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Rethinking Communication On-Demand Course

Instructor

Staci Neustadt
MS CCC-SLP/ CEO Making Sense of Autism

Instructor

Susan Goluubock
M.Ed Founder

  • CE Hours 0.1
  • Price $40
  • Format Live
  • Duration 1
$40.00
ON DEMAND

Course Description

This training invites educators and therapists to shift from a compliance-based lens to a relationship- and meaning-based perspective by recognizing all forms of communication, including behaviors, as valid. Using a neuro-affirming, total communication lens, participants will learn to recognize diverse communicative expressions and understand how neurological differences impact how autistic individuals express themselves.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

List six valid communication modes used by autistic individuals, including vocalizations, verbal/growth-based speech, gestures/body language, object/image use, typing/spelling, and behavior.
Describe how neurological differences can affect communication style, intent, and ability, and identify involuntary behaviors and intentional actions related to unmet needs or stress.
Define common myths related to communication support (e.g., AAC delaying speech).
Tell two inclusive strategies that promote authentic, multimodal expression for autistic individuals.

Completion requirements

Participants have to:

  • Watching the full course to earn credit-attendance for the entire session is required.
  • Complete a formal assessment after watching the entire course
  • Consisting of 5 questions
  • 80% pass rate
  • Maximum 3 attempts
  • Submit your feedback (available after the course)
  • No partial credits - you must meet all requirements to receive your completion certificate and ASHA CEUs “if applicable”
  • Submission unlocks only after watching the entire course.

Who is this for

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Speech Therapists
  • Speech Therapy Assistants
  • Special education teachers
  • Education Specialists

Also suitable for

  • Psychologists/Mental Health Professionals
  • Behavioral Therapists/Behavioral Professionals

Time Ordered Agenda:

  • 00:00 – 05:00

Introductions & Objectives

  • Overview of the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism (NSBSA) framework
  • Presenter backgrounds
  • 05:00 – 15:00

Redefining Communication

  • Total communication lens
  • Six communication modes (vocalizations, verbal speech, gestures, objects/images, typing, behavior)
  • 15:00 – 30:00

Behavior as Communication

  • Neurological differences behind behavior
  • Voluntary vs. involuntary responses
  • Common misinterpretations
  • 30:00 – 45:00

Purpose of Communication

  • Six functions of communication
  • How communication is shaped by experience, regulation, and sensory input
  • 45:00 – 60:00

Debunking Common Myths

  • AAC readiness and replacement myths
  • Importance of multimodal approaches

Meet The Speaker

Staci Neustadt

MS CCC-SLP/ CEO Making Sense of Autism
Staci Neustadt, CEO of Making Sense of Autism®, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 20 years of experience providing individual and group therapy, training, mentorship, and leadership. In 2019, Staci joined Susan in developing the Neuro Strengths Based Support for Autism framework. Staci is passionate about creating a paradigm shift for therapists to holistically support autistic clients and for autistic clients to feel seen and heard as they build on their strengths and contribute their gifts to their community. Staci’s passion is in the area of AAC and believes every individual should be seen and heard.

“Professional Affiliations and Previous Presentations”

  • Staci have presented Autism conferences over the US. In addition, Staci has presented on AAC at ATIA and Closing the Gap.

Susan Goluubock

M.Ed Founder
Susan is a retired occupational therapist. She received her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University in 1968 and Masters of Education degree in special education technology in 1995. She was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum in 1999. Most of her career has been spent in school-based practice. Susan has been a keynote speaker and presenter at various conferences. Susan developed the Neuro-Strengths Based Support for Autism Framework which comes from her personal experience as an autistic individual and professional experience as an occupational therapist who worked with autistic clients. She grew up trying to “be like everyone else;” she succeeded in masking but at the cost of never developing a sense of “self” which led to symptoms of post traumatic stress. When she was finally diagnosed in her early 50’s, she learned that there were other options of how to think and behave, which radically changed her life for the better. Susan’s passion is to educate parents and professionals so the autistic individuals in their lives are understood.

“Professional Affiliations and Previous Presentations”

  • Susan have presented Autism conferences over the US. In addition, Staci has presented on AAC at ATIA and Closing the Gap.

Disclosures

Financial

  • Staci has co - developed the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework.
  • Staci Neustadt receives payment for training on the framework.
  • Staci Neustadt is the CEO of Making Sense of Autism
  • Staci Neustadt is receiving a speaking fee from ReadySetConnect.
  • Susan has co - developed the Neuro-Strengths-Based Support for Autism Framework.
  • Susan Goluubock receives payment for training on the framework.
  • Susan Goluubock is the founder of Making Sense of Autism
  • Susan Goluubock is receiving a speaking fee from ReadySetConnect.

This event is offered for 0.1 contact hour. 0.1 ASHA CEUs at an Introductory level

No prerequisites required for this course.

This course was launched in August 2025. Upon purchase, access to all course materials is granted for five (5) years from the launch date. Course content will remain accessible through your profile while logged in, until August 2030.

Refund policy

  • Once payment is made, refunds are not available if you decide not to attend the course
  • Full refund or the option for crediting your account will be available should the course be cancelled by ReadySetConnect/speaker for any unforeseen reason

Special Requests

Special accommodations may be requested.

Please email education@readysetconnect.com indicating your special needs and accommodation requests.

Compliance Policy

For any compliance concerns or complaints, please reach out to diana@readysetconnect.com. All submissions will be reviewed and addressed, within two working days. Records will be retained in accordance with our policy.

FAQs

ReadySetConnect is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF certified, and PCI-secure. We sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with every account on every plan. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Your data is always yours.

ReadySetConnect is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF certified, and PCI-secure. We sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with every account on every plan. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Your data is always yours.

ReadySetConnect is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF certified, and PCI-secure. We sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with every account on every plan. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Your data is always yours.

ReadySetConnect is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF certified, and PCI-secure. We sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with every account on every plan. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Your data is always yours.

ReadySetConnect is HIPAA-compliant, HITRUST CSF certified, and PCI-secure. We sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with every account on every plan. All client data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Your data is always yours.

See What Participants Are Saying

5.0
Total 4 Ratings
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MC
Melissa Cooper
3 months ago
An excellent course for anyone working with neurodivergent individuals. The content was compassionate, evidence-informed, and practical. I left with concrete strategies for supporting authentic, multimodal communication without placing unrealistic expectations on clients.
RP
Rebecca Parker
3 months ago
As an OT working with autistic clients, this training was eye-opening. The emphasis on total communication and understanding neurological differences helped me rethink how I interpret behaviors in therapy sessions. I appreciated the clear discussion of myths around AAC and communication support.
CT
Christina Turner
3 months ago
This course completely shifted how I view communication. Moving away from compliance-based approaches toward a neuro-affirming, relationship-centered lens was both refreshing and necessary. The breakdown of communication modes, especially behavior as communication, was incredibly validating for the clients I support.
MS
Michael Smith
8 months ago
This course offers a transformative approach to understanding communication, especially in neurodiverse individuals. By shifting from a compliance-based perspective to a relationship- and meaning-based lens, it emphasizes the validity of all communication forms, including behaviors.

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Contact: education@readysetconnect.com

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