OTs for Neurodiversity

03/09/2025

✨ Support Sunday ✨

Making Sense of Sensory - For a Person!

Awhile back (apparently in November) we delivered a training entitled Making Sense of Sensory for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. (Yes, we do trainings on all sorts of topics, not just energy regulation 🤓🤓)

As part of the training, we opened access for attendees to a Google form that we have been playing around with. It is entitled "Making Sense of Sensory For a Person" - think of it as an interactive expansion of the Interoception and Sensory domains of the Person in Context Tool. People have reached out to let us know that they have found it to be very useful in supporting their clients. So, we thought we would share it here, too.

If you take it for a spin, you will wind up with a lovely little summary of your responses that you can print out to reflect upon and also share with others.

You will not wind up with a "score." Because, what do scores really mean? Hint.. hint... in the context of sensory processing, not very much at all. This questionnaire is designed to help you consider nuance in experience for yourself or others and to contemplate more fully what your sensory processing profile means in the context of your life. A rating will never do that.

To play around with the form click the link. We're not capturing data from the form, but it will ask your email so your results can be sent to you

https://forms.gle/DK73vXnqbT1dqyxn7

Image description, 4 screen shots from the Google form that give an idea of the set up and sample questions.

02/28/2025

Last Call! February is wrapping up, which means this is your final reminder to grab your spot at the 2025 Neurodiversity CE Summit on cultivating safety and connection. With 9 powerful talks, you'll leave the summit with a toolbox full of practical strategies that will transform your work with your Autistic clients.

Use coupon code "Latebird2025" at checkout to get $50 off, and you’ll have until March 15 to watch as many sessions as you want. Plus, you can earn CE credits for every talk you complete (approved for ASHA, AOTA, NASP, NBCC, and ASWB CEUs).

Visit www.learnplaythive.com/summit to sign up. Registration closes at the end of the day on February 28!

Here's the full list of talks and speakers.
🔹Neurodiversity Basics: Masking, Authentic Connection, & The Double Empathy Problem – with V Tisi, MA, CCC-SLP

🔹Safety Through Systems Change: Supporting Our Multiply Marginalized Clients – with ChrisTiana ObeySumner MPA

🔹Trauma-Informed Strategies Every Provider Should be Using – with Sharon Hammer, LPC & Lisa Hoeme, LPC

🔹Adult Transitions & Autistic Joy: Thinking Beyond ‘Independence’ – with Jacklyn Boheler, MS, OTR/L & Greg Boheler, MS, OTR/L

🔹Sometimes Speaking: How AAC Use Supports Safety for All – with Dr. Alyssa Hillary Zisk, PhD

🔹Behaviorism Doesn’t Create Safety: An Affirming Approach to Autistic Wandering – with Dr. Kashia Rosenau, PhD & Dr. Emily Hotez, PhD

🔹Every Provider’s Role in Reducing Autistic Su***de – with Kris McElroy, MS

🔹Safety from the Start: Neuroaffirming Practices and Parent Coaching in Early Intervention – with Hillary Crow, MA, CCC-SLP

🔹A Therapist’s Guide to Autistic Dating: Love, Queerness, & Asexuality – with Jen Harr, MSW LCSW @.roses


Image ID: 1 slide with speaker headshots in the background at the top. The words read, "Last chance to join! 2025 Continuing Education Summit: Cultivating Safety & Connections for our Autistic Clients." A blue banner at the bottom reads, "Registration officially closes at end of day February 28. Use coupon Code “Latebird 2025” to get $50 off your ticket."

02/27/2025

12/13/2024

11/09/2024

CANDOR's 2024 Virtual Conference: Transgressing Neuronormative Relationships

Conferencia Virtual 2024 de CANDOR: Transgrediendo Las Relaciones Neuronormativas

November 13th - 15th, 2024

Neuronormative relationship structures demand an expectation of equal exertion over equity of connection. This is often exclusionary and can separate Autistic, Neurodivergent, and Disabled individuals from lasting bonds. Community is an integral aspect of the survival and thriving conditions of disabled individuals. This conference will provide an overview of navigating relationships outside of the current societal structure. The goal is to foster understanding and stress the importance and value of creating space for varied experiences in interrelations. This conference has been designed by Autistic, Neurodivergent, and Disabled people and centers own-voices presenters.

Las estructuras relacionales neuronormativas exigen una expectativa de esfuerzo igualitario por encima de la equidad de conexión. Esto suele ser excluyente y puede separar a las personas Autistas, Neurodivergentes y Discapacitadas de vínculos duraderos. La comunidad es un aspecto integral de la supervivencia y las condiciones de prosperidad de las personas discapacitadas. Esta conferencia proporcionará una descripción general de cómo navegar por las relaciones fuera de la estructura social actual. El objetivo es fomentar la comprensión y destacar la importancia y el valor de crear espacio para experiencias variadas en las interrelaciones. Esta conferencia ha sido diseñada por personas Autistas, Neurodivergentes y Discapacitades y centra las voces de personas con experiencias vividas.

07/18/2024

“We concluded that there was not rigorous evidence supporting the notion that increasing the amount of intervention produces better intervention outcomes,” said Sandbank, who was first author on the study. “Instead, we recommend that practitioners consider what amount of intervention would be developmentally appropriate for the child and supportive to the family.”

After a thorough systematic analysis, Micheal Sandbank, PhD, at the UNC School of Medicine and other researchers across the United States found that evidence was lacking that higher intensity interventions provided increased benefits for young autistic children.

07/15/2024

In June 2024, Jacklyn Boheler, OTR/L presented to the NC Autism & Higher Education Collaborative on "How We Talk about Autism and Why it Matters."https://linc-it.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Linc-IT-How-We-Talk-about-Autism.pdf linc-it.org/higher-education/

05/30/2024

Hey everyone I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped out recently when I made a post about my friend, Matthew Rushin, who was cruelly and unfairly incarcerated several years ago for having a seizure while driving.

While Matthew is out of prison now, things haven’t been easy, thanks to still having these charges appearing on his record.

A message from Matthew is below:

"I need a little help until I start getting call backs from places.

I am looking arduously for a job, so anything helps until I find one."

Help could be funds or paid work (with an emphasis on and preference for paid work).

Some tasks Matthew has said he can do are:

“-I can create flyers and websites using Canva
-I can informationally and creatively write
-I do photography (Sessions)
-I coach with Doug Blecher and Nanny Aut” - will provide a link to this service in the comments.

I will put more details in the comments below, including information about Matthew’s case, coaching, and where you can send support (please only if you’re able).

If you’re a recruiter or are hiring/in Chesapeake, Virginia, please let us know (I will be sharing any information below which Matthew because he’s not on Facebook).

The donations that were sent previously have been helpful, but more than anything Matthew wants a job.

All your help has been appreciated, and Matthew asked me to thank you all.

Engagement with this post helps a lot. 🫶🏼

05/13/2024

Hi friends! 😊

I do a pretty rad job of explaining Dunn's sensory processing model - it's my favorite thing to spinfodump! ♾️ Come hang out with me at this virtual presentation of Making Sense of Sensory!

➡️ I've updated this presentation to include GESTALTS and new research that highlights how this approach is one of the most affirming in the neurodiverse universe.

➡️The virtual presentation is May 22 @ 7 PM ET with recording included. $27!

I am raising funds to open my local on-ground business (🎉🎉🎉🎉!) so I appreciate all support - even a heart react or share! Thank you! 🫶

04/04/2024