Jessica Ellis-Alvarez, M.S., CCc-Slp, TSSLD

04/05/2024

I have been venturing out of my comfort zone lately and decided to start recording some of the books and songs my yongest students seem to enjoy.

Starting to share here, so feel free to take a look and subscribe to my channel. Thank you!!

Singing, reading books, and play activities by a Neurodivergent- affirming, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Licensed and currently practicing with client...

02/23/2024

Making the case for child-led play and therapy, IYKYK

01/25/2024

Its 2024 and still, there are center based programs and preschools denying students the right to their communication device.

Know your rights. Advocate for your child.

https://www.asha.org/njc/communication-bill-of-rights/?fbclid=IwAR0n7c5pyduoIoSXBWJimuq3OJXPKJeKd_evLfkoOZY0NtkBQBxaUm7GyAI_aem_ASZ6zxVD3qlur5yU2lP1f1YBTYOni7Kx0xnujFG5AlZj3Jp4jmWlSWrw4bWKdyuc1QM&mibextid=2JQ9oc

11/14/2023

Unfortunately, this is all too accurate.

THIS is why we need early access to AAC, ND affirming goals, self advocacy, listen to Autistic voices.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

08/24/2023

Updated terminology! Let’s change it up!

It’s time to change our outdated terminology!

*These are my own opinions, as an autistic therapist who uses neuroaffirming terminology in report writing. These may not reflect all autistic individual’s opinions.

Unfortunately I’ve turned off comments to protect myself and my own needs as an autistic person who experiences RSD.

04/12/2023

Amazing opportunity to take this course

Reframing Autism is pleased to introduce Autism Essentials - our free, self-paced online course that provides a neuro-affirming understanding of Autism.

Check it out here: https://reframing-autism-s-school.teachable.com/p/autism-essentials

This course is designed for a wide variety of lived experiences as well as different levels of pre-existing knowledge about Autism - from those that are totally new to the topic to those that have formal education in Autism.

Whether you are Autistic, formally diagnosed, self-identified or think you might be Autistic, a family member or loved one of an Autistic person, a researcher, teacher, other professional, or ally, we hope you learn something new or deepen and extend your existing knowledge of Autism and the Autistic community.

The course focuses on five main areas:
• Language
• What Is Autism?
• Brain Differences
• Communication and Socialising
• Thinking and Processing

All learners access the same base information in the course, but each topic has multiple worksheets available for different levels of knowledge about Autism. You can choose to complete the level that best fits your knowledge to customise your learning in a way that works for you.

Image description: The Reframing Autism logo is on a dusty rose background with the text: Reframing Autism is excited to present our free online self-paced course Autism Essentials, followed by https://reframing-autism-s-school.teachable.com/p/autism-essentials

03/19/2023

An awesome guide by Autisticality

Here is my guide to Accessibility, Adjustments and Accommodations and whilst there are so many more that could be listed I feel these are some key ones that you could ask for or that you should offer people.

The aim would be to normalise all of these accommodations so that there is no need for a person to disclose the fact they are Autistic, Neurodivergent or disabled. Even implementing these for everyone could make environments at work or school a lot more comfortable, stress-free and would help reduce the stigma of asking for accessibility by making such adjustments as the norm. Everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable no matter where, so if you have the ability to offer these accommodations then do it! You could be making the life of an Autistic person so much easier with simple changes that aren't asking too much.

03/16/2023

This right here, this is our job. To learn their brain and give accommodations. Provide communication strategies. Access to robust communication systems as early learners.

Speech pathologists.
Psychologists.
Educators.
Parents.
Doctors.
Therapists.

Isn’t it brilliant to know that it is not, in fact, our job to make our kids seem less Autistic? I’m thrilled.

It’s actually our job to help them be happy with their Autistic selves. To learn about their brain. To explore their sensory processing differences and work out accommodations. To give them opportunities for authentic joy and unmasked communication. To help them discover their strengths. To learn who they are and celebrate them. To love and love and love some more, and to meet them with empathy, curiosity, kindness, and radical acceptance.

That is our job.

Em ☺️🌈🌻
AuDHD SLP

03/09/2023

Screen time. This topic comes up A LOT in sessions. Here is an excellent explanation of why screen time should not be limited for Autistic and ND brains 🧠

02/28/2023

As a ND- affirming SLPs- we see TERRIBLE goals written for ND kids. Thank you as always to NeuroWild