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Apparently, the online debate between S2C supporters and SLPs is getting pretty dang heated. So,on this follow-up to my last episode on ableism, I reflect on how SLPs and other helping professionals can respond to conversations about S2C with more compassion, emotional awareness, and care vs. jumping straight to debate or research citations. I emphasize the importance of understanding that many parents are coming to these conversations from a place of hope, stress, grief, and deep desire to understand their child.

I try to offer a trauma-informed lens for navigating online discussions and real-world conversations alike, with attention to how stigma, systemic neglect, and caregiver exhaustion can shape the way families engage with communication methods. I, of course, also discuss the role of authorship testing, autonomy, and evidence-based practice ('cause I can't help but info-dump about those things), while emphasizing that being thoughtful and empathetic does not mean abandoning professional standards.

This episode is for SLPs, educators, AAC providers, and other helping professionals who want to hold space for complexity, avoid escalating conflict, and support families in ways that are grounded, humane, and respectful.

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• (00:00:00) - Why This Debate Matters
• (00:02:17) - Compassion, Trauma, and Family Stress
• (00:08:06) - Authorship Testing and Ethical Practice
• (00:13:41) - A Humane Approach for Professionals

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In this episode, I unpack why questioning facilitated communication variants is not the same as being ableist. I talk through the difference between respecting lived experience and still asking for authorship testing, independent access, and evidence-based practice when communication support is involved. I also reflect on the tension between advocacy, bias, and the real need to protect vulnerable people from harm while still honoring autonomy and dignity. This conversation is especially relevant for speech-language pathologists, OTs, educators, and other helping professionals navigating autism acceptance and the ethics of supporting nonspeaking communicators.

If you work with autistic clients, use AAC, or want a more nuanced take on the facilitated communication debate, this episode offers a grounded perspective for thinking critically without losing sight of compassion.

About:

The Trauma-Informed SLP website (Also includes my Work Cited page.)

Our email

YouTube Playlist for Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergents

Follow us on all the things! https://linktr.ee/TTISLP

• (00:00:00) - Here we are again - Revisiting facilitated communication variants
• (00:03:50) - Autism acceptance month, spell to communicate, and authorship concerns
• (00:10:55) - Why the issue is methodology, not the letterboard itself
• (00:14:14) - Independence, safety, and the need for authorship testing
• (00:24:25) - Lived experience, bias, trauma-informed care, and caregiver stress

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Have you ever seen an SLP influencer's post and immediately felt like everything you’re doing is wrong?

In this episode, I react to a CF-SLP who’s overwhelmed by all the “this is harmful” and “you’re doing it wrong” takes—and unpack what’s actually going on (e.g., algorithms & rage bait, burnout, research moving at a snail’s pace).

We get into:

• Why therapy isn’t as black-and-white as the internet makes it seem
• How to ground yourself using trauma-informed principles (without spiraling)
• How to support clients without piling on shame—yours or theirs
• Why feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re a bad clinician

No perfect checklists here—just a more realistic, human way to think about your work.

If you’re deep in imposter syndrome or having anxiety around your entire clinical existence after scrolling… you’re not alone. And you’re probably doing better than you think.

About:

The Trauma-Informed SLP website (Also includes my Work Cited page.)

Our email

YouTube Playlist for Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergents

Follow us on all the things! https://linktr.ee/TTISLP

• (00:00:00) - How to Talk to a Stranger
• (00:00:18) - Feeling overwhelmed by the SLP community
• (00:09:59) - Clinical Ethics: Safety vs. Empowerment
• (00:13:49) - Binary Thinking in Communication
• (00:20:04) - How to help a patient during grad school