ASHA Learning Pass

This session explores concrete strategies for how to implement neurodiversity-affirming supports within the current special education landscape. The session reviews strategies for rewriting commonly used terminology, incorporating autistic perspectives, and changing aspects of the school environment to benefit autistic students. The session is designed for SLPs who have a basic understanding of the neurodiversity perspective and are seeking concrete strategies and next steps for implementation.

This course was recorded live during the 2022 ASHA Schools Connect online conference.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Rewrite commonly used terminology to be consistent with a neurodiversity-affirming perspective
• Specify at least one concrete way to incorporate first-person autistic perspectives within the eligibility determination/IEP process
• Identify specific areas within the IEP that can be used to target aspects of the school environment

Related Courses

View all courses from the 2022 Schools Connect online conference.

Presenter Information

Laura S. DeThorne, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Chair and Professor of SLHS at Western Michigan University. Her scholarship focuses on supporting communication competence in the everyday interactions of individuals on the autism spectrum, including access to AAC and integration of first-person perspectives. Dr. DeThorne particularly enjoys faculty and student mentoring.

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Professor & departmental chair in SLHS at Western Michigan University
• Proceeds from courses available via MedBridge

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by September 6, 2027.

Program History and CE Information

Online conference dates: July 13–25, 2022
Content origination date: July 13, 2022
End date: September 6, 2027

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).