshop - limited to just 11 spots and running, in person in Sydney on Friday 10th & 17th January 2025. More info on the Deals Week page! Doors will be open for this on Wednesday 27th November (with earlybird pricing AND extra 10% off if you're on the Black Friday waitlist!) 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
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24:55
Gestalt Language Processing, Natural Language Acquisition & the State of Research with Marge Blanc
In this episode, I had the absolute joy of chatting with Marge Blanc about Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and Natural Language Acquisition (NLA). Marge has spent over 50 years supporting children’s language development, and her openness and curiosity have shaped so much of what we know today. We discuss how paying close attention to children’s unique communication and interactions can inform how we support them. We cover these areas and more: Key terms - Marge defines GLP, ALP, and NLA History and shifts in our understanding of GLP and NLA The state of research and the various forms that our 'evidence' can and should take Research gaps and future directions Responding to critics of NLA and GLP Simple and deeply important strategies to support Autistic children - for parents and professionals This episode is an insightful overview of 'where we've been and where we're going'... and my deep overt admiration for Marge’s work! Whether you’re a speech therapist, educator, or parent, you’ll come away inspired to support Neurodivergent children in meaningful, individualised ways. Marge and I would both love to hear your feedback and thoughts, so feel free to email me [email protected] or get in touch with us on Instagram - Marge is @blancmarge and I'm @play.learn.chat Links and resources discussed: The Communication Development Center: https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/ The Speech Den Gestalt Language Processors Conference: https://register.glpconference.co.uk/gestalt-language-processors-2024-conference Barry Prizant's articles about Echolalia: https://barryprizant.com/resources/downloads/echolalia-articles/ Marge Blanc's article 'Finding the Words to tell the "whole" story - Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum(2005) https://communicationdevelopmentcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Finding-the-words-to-tell-the-whole-story.pdf Uniquely Human Podcast Episode 114 - Marge Blanc and Alex Zachos speaking with Barry Prizant - https://uniquelyhuman.com/2024/09/13/gestalt-language-processing-and-natural-language-acquisition-marge-blanc-alex-zachos/ Marge’s training through AGOSCI - What’s Good About Echolalia? It’s Language Development! https://www.agosci.org.au/event-4909602 Facebook Group: Gestalt language processor - natural language acquisition https://www.facebook.com/groups/997863334533291 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
About Exploring Neurodiversity with Adina Levy from Play. Learn. Chat
Welcome to the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast for adults who support Neurodivergent children. Whether you're an allied health professional, medical professional, education professional or a parent of a Neurodivergent child, you are welcome here.
I'm Adina from Play. Learn. Chat. I'm an Autistic ADHDer, a speech therapist, professional educator speaker, and I also support Neurodivergent Business owners in my other business, neurodivergent Business Coaching and Consulting.
I'm obsessed with creating a world where Neurodivergent people are understood, embraced, supported, and celebrated. A world where we Neurodivergent people can understand ourselves and thrive in a life aligned with our individual strengths, wants and needs.
On the Exploring Neurodiversity Podcast, you'll get my perspectives and conversations with my Neurodivergent friends. All about how adults can best support Neurodivergent children in our lives.
I bring a Neurodiversity Affirming approach and indeed a human-affirming approach to the support that we all provide for Neurodivergent kids in our lives.
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New Zealand