Episode #282: Using Self-video Modeling in Therapy with Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy & Rinat Hitelman

What if our learners could practice success before they ever step into the real moment?

I’m bringing you a conversation that completely reframed the way I think about video modeling, independence, and skill building. We’re talking all about self-video modeling and how technology is creating more personalized, neurodiversity-affirming ways to support communication, daily living skills, and behavior regulation.

Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy and Rinat Hitelman share how their work with The Babel Group and Wide Therapy is helping clinicians bridge the gap between therapy and real-world implementation. What stood out to me most was the idea of helping learners visualize themselves already succeeding. Whether it’s requesting a favorite snack, transitioning between activities, completing vocational tasks, or building communication skills, this approach focuses on possibility and confidence instead of correction.

I also loved hearing how self-video modeling can support learners who may not yet be able to demonstrate a skill independently in real life. By creating personalized visual rehearsals, clinicians and families can give learners repeated exposure to success in a calm, supportive way that feels meaningful and functional.

This conversation reminded me why I’ve always loved using video modeling in therapy. It’s practical, engaging, and incredibly empowering for our students across ages and settings.

#autism #speechtherapy

Today’s Guest:

Dr. Rachel Khasky-Levy, SLPD, CCC-SLP, is the CEO and co-founder of The Babel Group. With over 18 years of clinical experience, she brings together deep therapeutic knowledge and a passion for innovation to bridge clinical practice and technology. Her work focuses on empowering therapists with inclusive tools that transform care delivery and expand access to meaningful, person-centered healthcare. She is equally committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing communication tools that help them achieve their goals and express themselves with confidence.

Rinat Hitelman, BCBA, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wide Therapy, a patented digital platform that enables neurodiverse children and adults to independently practice and master real-world life skills through personalized self-simulation. With years of experience in clinical care and program development in autism and developmental services, Rinat has worked directly with hundreds of families, therapists, and educational teams, translating deep hands-on expertise into scalable digital innovation.

Her work is centered on bridging the gap between ability and everyday functioning, designing tools that allow individuals to build confidence, independence, and functional skills in environments that are calm, familiar, and personalized to them. Since its founding, Wide Therapy has grown into a data-driven health technology platform used across therapeutic, educational, and medical settings, advancing a new model of accessible, outcome-oriented care for neurodiverse populations.

What’s Inside: