Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapeutic Practice for the Autistic Population

This course guides the audience through the elements of neurodiversity-affirming evidence-based therapeutic speech-language intervention for the autistic population. Communication, pragmatic, sensory, motor, executive functioning, and emotional regulatory differences are discussed as they pertain to autistic individuals. Ethical therapy practices as well as potentially trauma-inducing practices that providers need to be aware of when working with this population are examined.

Explore Course

Presenters

Rachel Dorsey
M.S., CCC-SLP
Rachel Dorsey, MS, CCC-SLP is an autistic SLP who offers parent coaching, professional consultations, and courses regarding communication, feeding, and overall regulation in a person-centered and affirming approach. Rachel has been published or recorded for the ASHA Voices Podcast, ASHA Leader, The Neurodivergent Collective, The STAR Institute 2021 Virtual Summit for Sensory Processing in Autism and is an invited speaker at the ASHA 2021 Convention.

Learning Objectives

Define neurodiversity and the neurodiversity paradigm.
Give examples of neurodiversity-aligned therapeutic practices that take into consideration autistic clients' unique profiles.
Discuss the role of possible inadvertent trauma during the therapeutic relationship and how to avoid possible trauma.
Incorporate autistic communication, pragmatic, sensory, motor, executive functioning, and emotional regulatory differences into neurodiversity-affirming speech-language intervention.

Agenda

15 minutes	Neurodiversity and the Neurodiversity Paradigm
30 minutes	Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice
15 minutes	Ethical Practices and Trauma

Disclosures

Speakers - Financial	Rachel Dorsey (she/her) is receiving financial compensation from brIQht media, dba brIQht ideas, for this presentation.
Speakers - Nonfinancial	Rachel Dorsey has no relevant nonfinancial relationship to disclose.
Course - Financial Support & In Kind	This course, and all courses in The Equity Series, are being sponsored by Having Our Say, LLC and SLP Toolkit.

ASHA

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level, Professional Area

Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapeutic Practice for the Autistic Population: $25.00
Your purchase includes access to (1) recorded course and submittal of your participation to the ASHA registry. *You must opt-in and add your ASHA credentials after completing all course steps by the 15th of the month after you view the course.

Add-ons

Foundations of Communication Series (Entire Series)

$95.00

Support students with complex communication needs through this three-course bundle designed for speech-language pathologists and educators. Learn how to gather meaningful assessment data, apply the SETT framework for assistive technology decisions, and create communication-rich environments that align with educational standards. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, these courses provide practical tools and strategies to enhance communication across the academic day. Includes access to all three recorded courses and optional ASHA reporting.