In this episode of Autism Explained, pediatric speech and language pathologist Jessica Yamoah, founder of Tech Talk SLP Services, shares guidance for families supporting autistic children through communication, connection, and understanding.

Jessica specializes in helping autistic children and their families build meaningful communication through spoken language, Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices, and other forms of connection. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes that communication is not only about talking. It is about relationships, expression, understanding, and helping every child connect with the world around them.

The episode explores the importance of presuming potential and recognizing that every child deserves the opportunity to express what they think, feel, want, and need — whether they communicate through speech, gestures, AAC, facial expressions, play, or other forms of connection.

Jessica also addresses common misconceptions, including the idea that verbal autistic children do not need communication support. Many highly verbal autistic children may still struggle with the hidden rules of conversation, such as understanding humor, reading facial expressions, joining groups, or navigating social expectations.

The conversation also discusses AAC devices and the fear some parents have that using technology will prevent spoken language. Jessica explains that AAC can support and strengthen language development rather than limit it.

For parents navigating a new autism diagnosis, Jessica offers a grounding reminder: your child is the same child they were before the diagnosis. The diagnosis should not overshadow the opportunity to connect, understand, and support them.

This episode also provides practical advice for building communication at home through everyday moments like playing, reading, cooking, walking, and following a child’s interests. Parents do not have to become their child’s therapist. Instead, they can create more opportunities for connection by waiting, modeling, responding, and celebrating small wins.

Progress may look like a new word, but it can also look like a smile, a gesture, a shared moment, or a child using a device to advocate for themselves.

The key takeaway: instead of focusing only on what you can teach your child, focus on how you can connect with them. Communication grows best when children feel understood, supported, and unpressured.

In this episode of Autism Explained, host Dacia Williams sits down with Iris Pendleton, founder and owner of Camp Summer Garden, for a heartfelt conversation about autism, inclusion, summer camp, after-school support, and creating spaces where neurodivergent children can feel safe, understood, and free to be themselves.

Iris shares the story behind Camp Summer Garden, which she founded in 2019 after watching her sister struggle to find the right programs for her niece, who has autism. With a doctoral background in early childhood autism, Iris saw the need for a program that could offer more than supervision. She wanted to build a place where children with autism and other neurodivergent needs could receive intentional support, build friendships, enjoy meaningful activities, and grow socially in an environment designed with them in mind.

The conversation explores what makes Camp Summer Garden unique, including its small group sizes, low staff-to-child ratios, and intentional hiring practices. Iris explains why the program keeps groups limited, with approximately 15 children in the after-school program and around 25 in the summer camp, so each child can receive the attention and support they deserve. The camp also prioritizes staff who not only have training and education in autism, but also a genuine heart for working with children.

Dacia and Iris also discuss the impact the camp has on families. Parents often report growth in their children’s social skills, confidence, and ability to make lasting friendships. Iris shares sweet and memorable moments from the program, including a child’s excitement over the Artemis space mission and a pretend “five-star” meal created in the camp kitchen. These stories show how powerful play, imagination, structure, and belonging can be for children who may not always feel fully seen in traditional settings.

At its heart, this episode is about the importance of creating spaces where autistic and neurodivergent children are not just accommodated, but welcomed. Camp Summer Garden is built around inclusion, connection, patience, and the belief that every child deserves a place to learn, play, socialize, and thrive.

Learn more about Camp Summer Garden at campsummergarden.org, on Instagram at @CampSummerGarden_TLH, or on Facebook at Camp Summer Garden.

To learn more about the Infinite Spectrum Foundation, visit infinitespectrumfoundation.org. Spectrum Support Groups are held every second Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30, with virtual and in-person options available at infinitespectrumfoundation.org/events.

In this episode of Autism Explained, host Juming Delmas welcomes Kea Herron and her therapy dog, Charlie Chaplin, for a thoughtful conversation about dyslexia, autism, literacy, and how families can better support neurodivergent learners.

Kea breaks down dyslexia in a clear and approachable way, explaining that it affects reading, writing, and spelling, but has nothing to do with intelligence. The conversation reframes dyslexia not simply as a disability, but as a different way of processing language and information. Kea also highlights that many highly successful and creative people have dyslexia, reminding listeners that learning differences can come with powerful strengths.

The episode also explores the overlap that can exist between dyslexia and autism. While the two are not the same, many students may experience both, along with related challenges such as dyscalculia, which affects math, and dysgraphia, which affects writing. Juming and Kea discuss why understanding these differences matters so much for parents, teachers, and students who may be searching for the right support.

A major focus of the conversation is literacy tutoring and the importance of using structured teaching methods that work for dyslexic learners. Kea discusses the Orton-Gillingham approach, which focuses on sounds, decoding, and helping students build reading skills step by step rather than relying on guessing or picture-based cues.

The episode also highlights helpful resources for families, including Bee’s Knees Literacy, Kea’s tutoring business, Understood.org, and the Infinite Spectrum Foundation, which provides support for families and teaches individuals on the spectrum skills like podcast production. Kea also shares the role of animal therapy through Charlie Chaplin’s work with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

This episode is a helpful listen for parents, educators, caregivers, and advocates who want to better understand dyslexia, autism, literacy support, and how to recognize the strengths inside different learning styles.

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