Born to Be Free: Supporting Neurodivergent Clients to Learn, Play, & Thrive

Meg Ferrell

Autism

Neurodiversity

Occupational Therapy

Mental Health

Pediatric Feeding Practices

Get Permission Approach

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Disability Justice

Pathological Demand Avoidance

Representation Of Autistic Characters

Education

Speech-Language Pathology

Trauma

Autistic Neurotype

Child-Led Therapy

Continuing Education

ADHD

Therapeutic Practices

Neurodivergence

A podcast for professionals looking to support the deepest wellbeing of their neurodivergent clients. We focus on lived experiences, research, affirming practices, intersectionality, and the practical ways we can support authentic wellbeing. Visit learnplaythrive.com/podcast/

466 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	127	Founded	6 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	CoursesEducationRelationshipsSociety & Culture

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Supporting Twice Exceptional Autistic Kids

Kids who are very intellectually bright and also Autistic have a unique set of struggles, one that is often missed, silenced, or poorly supported. They may struggle with shame, perfectionism, self-advocacy, boredom, dysregulation, being misidentified... more

16 Sep 2026 • 53 min

Systems Let Autistic People Down, But They Don't Have To. Here's How To Change It

When Dr. Mel Houser started medical school, they never imagined that they would later find themselves reimagining healthcare for neurodivergent people. But their work has been remarkable - and offers all of us a template for challenging systems that ... more

2 Sep 2026 • 47 min • Most popular

Who Gets to Be Heard? The Case For Researching Assisted Methods to Autistic Communication

Here's what we know: assisted methods to teaching typing have been highly controversial in the field of speech-language pathology and simultaneously have been passionately defended by many non-speaking Autistics. In a recent paper, researcher Vikram ... more

5 Aug 2026 • 43 min

How to Work in Collaboration With Your PDA Clients with Stacey Curnow

Ever wondered how to apply Dr. Ross Green's model of Collaborative & Proactive Solutions to your work with PDA clients? Today's guest, AuDHD mental health therapist Stacey Curnow, is writing a book about it with Dr. Green's collaboration and oversigh... more

15 Jul 2026 • 56 min

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Recent Guests

Mel Houser

Family physician and founder/executive director of All Brains Belong Vermont

All Brains Belong Vermont

Episode: Systems Let Autistic People Down, But They Don't Have To. Here's How To Change It

Dr. Vikram Jaswal

Developmental psychologist, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cognition and Development

University of Virginia

Episode: Who Gets to Be Heard? The Case For Researching Assisted Methods to Autistic Communication

Stacey Kernow

Audi-HD-er, family therapist and founder of Asheville Family Counseling

Asheville Family Counseling

Episode: How to Work in Collaboration With Your PDA Clients with Stacey Curnow

Diane Gould

Founder and executive director of PDA North America

PDA North America

Episode: Safety, Trust, & Authenticity: How PDA Experiences Can Inform Our Practices with Diane Gould, Ruth Hevelone, and Michele Kleinmann

Ruth Hevelone

Late diagnosed ADHD, PDA, parent advocate, and community member

PDA North America

Episode: Safety, Trust, & Authenticity: How PDA Experiences Can Inform Our Practices with Diane Gould, Ruth Hevelone, and Michele Kleinmann

Michele Kleinmann

Co-author of the PDA Experience Report and health communication researcher

PDA North America

Episode: Safety, Trust, & Authenticity: How PDA Experiences Can Inform Our Practices with Diane Gould, Ruth Hevelone, and Michele Kleinmann

Dani Donovan

Author of The Anti-Planner; ADHD advocate and educator

ADHD advocate; antiplaner.com

Episode: Tools That Get Neurodivergent Folks Through Feeling Stuck, Overwhelmed, Unmotivated, Disorganized, and Discouraged with Dani Donovan

Bowen Marshall

AudiHD psychotherapist, PhD, LPCC

Private practice; expert on autism and ADHD co-occurrence

Episode: When Your Client Needs Novelty & Routines All At Once: Supporting AuDHDers with Dr. Bowen Marshall, LPCC, PhD

Matt Lowry

Autistic Licensed Psychological Practitioner

Autistic Voice Project / Autistic Centered Therapy (Autistic Voice Project)

Episode: When Your Autistic Client Also Has OCD, Depression, Anxiety or Other Co-Occurrences: Affirming, Person-Centered Practices with Matt Lowry, LPP

Host

Meg Farrell

Host of multiple neurodiversity-focused programs and shows, including ongoing work with Learn Play Thrive and broader neurodiversity advocacy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 466 ratings

