Full Circle Communication Speech Language Pathology Services

11/26/2024

“Interoception was the missing piece”, Lynn Pankalla-Mother of neurodivergent child and “an ordinary but very motivated SLP”

Bringing this old post back because it asks such an important question: How do you advocate for less compliance and more regulation--especially when you feel like you are the only one in the room that believes in this imperative shift?

I was recently asked to help with a student---according to the referral he is a 17 year old autistic student who is currently "struggling" at school. He has been suspended multiple times this year for "aggressive and inappropriate behavior". Student has an IEP with Social Skills Goals and a recent FBA w/ updated Behavior Plan/Goals. Zero related services like speech or OT. Zero mention of supports for regulation, sensory, communication, predictability. Zero curiosity for his inner experience!!! When he becomes "aggressive" the plan is to get him to the "quiet room" which is a stark white room with nothing in it ("for safety of the student and staff" they say). If he continues to escalate and do things that “break school rules” he gets suspended. Every question I asked was met with a 'we tried that' or 'that would reinforce his behavior' or 'he needs to learn that this behavior is illegal, inappropriate, etc'. I felt so alone and activated in this meeting, but couldn’t stop thinking about how many million times worse this student might feel coming to school every day.

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Image description: a teen sits on a wall and thinks

10/11/2024

10/10/2024

Bringing this old post back because it asks such an important question: How do you advocate for less compliance and more regulation--especially when you feel like you are the only one in the room that believes in this imperative shift?

I was recently asked to help with a student---according to the referral he is a 17 year old autistic student who is currently "struggling" at school. He has been suspended multiple times this year for "aggressive and inappropriate behavior". Student has an IEP with Social Skills Goals and a recent FBA w/ updated Behavior Plan/Goals. Zero related services like speech or OT. Zero mention of supports for regulation, sensory, communication, predictability. Zero curiosity for his inner experience!!! When he becomes "aggressive" the plan is to get him to the "quiet room" which is a stark white room with nothing in it ("for safety of the student and staff" they say). If he continues to escalate and do things that “break school rules” he gets suspended. Every question I asked was met with a 'we tried that' or 'that would reinforce his behavior' or 'he needs to learn that this behavior is illegal, inappropriate, etc'. I felt so alone and activated in this meeting, but couldn’t stop thinking about how many million times worse this student might feel coming to school every day.

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Image description: a teen sits on a wall and thinks

10/10/2024

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month!

Dysautonomia, a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system, is common among people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), particularly hypermobile EDS (hEDS), and hypermobility spectrum disorders.

The most common forms include orthostatic hypotension, PoTS, and vasovagal syncope. Symptoms can include:

- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fatigue and headaches
- Exercise intolerance
- Blurred vision or nausea

Management often includes lifestyle changes, such as increasing fluid intake, dietary adjustments, and learning postural maneuvers. These steps can help improve your quality of life. Learn more from expert Dr. Mark Belham here: https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/understanding-pots-webinar/

Read about autonomic dysfunction here: https://www.ehlers-danlos.org/information/autonomic-dysfunction/

10/10/2024

You never really know...

10/10/2024

As communication specialists, we SLPs are responsible for working together with our clients to express who they are and what they want. Let’s start by listening.

Our research review “The right to be yourself” features the perspectives of autistic people with intellectual disability, facilitated and described by autistic researchers. This neurodiversity-affirming study gives us insight and practical strategies to enable self-determination for these folks—find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Everyone-else-is-already-taken

The research:
https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613241254432

[Visual description: Cartoon of three individuals. The person on the left says, "Give me options that I like, and respect my choices." The person in the middle says, "Let me communicate my own way. Give me time to process and learn the ways I communicate." The person on the right says, "I need an environment that feels safe, physically and emotionally." Image text reads, "Respecting my autonomy means respecting who I am."]

10/10/2024

10/10/2024

“Clean your plate”.
“No pain, no gain.”
“No rest for the weary.”

We know compliance messaging is everywhere. What is an “anti-body listening” phrase that you might have heard growing up (or recently)?

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Image Description: a blue and purple tile that reads: “Clean your plate”. “No pain, no gain.” “No rest for the weary.”

10/09/2024

YES!!

10/09/2024

Executive function is the foundation for learning.

We can’t effectively address speech and language development without addressing executive function.

We can’t talk about literacy skills without talking about executive function skills.

We can’t discuss social pragmatic interaction without discussing executive function.

We can’t talk about classroom behavior and performance without talking about executive function.

Executive function is self-direction for a future goal. -Russell Barkley.

EF regulates and self-directs our thoughts, actions, perceptions and emotions. -George McCloskey

EF is self-cueing from the inside out.

Once you learn about EF, you can never unsee it.

Once you learn about EF, you will never do therapy the same way again. You’ll never teach the same way again.

First EF, then learning.

10/09/2024

10/09/2024