Neuroaffirming in Real Life: Rethinking Goals, Language, and IEPs

In this SLP Summit sponsored episode, “power SLP couple” Jessie Ginsberg and Chris Wenger about what neurodiversity-affirming practice really looks like—in early intervention, in school-based IEPs, and at home with their five boys. They unpack identity-first language, the hidden cost of compliance-based goals, and practical ways SLPs can support autistic kids without asking them to be someone they’re not.

Explore Conversation

In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Lisa Kathman sits down with “power SLP couple” Jessie Ginsberg (sensory SLP) and Chris Wenger (speech dude) for a candid, funny, and deeply practical look at what it actually means to be neurodiversity-affirming.

Jessie shares the pivotal moment an autistic SLP publicly challenged her to use identity-first language—and how that comment “blew up” what she thought she knew from grad school. She walks through the messy, human process of unlearning person-first-only rules, intentionally following autistic creators, and reframing autism as an important part of identity rather than something to separate or “fix.”

From the school side, Chris pulls back the curtain on IEP reality. He describes behavior plans built around “planned ignoring,” social goals that quietly teach kids to mask, and what happens when a student’s favorite scripted phrase is treated as a problem instead of a bid for connection. He shares specific language he uses in meetings—“Help me understand…” and “I wonder if…”—to keep the focus on regulation, safety, and authentic communication.

Together, Jessie and Chris talk about raising their own neurodivergent kids, working across different settings, and the hopeful shifts they’re seeing in newer SLPs and grad programs. You’ll leave with practical ways to rethink goals, center autistic voices, and support students without asking them to be someone they’re not.

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Guests

Jessie Ginsberg
Globally known as the Sensory SLP, Jessie is a sensory trained speech-language pathologist & founder of Pediatric Therapy Playhouse, a top-rated clinic in Los Angeles. She has trained thousands of professionals through her international speaking, publications & Inside Out Sensory Certificate Programs. She is the co-founder of NeuroAffirm Therapy Academy, co-host of Making the Shift for Autistic Kids and author of the best selling book Ready Set Connect: A Sensory-Based Approach to Accelerate Communication in Autistic Children.
Chris Wanger
Chris Wanger is a neurodivergent high school speech-language pathologist of over 20 years and international speaker. A prominent thought leader in the field of speech pathology, Chris is passionate about helping autistic students build authentic connections, develop advocacy skills, and navigate social interactions in ways that honor their individuality and prioritize well-being. Known on social media as Speech Dude, he motivates and entertains fellow professionals through his humorous and inspiring posts and videos.

Learning Objectives

Describe how neurodiversity-affirming practices can be integrated across home, clinic, and school settings, with an emphasis on co-regulation, connection, and flexibility.
Explain the difference between person-first and identity-first language and summarize why many autistic people prefer identity-first language.
Identify traditional compliance-based goals (e.g., eliminating echolalia, forcing eye contact, scripted “social skills”) and contrast them with neuroaffirming goals that reduce masking and anxiety.

Neuroaffirming in Real Life: Rethinking Goals, Language, and IEPs with Jessie Ginsberg & Chris Wenger: FREE!
In this SLP Summit sponsored episode, “power SLP couple” Jessie Ginsberg and Chris Wenger about what neurodiversity-affirming practice really looks like—in early intervention, in school-based IEPs, and at home with their five boys. They unpack identity-first language, the hidden cost of compliance-based goals, and practical ways SLPs can support autistic kids without asking them to be someone they’re not. No ASHA CEUs are available for this episode.

Add-ons

SLP Summit Registration - Jan '26

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Get access to all 6 live courses (Jan 12-14, 2026) and their replays. You'll also get two 1-hr on-demand courses available upon registration. All courses will be available through Feb. 6, 2026.