Episode 2: Feeling Drained? Here's Why You Don't Have to Actually Be "On" All The Time!

In this conversation, Nicole Casey discusses the challenges faced by speech therapists, particularly when working with autistic students. She highlights the performative nature of therapy sessions, where therapists feel the need to entertain and engage students at a high energy level. Nicole emphasizes the importance of authentic communication and co-regulation, advocating for a shift away from performance-based interactions to more genuine connections that allow for natural communication. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to better meet the needs of students without the pressure of constant performance.

Takeaways:

• Being a speech therapist can feel like a chaotic performance.

• Real progress in therapy is not about exhaustion.

• Communication should feel natural, not performative.

• Engagement with autistic students doesn't always require high energy.

• Therapists often feel pressured to be productive in every session.

• Silence can be a productive part of therapy.

• Authenticity leads to better communication outcomes.

• Co-regulation is key to connecting with students.

• Meeting students where they are enhances engagement.

• Therapy should focus on building connections, not entertaining.