Choosing A Speech & Language Therapist

NeuroWild title panel. Two small birds (pink and blue) fly above a rainbow arching behind a smiling sun peeking over a lilac cloud, with green grass below. Text in the cloud: 'How can you tell if your Speechie is RIGHT for your Autistic child?' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel with a rainbow, sun and white cloud over a light blue sky and grass. Text in the cloud: 'The most important thing is that your Speechie is NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING.' with 'NEURODIVERSITY' and 'AFFIRMING' underlined. The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A lilac banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WILL' with white stars. Two blobs: 'Teach you and your child about neurodiversity, and how Autism is its own neurotype.' and 'Prioritise your child's comfort & wellbeing, and help them develop a positive Autistic identity.' A blue banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WON'T'. Two items marked with red X: 'Tell you Autism is a condition to be 'reduced', 'managed', 'battled', or 'cured'.' and 'Tell you that Autism is a defective/disordered brain.' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A lilac banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WILL' with white stars. Three cloud-shaped blobs joined by rainbows: 'Support your child's language development through modelling, play, child-led activities, and building authentic connections.' 'Respect your child's right to bodily autonomy, right to say 'no', and right to choose how & when to interact.' 'Encourage & facilitate a robust total communication system.' A small blue bird carries a banner reading 'And encourage self-advocacy!' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A lilac banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WILL' with white stars. Blobs: 'Teach you & your child about Autistic communication styles, & how they may differ from neurotypical communication styles.' 'Explain that Autistics have their own set of social skills which are often unfamiliar to neurotypical folk.' 'Explain the Double Empathy Problem' A blue banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WON'T'. 'Teach your child:' followed by red X items 'eye contact', 'facial expressions', 'body language', 'inflection', 'NT conversation patterns', 'full-body listening'. A blue note reads 'This is called Masking.' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A blue banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WON'T'. Seven connected light blue boxes: 'Withhold toys, turns, or breaks to buy compliance'; 'Use hand-over-hand or physical prompts with your child'; 'Write goals about behaviour management'; 'Write social skills goals.'; 'Work to reduce stimming or other Autistic traits.'; 'Expect your child to tolerate uncomfortable or distressing situations'; 'Measure your child against neurotypical milestones & traits.' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A lilac banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WILL' with white stars. Two items with small pink bird icons: 'Recognise that much of the Autism information we received at university was inaccurate & harmful.' and 'Prioritise the voices & lived experience of Autistic people when determining goals & best practice.' A blue banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WON'T'. Two items marked with red X: 'Continue working the same way that they have done for the last ten years.' and 'Use methodology that the Autistic community has spoken out against.' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel. A lilac banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WILL' with white stars. Three cloud blobs: 'Be learning how to support Gestalt Language Processors & acquisition'; 'Be learning how dysregulation affects executive function skills'; 'Work with your family & school on accommodations'. A blue banner reads 'A neurodiversity-affirming SPEECHIE WON'T'. Two items marked with red X: 'Insist on verbal speech' and 'Say that you need to teach your child to 'toughen up' & get used to things they don't like'. The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

NeuroWild panel with a rainbow behind a blue cloud and grass at the bottom. Heading: 'IMPORTANT'. Text in the cloud: 'Some people may not feel safe unmasking. This is often experienced in the BIPOC community, and reflects deep systemic issues of racism & colonialism. Members of these communities may consider masking to be an unfortunate but necessary skill to have, in order to keep their children safe. It is recommended that Parents in this position are always present for sessions, and insist on neurodiversity-affirming practice whenever possible.' The NeuroWild logo is at the bottom right.

About The Artist

NeuroWild is a comic strip series created by Emily Hammond. Emily is a speech pathologist with ADHD and Autism herself and a proud mother to neurodivergent children. Click here to learn more about the artists we promote and how to support their work.