OK, I know it’s been a minute, but I’m back at work after the Summer Break and this was too important to ignore…

Kindergartener quote of the day: “You can’t do that. It’s just like high-fiving yourself. That’s just clapping, that doesn’t help!”

You’re welcome. ☺️ #schoolbasedslp #slp

It’s happened! I have been asked to be a judge at my school’s Spelling Bee. 🐝

After over 40 years of honing my gift as a human spell check for my family and friends, I have finally been called up to the big leagues! 🥹

I won’t let you down, people. I will judge the heck out of those kids’ spelling!

Rather than “not all behaviour is communication” it would be better (and true) to say “not all behaviour is intentional communication”.

Presuming competence should err on the side of assuming the behaviour IS communicative, and *assess* to determine if likely to be *intentional* communication.

Coming out of the Post-Christmas stupor is crazy. I spent 5 days barely moving from my couch, binge-watching “Ink Master”, and now I have to… Go to the store? Prepare for a work presentation? Take my kid to get new glasses? Go to a hair appointment? Wear shoes AND real pants? What the damn hell?

Some of my favorite books about Autism:

“Uniquely Human” - Barry Prizant

“Life, Animated” - Ron Suskind

“Unmasking Autism” - Devon Price

Accessible, super informative, and the authors provide very helpful perspective shifts on how we look at Autism.

Vaccines don't cause autism.

Autism is genetic. Autistics are wired differently and have been around for over 200k years. You need us. All efforts to eradicate us are genocidal impulses.

So let your kids get vaccines and not die of smallpox or polio or whatever.

With the impending holidays and obligatory gatherings, remember: There is no shame in advocating for yourself and accommodating your own needs. Noise-cancelling headphones? Yes, please! Quiet corner for sensory breaks? Yep! Leave as soon as your social battery is low? YES! #Neurodivergent

New: “I was diagnosed as autistic in my mid-forties. This understanding has brought clarity to my life but also deep grief—it came too late to prevent years of harm. The mental health system mistook my needs for a personality flaw.” Fab article on #AutismNotPD calling for action tinyurl.com/33frdyab

Thanksgiving PSA: Eating pie alone in your car to get away from the overstimulating craziness that is your whole family in one room, talking over each other, playing guitars, singing, and playing games ALL. AT. ONCE. is self care. No explanations. Just…disappear. With pie. #Neurodivergent

Being an Elementary School-based SLP is wild. I’m in my office, it’s the day before Thanksgiving break, and I hear various forms of unrelenting chaos echoing throughout the halls. Kids are everywhere and nowhere. It’s only going to get crazier in December. Check on your teacher friends. Seriously!

PSA: If anyone out there in the LGBTQ+ community is having a hard time this holiday season because your family can’t get on board with you living as your authentic self, I’m your family now. Tell me all of your wins from this year - I’ll celebrate with you! ❤️🏳️‍🌈