Tuning In to Development

Profectum Foundation
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join Profectum’s Kassie Allison on a journey into the transformative world of development through the lens of the DIR® model. Together, we’ll unpack key insights, share practical strategies, and explore the latest research—all while keeping the focus on connection, growth, and potential for individuals and families. Along the way, we’ll chat with some truly inspiring guests, bringing you valuable perspectives and real-world experiences. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply curious about development across the lifespan, this is the place for you!

  1. 30 MAR

    Episode 14: Partnering with Parents with Carrie Alvarado

    In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison returns with guest Carrie Alvarado, PhD, OTR for a thoughtful conversation about the importance of intentionally including parents in therapy through Developmental, Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBIs). Dr. Alvarado shares how her work evolved from focusing primarily on direct child intervention to embracing the DIR model, which emphasizes strengthening the entire family system. She explains that children make more meaningful and lasting progress when caregivers are empowered and actively involved, especially through a stronger parent–child relationship. A pivotal moment in her career came when a mother observed her child “come to life” with a clinician—an experience that highlighted the gap between clinical success and what families feel at home. This led Dr. Alvarado to prioritize parent-mediated approaches, ensuring caregivers can create and sustain those same moments of connection themselves. Using the PACT (Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy) model, Dr. Alvarado incorporates reflective video feedback to help parents recognize their strengths, better read and respond to their child’s cues, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. This approach supports progress that carries over into everyday life and across caregivers, ultimately allowing the clinician to “take hands off the bike” as families develop their own rhythm and balance.

    43 min

  2. 27 FEB

    Episode 13: A Focus on Families with Ruby Salazar

    In this episode of Tuning into Development, Deborah Sussman steps in for host Kassie Allison for a thoughtful conversation with clinical social worker and developmental specialist Ruby Salazar. Together, they explore Ruby’s passion for working with families through the DIR® perspective and what it truly means to partner with caregivers in relationship-based, family-centered ways. Ruby shares how helping families understand behavior developmentally can strengthen connection, support regulation, and bring greater balance to everyday family life—particularly in moments of stress, limited resources, or following an autism diagnosis. The conversation highlights the importance of caregivers serving as a secure base, “putting on their own oxygen mask,” and creating small, meaningful rituals that nurture joy, attunement, and communication. The episode also offers a preview of Profectum’s March conference focused on supporting families across the lifespan, featuring expert faculty, keynote sessions, and access to recorded content following the event.

    38 min

  3. 4 FEB

    Episode 12: Love and Neurodiversity with Monica Osgood and Anie Knipping

    What does love look like when we let go of social expectations and truly meet each other as we are? In this episode, guest host Dr. Jennie Trocchio is joined by Monica Osgood, a longtime leader in developmental, relationship-based approaches, and Anie Knipping, an autistic homemaker, author and artist, for a deeply human conversation about love, neurodiversity, and connection. Together, they explore how autistic individuals experience love through comfort, trust, honesty, and shared support—and how many of these needs are universal, even if they show up differently. Anie shares powerful lived-experience stories about partnership, sensory safety, honesty, identity, and what it means to be a true team in a relationship. Monica adds a developmental lens, introducing frameworks that help explain why safety, competence, confidence, and shared control are essential foundations for meaningful connection. This conversation moves beyond dating “rules” and stereotypes to highlight what helps relationships thrive: being understood, honoring individual differences, finding your people, and building love that makes space for who you truly are.

    1hr 7min

  4. 30/12/2025

    Episode 11: Stress and Resilience with Traci Swink, MD

    In this insightful and engaging episode, host Kassie Allison and guest Traci Swink, MD delve into the intricate dynamics of stress, resilience, and nervous system regulation within families, particularly during challenging times. They explore how various stressors, including environmental and social factors, can impact both children and adults, and why some individuals are more susceptible to stress due to early developmental influences and unique nervous system wiring. The discussion highlights the importance of co-regulation, relational safety, and understanding individual differences in managing stress. Traci introduces the concept of body budgets and provides practical strategies for caregivers to support both their own and their children's nervous systems. Additionally, Traci shares a real-life example of how tailored interventions in a daycare setting helped a child navigate his stress, illustrating the principles of neuro-relational care in action.  The episode underscores the significance of building resilience through supportive relationships and adaptive stress management, offering hope and practical guidance for families in stressful seasons.

    40 min

  5. 28/11/2025

    Episode 10: Strategies for Managing the Holiday Season

    In this episode of Tuning In to Development, host Kassie Allison explores how families and clinicians can navigate the unique challenges the holiday season brings for neurodivergent children. Drawing on perspectives from both parents and professionals, Kassie discusses the increased stress, sensory demands, and shifting routines that can make this time of year especially overwhelming. Listeners will learn practical strategies for setting realistic expectations, planning ahead, creating flexible routines, developing exit plans, and supporting children around food and social pressures. The episode also highlights ways to build new, meaningful traditions that honor each child’s individual needs. A warm and thoughtful conversation to help families approach the holidays with confidence, compassion, and connection.

    40 min

  6. 05/11/2025

    Episode 9: Making Medication Decisions with Joshua Feder, MD

    In this episode, host Kassie Allison talks with Dr. Josh Feder, a child and family psychiatrist and Profectum Faculty member, about the complex topic of medication use in autism and neurodiversity. They discuss common reasons people are prescribed medications, the importance of addressing environmental and sensory factors first, and how naturalistic, developmental, and parent-mediated strategies can often reduce the need for prescriptions. Dr. Feder walks listeners through his “algorithm for care,” starting with understanding the child’s intent, sensory and motor needs, communication, and co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Dr. Feder emphasizes a thoughtful, relationship-based approach to care—one that explores all possible supports before turning to medication.

    46 min

  7. 29/08/2025

    Episode 8: Navigating School Supports: IEPs, 504 Plans, and Advocacy with Taiisha Calbert-Foster, PhD

    In this episode of 'Tuning into Development,' host Kassie Allison and Dr. Taiisha Calbert-Foster, a school psychologist, discuss comprehensive strategies to support students in the academic setting. They delve into the processes of 504 plans, IEPs, and student and parent rights. The conversation covers how to identify and address different student needs through classroom monitoring, building-level referrals, and comprehensive assessments, and what parents can do to advocate for their children's educational needs.

    27 min

  8. 30/07/2025

    Episode 7: Navigating Complex Feeding Challenges: From Picky Eating to Tube Feeding, with Karen Dilfer, MS, OTR/L, and Savannah Sunvold, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

    In this episode of 'Tuning into Development,' host Kassie Allison delves deep into a variety of feeding issues with guest experts Karen Dilfer, an occupational therapist, and Savannah Sunvold, a speech-language pathologist. Both guests provide insights on feeding therapy assessment and intervention practices. Karen shares her experience as a 'Get Permission' clinician, emphasizing a child-led, parent-supported approach. Savannah discusses medically complex eaters, and issues like aspiration, swallow studies, and feeding tubes. The episode concludes with resources and support recommendations for families dealing with feeding issues.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join Profectum’s Kassie Allison on a journey into the transformative world of development through the lens of the DIR® model. Together, we’ll unpack key insights, share practical strategies, and explore the latest research—all while keeping the focus on connection, growth, and potential for individuals and families. Along the way, we’ll chat with some truly inspiring guests, bringing you valuable perspectives and real-world experiences. Whether you’re a parent, professional, or simply curious about development across the lifespan, this is the place for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Profectum Foundation
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Tuning In to Development

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