Great Resource
As a therapist and coach who works with neurodiverse adult clients, I love this podcast. I love listening, as well as recommending it to to my clients.
Apple Podcasts
5
Dr. Nicole Theron Parkes
United States6 months ago
Moving us all forward
This podcast got me through my first years as a clinician and continues to help me become the practitioner that I want to be. I’ve taken something useable from every episode I’ve listened to. And, I was moved to write a review after listening to the episodes featuring Dr. Gillian Boudreau. I loved every word. I appreciated the offering that working toward our own liberation and freedom as clinicians will help us as we join clients on their journey to be their authentic selves. But, it seemed lik... more
Apple Podcasts
5
ResonantSpeech
United Statesa year ago
I'm not directly a practitioner working with autistic clients (such as ot or slp). However, as a swim instructor who works with lots of autistic kiddos, and as a mom of an autistic kiddo, i love hearing ways we can be affirming in helping kids thrive in many areas of life!
Podcast Addict
5
VileT
2 years ago
Thank you!
You are amazing ❤️
Apple Podcasts
5
Divergent Minds
United Kingdom3 years ago
Excellent resource for understanding autism from a neurodiversity affirming perspective
This is a regular inclusion on my list of psychoeducational resources I provide in my neurodiversity affirming evaluations I complete with children. I love the introduction of a variety of topics and how it helps direct me to other resources I can also direct families to.
María Pitale, PsyD
Licensed psychologist specializing in autism evaluations
Apple Podcasts
5
María Pitale, PsyD
United States3 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audiences note the emphasis on autistic voices and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

Listeners praise the show for credible, research-informed discussions.

Hosts and guests are commended for vulnerability and practical takeaways.

Many describe it as transformative for clinical practice and family support.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#29	United States/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#27	Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#70	United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#15	Australia/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#157	Germany/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#19	South Africa/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Systems Let Autistic People Down, But They Don't Have To. Here's How To Change It

Q: What are the four key takeaways you want providers to walk away with?

Healthcare is more than medical care; solutions come from those closest to the problem; universal design offers multiple participation paths; and safety is essential for meaningful participation. These form the backbone of their approach to care and community programs.

Who Gets to Be Heard? The Case For Researching Assisted Methods to Autistic Communication

Q: How do lived experiences of non-speaking autistic individuals inform this research?

Lived experiences highlight the importance of supportive, trusting environments and the perception of competence, showing that with years of supportive learning and appropriate prompts, many individuals can achieve independent typing and meaningful communication, which informs how research should be designed.

Who Gets to Be Heard? The Case For Researching Assisted Methods to Autistic Communication

Q: What are assisted methods and why have they been controversial?

Assisted methods refer to various supports used during learning to type, which can involve back-and-forth physical support or prompts. They are controversial because of concerns about whether the learner is genuinely producing communication or merely echoing the facilitator's input, raising questions about influence and autonomy.

Tools That Get Neurodivergent Folks Through Feeling Stuck, Overwhelmed, Unmotivated, Disorganized, and Discouraged with Dani Donovan

Q: How can providers use these ideas in sessions with clients of different ages?

By modeling curiosity, play, and nonshaming exploration, providers can help clients identify their interests, co-create goals, and practice self-advocacy—translating inside-work strategies into practical steps with real-world relevance.

Tools That Get Neurodivergent Folks Through Feeling Stuck, Overwhelmed, Unmotivated, Disorganized, and Discouraged with Dani Donovan

Q: Why is the anti-planner more effective than traditional executive-function supports?

The anti-planner acknowledges that one size does not fit all; it offers a range of strategies tailored to different barriers (stuck, overwhelmed, unmotivated, disorganized, discouraged) and lets users switch between tools as needed, reducing the shame and failure cycle commonly seen with single-solution approaches.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A professional-focused show delivering evidence-based perspectives and lived experiences around neurodivergent clients. Episodes span research debates on assisted communication, practical collaboration with families and schools, and therapies that affirm autistic and PDA identities. A standout is how guests fuse academic rigor with real-world applications, offering actionable strategies for clinicians, educators, and parents to support authentic wellbeing and self-advocacy. The format often centers on collaborative, trauma-informed approaches, neurodiversity-affirming care, and systemic issues in education and therapy, making it a valuable resource for those shaping services for neurodivergent individuals.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Uniquely Human: The Podcast
2. Neurodiversity Podcast
3. Full-Tilt Parenting: Strategies, Insights, and Connection for Parents Raising Neurodivergent Children
4. Beautifully Complex
5. The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 127 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Mel Houser
2. Dr. Vikram Jaswal
3. Stacey Kernow
4. Diane Gould
5. Ruth Hevelone
6. Michele Kleinmann
7. Dani Donovan
8. Bowen Marshall

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