Shawn McGill MSW Consulting LLC

02/20/2026

"The Autistic Brain" helps minds succeed and is well worth the read (or listen). Temple Grandin helps us make sense.

The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum By Temple Grandin: a cutting-edge account of the latest science of autism.

02/12/2026

DBTSkills. Emotion Regulation Module.

02/10/2026

02/09/2026

Loneliness can feel different when you live with a disability—and it’s rarely discussed openly. This episode explores what that loneliness looks like, such as social isolation, inaccessible spaces, and feeling misunderstood. It examines how disability, identity, and community intersect and why loneliness is often systemic, not personal. Through real stories and insights, the conversation covers grief, anger, hope, and connection. Whether you’re disabled, care for someone, or want to understand disability, listen with empathy. You’re not alone—and shouldn’t face loneliness alone.

Loneliness can feel different when you live with a disability—and it’s something we don’t often talk about openly. This episode dives into what that lonel

02/05/2026

"The glass is refillable". That is so, so we persist. Hope you all are doing OK this Thursday afternoon.

02/04/2026

💖 People with disabilities should have the right to marry without losing their income, benefits, or health insurance. 💕

💕 In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, people with disabilities are discouraged from getting married or are pushed to divorce in order to get or maintain their income, benefits, and health insurance.
In the United States specifically, it's because benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid are needs-based and focus on current assets and income. When someone marries someone not in those programs, their partner's assets and income are combined with theirs. It is because of the combined income that many married people with disabilities lose their SSI and Medicaid benefits. For people with disabilities who are already married, many have been forced to divorce and live separately in order to keep benefits that they need to survive.

💕 People with disabilities shouldn't be forced to choose between the benefits they need to survive and their partners. 💕
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Digital illustration of a woman with brown skin and curly black hair. She is disabled and is sitting in a grey wheelchair looking at the viewer. The woman is wearing a cream color linen dress, pink and blue flower print go-go boots, pink and blue pom pom earrings. There's a text bubble that reads, 'there is no marriage equality until people with disabilities can marry without losing benefits.’

02/03/2026

Thanks to Fayette Resources, Inc., for hosting another day of training for CPS staff. It was a powerful day of sharing, connecting, and learning together to improve our support for people with disabilities who entrust us with their services.

If your group or organization is interested in training, please contact us today. We have years of experience that is sure to leave staff with something to remember or at least resonate with. Visit us today at www.shawnmcgillmsw.com

01/30/2026

💙 Support That Makes a Difference 💙
Every person learns, grows, and shines in their own way—and we’re here to help make that journey smoother.
At Shawn McGill Consulting, we provide compassionate, personalized behavior support for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. Our goal is to build skills, encourage independence, and create more moments of calm and connection for families.
✅ Gentle, evidence-based strategies
✅ Support at home and in the community
✅ Plans designed around each person’s strengths
📞 Call 412-781-3829 or visit

Shawn McGill Consulting offers consultations, evaluations, treatment and behavior support in Pittsburgh, PA to people with autism and intellectual disabilities.

01/28/2026

When someone with an intellectual disability uses few or no words, the risk isn’t that they have nothing to say, it’s that others rush to fill the silence. Good support slows that down.

Start with watching. Notice body language, breathing, movement, facial expression, and changes in routine. Discomfort is often communicated long before it is explained.

Offer choices in ways that don’t require speech. Use objects, pictures, gestures, yes/no signals, or simple options. Pause long enough for a response. Silence often means someone needs more time, not that they have nothing to say.

Check understanding gently and often. Try something small, then watch what happens. If the body pulls away, stiffens, or settles, listen to that. Communication is ongoing, not a one-time question.

Reduce the number of voices in the room. Too many opinions create noise. People are easier to hear when fewer people are speaking.

Document what is learned. What brings comfort. What causes distress. What helps. All of this knowledge deserves to be taken seriously.

Advocating means resisting urgency. It means saying, “We don’t know yet, let’s take more time.”

Support isn’t about speaking louder on someone’s behalf. It’s about making space so their voice, however it shows up, can be heard.
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ID: Title reads: If you have an intellectual disability. Image shows a man looking thoughtfully off to one side. Text reads: The quieter your voice, the louder others' opinions become.

01/22/2026

An important message. Read on...

The trouble is that coercion often doesn’t feel like coercion to the person using it. It feels like helping. It feels like moving the day along. It feels like doing your job.
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ID: Image shows a man looking sad. Title reads: Coercion in disability services. Speech bubbles coming from others around the mad read: “Don’t make my job harder.” “If you do this now, we can go out later.” “If you don’t shower, you can’t go.” “This is just what we do.”

01/20/2026

Boundaries & Hugging - David Hingsburger, "The Ethics of Touch". Pass it on!