top of page
Search

Neuroaffirming Speech Therapy: Supporting Kids as They Are, Not as We Expect Them to Be

  • Writer: Vicki Chia Hui Lin, M.S., CCC-SLP
    Vicki Chia Hui Lin, M.S., CCC-SLP
  • Jun 16
  • 4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago


We all know kids are not tiny adults. They’re wild, wonderful, curious little humans who will absolutely teach us as much as we teach them. And when we work with neurodivergent children in speech therapy, our job isn't to "fix" them. It's to support them, affirm them, and help them communicate in a way that feels authentic, comfortable, and empowering.


That’s where neuroaffirming speech therapy comes in, and it’s not just a buzzword. It's a shift in mindset that says: "You're not broken. You're brilliant. Let's work with your brain, not against it."


What Does “Neuroaffirming” Actually Mean?

Neuroaffirming practices are rooted in the understanding that neurodivergence (like autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences) is not something to be cured because it’s not an illness. It's a different way of experiencing the world. Just like some of us like pineapple on pizza (controversial, I know) and some of us have taste, neurodivergence is a natural and valid variation in the human brain.


In pediatric speech therapy, being neurodiversity affirming means:

  • Respecting all communication methods whether it's spoken words, AAC, gestures, echolalia, or scripting from "Bluey."

  • Ditching harmful goals like “eliminate stimming” or “make more eye contact.”

  • Creating safe, sensory friendly spaces where kids can be themselves - wiggles, flaps, and all.

  • Collaborating with kids and families instead of trying to fit them into a mold made in 1983.


But Wait - Can We Still Work on Speech and Language Goals?

Absolutely. Neuroaffirming doesn’t mean we stop working on communication. It means we redefine how and why we work on it.

A neuroaffirming approach might look like:

  • Helping a child expand their vocabulary through their special interest in bugs, Dungeons and Dragons, or birds (yes, I’ve done all three).

  • Supporting self advocacy by teaching phrases like “I need a break” or “I don’t like that.”

  • Valuing nonverbal communication just as much as verbal because communication is more than just words. (Seriously, a child can give you the look that says “no broccoli” without saying a word.)


Let’s Talk About Goals (the Therapy Kind, Not the Soccer Kind)

In a neurodivergent affirming practice, goals are written with the child in mind, not just for them. That might mean:

  • Replacing “will maintain eye contact for 5 seconds” with “will engage in joint attention in ways comfortable for them.”

  • Replacing “will use appropriate tone of voice” with “will be understood and respected when expressing emotions.”

In other words, we’re not trying to make kids sound “more typical.” We’re trying to make sure they feel heard.


A Gentle Reminder (with Love and Snacks)

If you're a therapist, educator, or parent, here's your gentle reminder: neurodiversity affirming therapy isn't about perfection. You're going to make mistakes. You might focus on something that, in hindsight, makes you cringe a little. That’s okay. Growth isn’t linear. Neither is learning. It's just like hiking, as you hike toward the top of the hill, you go through ups and downs, but you are still heading toward your goal.

What matters is that you’re trying to do better. That you’re listening to their voices. That you’re honoring kids' autonomy. And yes, that you’re always keeping Goldfish crackers on hand—because let’s be honest, they're the universal currency of pediatric speech-language therapy.



Final Thoughts

Neurodivergent affirming speech therapy is more than a strategy. It’s a commitment to showing up with respect, empathy, and curiosity. It’s about saying, “I see you. I value you. You don’t have to change who you are to be worthy of support.” Hence, finding the right SLP for you and your family would be crucial in your child's progress.

And that, dear reader, is something worth talking about.


Additional Resources



We provide virtual speech therapy visits/telehealth visits in California, and in home services in Montrose, La Crescenta, La Canada, and Pasadena, CA areas.


If you are curious about gender affirming voice training, check out our other blog on the subject.


We wish you only better voice days ahead! The Chat Room Therapy - Where Voice is Found.


Learn more about speech-language-voice-cognitive-swallow therapy or what we do as speech language pathologists, and our in home and virtual private speech therapy settings:

call/text us at 818.823.8022 or email us at hello@thechatroomtherapy.com.


We also provide speech therapy in Mandarin Chinese. 中文/國語語言治療




Vicki Chia Hui Lin, M.S., CCC-SLP

Founder, The Chat Room Therapy


Vicki is a California licensed and American Speech Language and Hearing Association certified speech language pathologist. She is a highly accomplished and award-winning Speech-Language Pathologist with extensive experience with both adults and children, with particular specialties in gender affirming voice therapy, adult voice disorders, post stroke or head and neck cancer related voice, communication, cognitive, and swallow difficulties.  Vicki has received various accolades, and is recognized for her excellence in patient care, life participation therapy approaches, and leadership in the field.


 


Comments

bottom of page