In today's show, Nicole and Katja discuss becoming a neurodiversity affirming practitioner with Cari Ebert, (She/Her). Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master's degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She has an animated personality, and this translates to a high-energy speaking style. Most importantly, Cari has an Autistic son, allowing her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a neurodivergent child. Katja, Nicole, and Cari discuss the neurodiversity affirming movement, becoming an ND-affirming therapist, and what that means. Cari also discusses the experiences she had when her son was diagnosed with autism in 2007 and offers her perspectives both as an allistic ally and parent as well as a credentialed professional and leading expert in her field. This episode provides a dynamic and radically affirming perspective on some of the most essential areas of speech language pathology in need of reform in order to reduce harm and empower autistic students and their parents in their journeys to access more affirming care.

Communication Bill of Rights: https://www.asha.org/siteassets/njc/njc-communication-bill-rights.pdf

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARI EBERT, VISIT HER WEBSITE:

Cari Ebert's Website: https://cariebert.com/

To Learn More About Gestalt Language Processing:

To learn more about gestalt language processing, as well as access Nicole and Katja's resources, courses, and more, visit our websites: www.greatlanguagepartner.com

The GLP webinars, handbooks, and more by Katja: https://www.bohospeechie.net/

The GLP Course by Nicole, for parents and professionals supporting gestalt language processors: https://nicole-casey.mykajabi.com/greatlanguagepartner

Topics: neurodiversity affirming speech therapy, gestalt language processing, AAC, echolalia, child-led therapy, holistic therapy, language development, autism