When a social communication deficit (by medical standards - see DSM-5 below) is the primary indicator of autism, a lot of people take notice. Chelsea certainly did when her now-grown children were young, particularly her son Justus. Having met and interacted with many autistic people over the last two decades, her fascination with autistic language development has deepened. But her first meaningful professional connection in the field was with Trisha Sacharski. 

Trisha is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 23 years of experience. Specializing in autism and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), she is deeply committed to helping individuals find and use meaningful ways to communicate. Trisha combines her extensive clinical training with a passion for empowering others, making it her mission to ensure that every voice is heard. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, gardening, baseball, and supporting her three children in all of their interests and endeavors.

Chelsea asks Trisha about three main topics in this episode:

1. gestalt language processing (GLP)
2. apraxia
3. AAC

The first two items relate directly to Chelsea's own children as their language developed. Find out why the third does not, and how much it's changed since Trisha was Justus and Noey's elementary school SLP! 

The following topics and terms, in order of their appearance in the podcast, might evoke some curiosity:

• The DSM-5 (The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., 2013) lists the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• receptive-expressive language delay includes difficulties both understanding and using language. It encompasses issues with both understanding what others say (receptive language) and expressing oneself through language (expressive language).
• functionally nonverbal: Inconsistent use of spoken words to communicate needs, thoughts, or feelings. Focuses on the lack of consistent functional verbal communication rather than a complete inability to communicate. (Google Gemini, 2025)
• communicative intent: The purpose or goal behind a person's communication, encompassing the message they are trying to convey through words, gestures, or other behaviors to achieve a desired effect on the listener. Involves a speaker acting with a specific motive to inform, request, express emotions, or influence others, which the listener then interprets in context. (Google Gemini, 2025)
• “allistic”: someone who is not autistic
• neurospicy
• nonverbal vs. nonspeaking
• Presume competence (Stimpunks)

Podcast includes an introduction for episodes 6 and following at the beginning. Transition music, "Taking a Vocation", by Noey Budde.

Closing narration for episodes 6 and following.