Plans can go sideways real quick when working with young neurodiverse learners. How you prepare and adjust on the fly can make all the difference in turning those chaotic moments into positive opportunities!

We'll discuss tackling the tough moments that can pop up during assessments or therapy sessions, even when young learners start showing some aggressive behavior. Instead of seeing these moments as setbacks, we're all about flipping the script and turning them into valuable learning opportunities. Whether you're a clinician or a parent, you'll receive some solid strategies to keep things positive and safe, and how to prepare for the unexpected. So, let’s get into some real talk about managing some of these unexpected moments!

Timestamps:

(01:36) - Welcome

(06:53) - Real Life Scenario Example

(19:40) - Behavioral Responses in Therapy

(40:10) - Bring In Help!

(45:55) - Methods That Can Make Things Worse

Mentioned In This Episode:

Any clinical examples shared in this episode have been de-identified and adapted for educational purposes. Details may be altered or combined, and the content does not reflect any single client.

In Applied behaviour Analysis (ABA), SEAT is an acronym representing the four primary functions of behaviour: Sensory, Escape, Attention, and Tangible. It is used by clinicians to identify why a behaviour occurs to develop effective, proactive intervention plans and replace challenging behaviours with more functional ones.

The Four Functions of Behaviour (SEAT):

1. Sensory (Automatic Reinforcement): The behaviour feels good or self-stimulates the senses (e.g., hand flapping, rocking, humming).
2. Escape (Avoidance): The behaviour allows the individual to avoid or delay a non-preferred task or situation (e.g., running away, tantrums during work).
3. Attention: The behaviour is used to gain social reaction from others, whether positive or negative (e.g., yelling, tapping a teacher).
4. Tangible: The behaviour is used to obtain a desired item or activity (e.g., crying for a toy, asking for candy).

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

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Today, we're chatting with Vanessa Eastmure & Jessie Collins from the London Children's Museum - the masterminds behind the museum's redesign, focused on making it a welcoming haven for all kids, whether neurodiverse or neurotypical.

Throughout our conversation, we explore how they've created a space that’s all about accessibility and inclusion for all families. We learn about their awesome sensory-friendly evenings, new exhibits, special events, and much more! So, grab your headphones, kick back, and let’s dive into how the London Children's Museum is making play & learning accessible for all!

Timestamps:

(01:28) - Welcome

(01:54) - Meet Vanessa & Jessie

(08:55) - Accessibility and Inclusion at the museum

(16:52) - Creating Inclusive Spaces:

(20:26) - Sensory Friendly Evenings

(27:52) - Designing for Accessibility and Predictability

(32:55) - Evaluating Community Feedback and Design Improvements

(46:21) - What To Know Before Coming

Mentioned In This Episode:

Follow the London Children's Museum on Instagram: @londonchildrensmuseum

For questions about the London Children’s Museum, reach out to info@londonchildrensmuseum.ca

Special thanks to:

Mira Noordermeer, Director of Marketing & Visitor Services

Vanessa Eastmure, Director of Exhibits and Visitor Experience

Jessie Collins, Director of Education

The London Children’s Museum was designed with all types of families in mind. For more information about their quiet rooms, free sensory-friendly evenings, adventure backpacks, sensory & visual supports and more, visit: https://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/accessibility

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Visit The Sensory Supply for the best in sensory products to soothe, stimulate, and inspire.

Learn about our clinic Elemenoe where we work to reach milestones together through speech, language, behaviour & learning.

Visit neurodiversallyspeaking.com for all podcast & show info:

Follow us:

1. Instagram
2. Facebook
3. X
4. YouTube
5. TikTok

Contact:

Have a question or a topic that you'd love to hear on the show? Get in touch with us at hello@neurodiversallyspeaking.com

Today, we're speaking with a very exciting guest - author Julie M. Green!

Julie M. Green is the author of Motherness, a memoir of generational autism, parenthood, and radical acceptance (ECW Press, 2025). In 2024, she was a finalist for the CBC Nonfiction Prize. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Globe and Mail, HuffPost, Parents, Chatelaine, CBC, Today's Parent, and more. She also writes The Autistic Mom on Substack.

Throughout our conversation with Julie, we discuss her parenting journey to her autistic son and as a late-diagnosed autistic adult. We peel-back the complexities of parenting and the emotional rollercoaster it brings, especially when navigating both autism and motherhood. Learn all about her memoir "Motherness" - available now! - where she shares her candid reflections on the messy, often overwhelming realities of raising a neurodivergent child while wrestling with her own late diagnosis. There’s a ton of relatable wisdom packed in here, from the struggles of societal expectations to the brutal honesty of mental load that many parents carry. So, whether you’re a parent, a professional, or just someone trying to figure out this wild ride called life, buckle up - this one is for you!

Timestamps:

(01:34) - Welcome

(03:16) - Welcome Julie!

(07:35) - The Journey of Writing Motherness

(16:54) - The Complexity of Parenting a Neurodivergent Child

(24:21) - Navigating the Challenges of Autism Diagnosis and Acceptance

(28:33) - Challenges of Caregiving for Neurodivergent Children

(37:42) - Education and Support for Children with Disabilities

(44:07) - Understanding Developmental Differences in Children

(51:54) - Navigating Parental Guilt and Growth

(56:31) - Neurodiversity in Parenting

(01:06:45) - Community for Neurodivergent Teens

(01:17:41) - Parenthood During Tough Times

Mentioned In This Episode:

Where To Find Julie:

1. IG: @juliem.green
2. Substack: The Autistic Mom
3. Website: juliemgreen.ca

Julie's Book: Motherness: a Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood, and Radical Acceptance

*Disclaimer: At the time of recording this episode, Julie's son Carson used he/him pronouns.

The Spoon Theory:

The Spoon Theory is a metaphor for managing limited energy, particularly for people with chronic illness, neurodivergence, or caregiving responsibilities. Each “spoon” represents a unit of energy or capacity for the day, and once your spoons are used up, you need to rest before you have more to give. The concept helps explain why individuals sometimes have to prioritize tasks, activities, or social interactions, and why energy can feel finite or quickly depleted.

Brief History of Asperger’s Syndrome:

Asperger’s syndrome was a diagnostic term used to describe...