During my time as a Speech Pathologist, I have had too many families seek out my services and when asked why they need Speech Pathology support, state that their child is Autistic. When asked for further information to come up with Speech Pathology goals, parents either come up blank or bring up areas such as not making enough eye contact, being “blunt” or having back and forth conversations around topics of interest to the parent. While these things might be concerning to a well meaning parent, they aren't necessarily areas which need "treatment" at all.
Autism does not need to be treated, nor does Autistic characteristics. In order for therapy to be neurodiversity affirming, the therapist needs to understand the core characteristics of Autism. Autistic people communicate and socialise differently, and attempting to treat these differences leads to masking and long term mental health challenges.
Instead, neurodiversity affirming speech therapy respects Autistic identity and focuses on improving an individual's ability to interact with others in the way they so choose. This can look like:
Understanding behaviour is communication
Providing unrestricted AAC access and modelling with no expectation
Teaching self advocacy and how to establish and maintain boundaries
Perspective taking for the individual and the people around them
Provide neutral information to navigate self-identified social situations
Safe vs unsafe language, friend/friendly/non-friend language
Problem solving
Narrative frameworks
Target self determined goals which are important to the Autistic individual
In a neurodivergent affirming therapy session, you will see your therapist engage the client in client centred and client led activities. Goals targeted will be client centred, not based on neurotypical norms and won’t be used in a way which pathologizes Autistic traits e.g. monotropism . At all times, parties respect body autonomy and personal agency and always presume competency.
By conducting Speech Pathology sessions in this way, you can be sure that you're focusing on areas which are meaningful to your client.
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