PHOTO CREDIT: Katrin Bolovtsova
Episode 307
Krithika is a Northern California mom to an 11-year-old Autistic son who discovered DIRFloortime® after years of traditional therapy led to more frustration than progress. That shift changed everything. Now she is a passionate advocate for her son and a connector for other families, supporting parents through social groups and serving on a community advisory board to help improve systems of care for neurodivergent children and their families.
You can also subscribe on your preferred podcast app by searching, “We chose play from Affect Autism”
The Gleam in the Eye
I met Krithika at ICDL’s parent support meetings that I facilitate and her knowledge of Floortime jumped out at me immediately. Throughout the interview, you’ll see the gleam in her eyes as she shares her experience with how Floortime supported her parenting. Krithika is optimistic and hopeful as she discusses her journey with her son and her joy is contagious. I hope you enjoy this episode!
Episode Highlights
Here are some of the highlights of what Krithika shares in this episode:
- Krithika and her family were feeling helpless watching their son’s regression
- After a diagnosis and early intervention, something still seemed to be missing
- Krithika read, The Reason I Jump, and used a technique based on the book with her son that worked
- In between jobs, Krithika stayed home for 2 weeks and they saw a ton of progress so she decided to stay at home
- They began the Floortime coaching with Bridget Palmer
- They began sensory integration occupational therapy and speech therapy with a DIR-trained SLP and things started falling into place
- Krithika’s son is a non speaker who is using Touchat 60 Word Power to communicate
- Her son is doing great with his school work at grade level, has his own book club, a social group, friends, attends camps, and decides what he wants to do whether it’s swimming, music, or skiing at Achieve Tahoe or trips to Camp Chatterbox or Shine Bright Fitness
- Books that helped her son’s understanding of his differences: A Day With No Words, Flap Your Hands, and Too Much!
- Krithika describes the journey of learning and getting to know their son including co-regulating between his father’s ADHD and his Autism with activities like reading
- We discuss her son’s book club: how it started and its evolution and her plans to broaden its reach
Any therapy without relationship didn’t work for him.
This episode’s PRACTICE TIP:
Let’s reflect on the quality time we have with our child.
For example: Do we make time each day to spend time doing an activity our child loves to do with them and allow them the agency–in whatever way they can–to choose the activity?
Thank you to Krithika for sharing her journey with us. I hope that you found it valuable. If so, please consider sharing this episode on social media.
Until next time, here’s to choosing play and experiencing joy every day!
Thank you to Toronto recording artist Ayria for the intro/outro song permission.
