Autism support changes when students speak first

Autism Support Works Best When We Stop Working in Silos

In this episode, I sat down with a long-time disabilities care provider to unpack what real multidisciplinary support looks like—and why coordination, not just more minutes of therapy, changes outcomes.

Key Topics Covered:
Why autism care needs a team: educators, physicians, ABA, OT, speech, psychology, nutrition—and how parents often end up coordinating it all
The spectrum keeps shifting: how diagnostic changes impact services, insurance, and expectations
Mind-body realities: feeding, gut issues, texture sensitivities, and how sensory load affects learning (eye contact isn’t a measure of attention)
From time spent to value delivered: why value-based care means sharing data, aligning goals, and communicating weekly—not just at IEPs
Voice and choice: practical ways to include autistic individuals’ preferences in learning and work readiness

Main Takeaways:
Coordination is the missing piece: Families shouldn’t carry the whole care plan. Shared data, materials, and real-time updates across teams reduce gaps and stress.
Sensory-aware teaching works: Try side-by-side conversations, walking meetings, and reduced visual demands. Remove a barrier and learning picks up.
Feeding support needs a team: Pair speech, OT, medical clearance, and behavior strategies. Track and share progress weekly to stay aligned.
Ask about preferences early: Use simple checklists to learn how someone likes to learn (movement vs. seated, group vs. solo, visual vs. tactile). Don’t wait until vocational training.
Access is uneven: Waitlists, staffing changes, and pay disparities limit quality. Technology and automation can help share effective practices without watering them down.
Include lived experience: Build plans around what the person says helps or overwhelms. Theory should follow real life, not the other way around.
Research matters—and must translate: Genetics and environment both deserve attention, but findings need to reach classrooms, clinics, and homes.

We’re continuing this conversation in Part 2 to tackle disparities, severe support needs, and how families can get real coordination—not just more appointments.

Listen to the full episode for examples you can use in your next IEP meeting or therapy session.

Resources:
https://www.abatoolbox.com/
https://www.learnerscompass.com/
https://www.farshchianart.com/
https://www.global-schoolhouse.org/