Child-led support is often misunderstood. Some imagine it as a chaotic free-for-all where the child runs the show. Some worry it means abandoning all structure. In reality, a child-led approach is about moving from being a director to being a partner.

In this episode, Emily Kircher-Morris sits down with speech-language pathologist Nicole Casey to dismantle the compliance-based models of therapy that have dominated the field for decades. Nicole explains how shifting the focus from "fixing" speech to fostering authentic connection creates deeper buy-in and faster generalization of skills. They discuss Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), why we need to stop writing "80% accuracy" goals, and how using rubrics can revolutionize the way parents and educators track meaningful progress.

TAKEAWAYS

• Child-led is an approach that centers the child's interests and experiences, removing arbitrary adult-directed rules (like "sit still") to prioritize safety, connection, and agency.

• Speech is just one form of communication, but gestures, hand-leading, and AAC play major roles in communication.

• Some children learn language in chunks or scripts tied to emotional context.

• Goals based on 80% accuracy are arbitrary and often measure compliance rather than authentic communication.

• Using rubrics allows teams to track the quality and autonomy of a skill (e.g., self-advocacy) across different contexts, offering a visual and qualitative way to see growth.

• Before enforcing a direction, ask, "Does this rule actually serve the child, or is it just for my convenience?"

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Nicole Casey, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, educator, and the founder of The Child-Led SLP and Child-Led Therapy Center. She is widely recognized for her work in shifting speech therapy away from compliance-based approaches and toward connection-first, neuroaffirming support for autistic children.

Nicole's approach empowers adults to follow the child's lead, honor all forms of communication, and focus on building authentic relationships as the foundation for meaningful progress. Through her online courses, membership community, and Let Them Lead podcast, she is helping parents and professionals reimagine what effective, compassionate therapy can truly look like.

BACKGROUND READING

Nicole's Facebook, Instagram, Let Them Lead podcast (via Apple Podcasts)

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If you'd like members of your organization, school district, or company to know more about the subjects discussed on our podcast, Emily Kircher-Morris provides keynote addresses, workshops, and training sessions worldwide, in-person or virtually. You can choose from a list of established presentations, or work with Emily to develop a custom talk to fit your unique situation. To learn more, visit our website.