Autistic SLT

03/03/2026

This blog post was written 4 years ago by myself and my friend and colleague Elaine McGreevy:

www.divergentperspectives.co.uk/post/we-need-to-talk-about-ableism-in-education

It shocks me that everything we wrote back then is still so present now. 4 years on, families I support are fighting the same battles. It feels like so little has changed for children.

Since writing that blog I’ve become a parent. And that has shifted everything. I no longer see this solely through the lens of advocacy or professional reflection. The conversations feel more personal and the emotional labour feels heavier. I now see the reality of it from a whole new perspective - someone navigating these systems for my own child.

We often talk about The Double Empathy Problem, but what about The Triple Empathy Problem; between Autistic children, non-autistic professionals, and parents trying to bridge that gap, while also being unheard themselves.

The same patterns.
The same narratives.
The same misunderstandings.
The same harm.

We should not have to keep saying this.

What is Ableism? What are the harms? 30 examples of ableist practices within school and education settings for Neurodivergent / Autistic individuals. Free download of PDF graphic "Ableism Checklist"

02/03/2026

I'm going to do something scary and actually put myself out there properly to book for training! On my website you can find details of how to book me, and what my current training looks like (as of right now, it is just my video on situational mutism but I am open to expanding my training resources).

If this is of interest to you or anyone/any organisations/settings you know then feel free to get in touch via my website or email and we can talk :)

My fees will be based on past trainings and recommendations by colleagues who have experience in this line of work, also recognising that though my presentation is primarily a video, the time and effort put into my work is just as valuable as mouth word presenters/trainers (though I am flexible with my fees depending on budgets).

Note that I am not a public speaker by profession. But the content I deliver and information I have to offer is worth more than how confidently I can speak in front of people.

I will put the link to my website in the comments. Hopefully I will see you all out in the world some day!

27/02/2026

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

26/02/2026

📣 Bookings open from April 2026

I offer a range of speech and language therapy services for neurodivergent children, young people, and adults:

🗣️ Communication Assessments
💬 Therapy Sessions
💡 Advice Sessions for parents and carers
🤝 Consultations & supervision
📚 Training
🐻 programme
🎯 Dyspraxia Programme for Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

Website - www.autisticslt.com/speech-language-services-fees
Email - autisticslt@gmail.com

I offer a range of services including FREE therapy consultations, £75 per hour for professional consultations and supervision, bespoke training packages, £280 for adult communication assessments. Sliding scales for autistic people and families / charities.

25/02/2026

An autistic toddler who has hit all of her developmental milestones on time has realised she may have unintentionally shot herself in the foot.

Lottie Fitzgerald, three, displays a number of typical autistic traits – although her attempts at mimicking neurotypical communication have completely fooled family members and nursery staff. Instead, her sensitive, introspective nature and intense obsessions with dolls and books have earned her the title of “clever little sweetie princess”.

Fitzgerald said: “I thought that childhood was a game that I had to win, so I’ve been doggedly copying everyone around me. Now, everyone thinks I’m normal, except they all still seem to hate me a little bit, for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on.”

Fitzgerald’s father, Noah Michaels, 38, said: “Lottie likes to kick up a fuss whenever we go out, screams with rage whenever we give her baked beans and knows everything there is to know about Louis XVI. Other than that, she’s a typical happy little girl.”

When told she would probably have to wait until adulthood for a diagnosis, Fitzgerald muttered something about the failures of modern psychiatry before going off to microwave one of her Barbies.

Read more: https://thedailytism.com/autistic-toddler-hitting-all-developmental-milestones-realises-shes-inadvertently-f**ked-it/

23/02/2026

A teacher who encouraged an autistic child to speak up more in class is beginning to question the wisdom of that directive, it has been reported.

Abeer Zaki, seven, was described as “quiet” in her last school report by teacher Eddie Albington, 46, who reportedly subscribes to the belief that any child who doesn’t jump at the chance to participate in a class discussion is some sort of freak.

According to Albington, Zaki has since taken the note to heart and has now committed to at least one TED Talk-worthy outburst every day.

Albington said: “I was reading this book to the class about a charming little pug who learns the true meaning of friendship through sharing his treats, but Abeer’s hand shot up to ask about the ethics of creating a dog whose face is so squashed it can’t safely fly in a cargo hold. I spent all of Parents’ Evening explaining to angry mums and dads why their kids came home asking about inbreeding.”

“Then there was the time I could barely get through a science lesson without hearing Abeer lament that we could send billionaires to space but not provide a universal basic income. I could barely teach astronomy over the sound of thirty children developing class consciousness.”

Zaki said: “I’m doing what Mr Albington asked, so why does he look so tired? It’s probably because the way we treat teachers in the UK is a disgrace.”

Read more: https://thedailytism.com/teacher-who-told-autistic-child-to-speak-up-really-beginning-to-regret-it/

22/02/2026

22/02/2026

Sound Cradles are becoming my new favourite way to regulate my nervous system. Think a sound bath while being suspended in a cocoon; the fabric sling provides compression and containment (amazing proprioceptive feedback).

Thanks Transcend Studios ❤️

21/02/2026

Please understand this: Your nervous system does not need “fixing”. It needs safety, above all else.

When someone rushes in to take away your pain or your doubts, even with love, your body can hear, “There is something wrong with me.”

So you tense. You shrink. You feel small, broken, incapable, unseen.

When we try to fix someone, we can deepen their shame and hopelessness without meaning to.

Instead, offer your deep presence to a friend in crisis! Your listening. Your steadiness. Your open heart.

That is often what heals, and what brings us home to ourselves. Not quick fixes. Not judgements. Not answers. But the kind of presence that does not turn away from pain.

It stays. And it changes the world.

- Jeff Foster

14/02/2026

🥞🌲 Half Term Pancake Special! 🌲🥞

Join us this Tuesday 17th for a delicious pancake treat, family Forest School fun, and plenty of woodland adventures!
We’ll be cooking over the campfire, exploring nature, and enjoying time together in the fresh air.

Perfect for little explorers and their grown-ups who love getting muddy and making memories outdoors.

✨ Spaces are limited – head to our website to book your place!

12/02/2026

10/02/2026

Thanks for a great forest school session this morning 🌳 Forest Frontiers C.I.C