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.comInstagram: @affectautismX: @affectautismFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/affectautismThe "We Chose Play" podcast from Affect Autism:On Apple Podcasts  & On SpotifyDaria 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

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

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/boardProduced 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

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-interventionProduced 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