Rethinking Autism Therapy

Autistic Culture Podcast Network
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Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection. Hosted by Daria Brown, each episode features a different co-host to explore what DIRFloortime® is, what it's like to experience it, why it meets Autistic needs, and how to decide whether it's the right approach for you. Together, they share practical insights and tools for building meaningful connection and supporting social-emotional development in ways that honour each autistic individual. Through conversations with practitioners, parents, and autistic voices, the series offers an accessible introduction to the DIRFloortime® framework while exploring the role of relationships, play, and connection in supporting autistic development. Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. Daria Brown: affectautism.com Instagram: @affectautism X: @affectautism Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautism The "We Chose Play" podcast from Affect Autism: On Apple Podcasts  & On Spotify Daria is the author of We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. Episode 1

    What is DIRFloortime®? with L. Mike Fields

    What is DIRFloortime® and why do so many families and practitioners find it transformative? In this first episode of Rethinking Autism Therapy, Daria Brown is joined by DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader, licensed professional counsellor, and ADHD adult parent Mike Fields to explore the foundations of the DIR® Model and the practice of Floortime. Together, they unpack the developmental, individual-differences, and relationship-based principles that make DIRFloortime® unique, while challenging traditional compliance-based approaches to autism support. Listeners will learn how Dr. Stanley Greenspan's model grew from his observations of human development, why affect and relationships are central to learning and growth, and how curiosity about the "why" behind behaviour can help us better understand autistic and neurodivergent experiences. Daria and Mike discuss the Functional Emotional Developmental Capacities (FEDCs), the importance of co-regulation, intrinsic motivation, play, emotional connection, and how development unfolds differently for every individual. Whether you are a parent, practitioner, educator, autistic adult, or simply curious about developmental approaches, this conversation offers an accessible introduction to DIRFloortime® as more than a therapy—it is a way of understanding human development, relationships, communication, and growth across the lifespan. Learn more: 🌐 L. Mike Fields: https://www.myinneractions.com/l-michael-fields 📖 The FEDCs: https://affectautism.com/2015/09/24/the-d/ 🌐 The International Council on Development and Learning: https://www.icdl.com/ Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Episode 2

    Experiencing DIRFloortime® with Cheyenne Erikson

    What does DIRFloortime® actually feel like from the perspective of an autistic person? In this second episode of Rethinking Autism Therapy, Daria Brown is joined by autistic musician Cheyenne Erikson to explore what it was like growing up with situational mutism, anxiety, and an undiagnosed autistic neurotype, and how a relationship-based, developmental approach helped her feel understood and supported. Cheyenne shares her personal journey from an early diagnosis of situational mutism to discovering her autistic identity as a young adult. Together, she and Daria discuss how DIRFloortime's emphasis on relationships, individual differences, play, and emotional connection contrasts with more directive or compliance-based approaches. Through stories from childhood, teaching, parenting, and clinical practice, they illustrate how following a child's lead, presuming competence, and supporting regulation can foster authentic communication and growth. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the world through a neurodivergent lens, recognizing the many ways children communicate, and creating safe opportunities for exploration, play, and emotional expression. Listeners will gain insight into how DIRFloortime® supports not only autistic children, but meaningful relationships across the lifespan. Learn more: 🌐 Cheyenne Erikson: https://www.cheyennepaige.com/ 📸 Instagram: @cheyennepaigemusic 📖 Situational Mutism: https://reframingautism.org.au/all-about-situational-mutism-a-guide-for-allies/ 🗂️ Cheyenne's SLP mother's Situational Mutism cards: https://www.bjoremspeech.com/en-ca/products/dir%C2%AE-sm-a-developmental-approach-to-selective-mutism-intervention Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Episode 3

