ASHA Learning Pass

Neurodivergent SLPs (including those with dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, autism, etc.) have unique insights and expertise, making them invaluable assets for fostering client-centered care within speech-language pathology practice. However, SLP employment is often inaccessible or unsustainable for neurodivergent SLPs due to inflexible policies, lack of reasonable accommodations, and inconsistent use of clinicians’ strengths. In this session, three neurodivergent SLPs who started their own private practices due to lack of supportive and accessible options discuss employment and supervision barriers. They share systemic and individualistic shifts to support neurodivergent SLPs.

This course is a recorded session from the 2023 online conference "Keys to a Successful SLP Private Practice."

Related Courses

See more sessions from this online conference.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Identify three barriers to accessible employment and supervision for neurodivergent SLPs 
• Identify at least two ways to support neurodivergent employees, clinical fellows, and students

Presenter Information

Ruchi Kapila, MS, CCC-SLP (they/she) is the sole proprietor of Kapila Voice and Speech Services in Hayward, California, providing speech and singing voice services as a speech-language pathologist, NCVS-trained vocologist, and singing voice specialist with a gender-inclusive lens. In addition, they provide private singing voice instruction as a voice teacher. They are a frequent presenter and educator on gender-affirming voice care and intersectional cultural responsiveness in speech-language pathology, with previous presentations at ASHA, Northwest Voice, and Sin City Laryngology. She is a founding member of Trans Voice Initiative, a volunteer organization advocating for the training, community, and advocacy by and for trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) speech-language pathologists. They also serve in a research role for the newly founded Disability Caucus, a ASHA Multicultural Constituency Group dedicated to the inclusion, advocacy, and service of professionals and students with disabilities in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. She is a contributor to CREDIT institute, a course series on critical topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion by AC Goldberg, PhD.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Sole proprietor and SLP of Kapila Voice and Speech Services
• Paid content contributor for CREDIT Institute

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Founding member and organizer of Trans Voice Initiative
• Member and research role in the ASHA Multicultural Constituency Group The Disability Caucus

Bobbi Adams Brown, MA, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers) is an experienced pediatric speech-language pathologist with degrees in elementary education and speech pathology. She founded Anchor Creek Speech Therapy Inc. out of a desire to revolutionize the way that we serve autistic and neurodivergent children in speech intervention. Her practice focuses on connection over compliance and integrating neurodiversity affirming intervention approaches. She has invested years into learning from autistic and neurodivergent self-advocates in order to best serve her clients, and she learns something new from each family that she works with. Adams Brown graduated from the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, with a BS in Elementary Education, and went on to earn her MA in Speech Pathology and Audiology from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Early in her career, she was awarded the Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate for leadership and advocacy from ASHA. She is committed to lifelong learning and is passionate about integrating research, clinical experiences, and the lived experiences of autistic self-advocates into her services.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• CEO of Anchor Creek Speech Therapy, Inc.
• Head of Content for the Start Your Private Practice program for The Independent Clinician
• Sells digital materials on Teachers Pay Teachers

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Rachel Dorsey, MS, CCC-SLP (she/her/hers), is an autistic speech-language pathologist who has been practicing for 7 years with the pediatric population. She has experience working within early intervention, preschool, and school-age itinerantly and children of all ages within clinic-based private practice. She is the owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC, which provides therapeutic services, parent coaching, professional consultations, in-services, and courses to educate about neurodiversity-affirming speech-language practices.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Owner of Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC
• Creator of the course Goal Writing for Autistic Students for Learn Play Thrive, LLC and received a portion of sales profits

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 the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Online conference dates: May 10–22, 2023, September 6–18, 2023
Start date: January 29, 2024
End date: January 29, 2029

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