What If It’s Not Behavior? Understanding Whole Body Apraxia in Autism with Dr. Dana Johnson
About this episode
Sarah Kernion and Dr. Dana Johnson discuss whole body apraxia and its impact on communication in non-speaking autistic children.
Many parents of non-speaking autistic children carry a quiet certainty: my child understands more than they can show. In this episode of Inchstones, Sarah Kernion sits down with occupational therapist, researcher, and Spellers Method co-creator Dr. Dana Johnson to explore whole body apraxia, motor planning, communication, and why behavior may not tell the whole story. For years, families have been told to trust observable behaviors as the primary measure of understanding. Dr. Johnson challenges that assumption by explaining how motor planning differences can prevent autistic individuals from reliably demonstrating what they know, understand, or intend to communicate. Together, Sarah and Dr. Johnson discuss whole body apraxia, non-speaking autism, presuming competence, sensory regulation, motor coaching, and the ways parents are often dismissed when their observations don’t align with traditional clinical models. The conversation explores: * whole body apraxia and autism* non-speaking autism and communication* motor planning challenges* presuming competence* autism and regulation* maternal intuition and clinical observation* supporting autistic children beyond behavior-based…
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