    How DIRFloortime® Meets Autistic Needs with Dr. Emile Gouws

    How does DIRFloortime® meet autistic needs in a neurodiversity-affirming way? In this third episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by autistic self-advocate, researcher, and ICDL Board President Dr. Emile Gouws to explore how the DIR® model aligns with autistic lived experience and why relationships, respect, and understanding are essential for meaningful development. Drawing on his own experiences growing up as a nonspeaking autistic child, Emile shares the challenges of being viewed through a medical-model lens, the trauma of compliance-based interventions, and the profound impact of finally being seen, understood, and supported through a relationship-based approach. Together, Daria and Emile discuss how DIRFloortime® differs from approaches focused on normalization by emphasizing individual differences, emotional development, authentic communication, and connection. The conversation highlights how autistic development may look different from neurotypical development, why practitioners must be mindful of ableist assumptions, and how play, co-regulation, and meaningful relationships create the conditions for growth. They also explore the role of neurodiversity, self-advocacy, sensory differences, and the Double Empathy Problem in shaping a more affirming understanding of autism. Learn more: 🌐 Dr. Emile Gouws: https://emilegouws.org/ 🌐 ICDL Board: https://www.icdl.com/about/board Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Episode 4

    Is DIRFloortime® Right for You? with Dr. Kathy Platzman

    Can DIRFloortime® help autistic adults, too? In this final episode of the Rethinking Autism Therapy mini-series, Daria Brown is joined by clinical developmental psychologist and DIRFloortime® Expert and Training Leader Dr. Kathy Platzman to explore how the DIR® model can support autistic adults, late-diagnosed individuals, and anyone seeking greater self-understanding, self-advocacy, and emotional growth. Together, they discuss how DIRFloortime® extends far beyond childhood intervention. Rather than focusing on deficits, the model emphasizes relationships, individual differences, strengths, and human development across the lifespan. Dr. Platzman explains how DIR's developmental framework can help adults better understand their sensory profiles, emotional regulation needs, personal strengths, and patterns of connection with others. The conversation explores topics such as masking, self-advocacy, trauma, neurodiversity, sensory differences, self-regulation, and the importance of discovering what brings joy and meaning to life. Through personal stories and reflections, Daria and Kathy demonstrate how DIRFloortime® can provide a roadmap for understanding ourselves with greater compassion and helping others do the same. Learn more: 🌐 Dr. Kathy Platzman: https://floortimeatlanta.com/kathy-platzman/ 🌐 The Autistic Self Advocacy Network: https://autisticadvocacy.org/ Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Aug 5

    Trailer: Welcome to Rethinking Autism Therapy

    What if autism therapy started with connection instead of compliance? Welcome to Rethinking Autism Therapy, a new four-part mini-series exploring DIRFloortime®, a developmental, relationship-based approach that supports autistic people through connection, play, and understanding. Hosted by Daria Brown, this series brings together autistic people, parents, caregivers, and professionals to explore what DIRFloortime® is, how it works in practice, and why many families and practitioners are choosing a different approach to autism support. Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. Daria Brown: affectautism.com Instagram: @affectautism X: @affectautism Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautism The "We Chose Play" podcast from Affect Autism: On Apple Podcasts  & On Spotify Daria is the author of We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trailer

About

Rethinking Autism Therapy is a four-part mini-series for parents, caregivers, professionals, and Autistic individuals who want to learn about DIRFloortime®, a strength-based, developmental, relationship-driven approach to growth and connection. Hosted by Daria Brown, each episode features a different co-host to explore what DIRFloortime® is, what it's like to experience it, why it meets Autistic needs, and how to decide whether it's the right approach for you. Together, they share practical insights and tools for building meaningful connection and supporting social-emotional development in ways that honour each autistic individual. Through conversations with practitioners, parents, and autistic voices, the series offers an accessible introduction to the DIRFloortime® framework while exploring the role of relationships, play, and connection in supporting autistic development. Produced for the Autistic Culture Podcast Network. Daria Brown: affectautism.com Instagram: @affectautism X: @affectautism Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautism The "We Chose Play" podcast from Affect Autism: On Apple Podcasts  & On Spotify Daria is the author of We Chose Play: Raising an Autistic Child to Thrive and Feel Understood 🎧 Rethinking Autism Therapy is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌈 Celebrate autistic voices with early access, ad-free listening, and our full archive at AutisticCulturePlus.com 🌐 Visit www.autisticculturepodcastnetwork.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @autisticculturepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Autistic Culture Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Autistic Culture Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    Rethinking Autism Therapy