#slpeeps

The Autism and Social Communication Lab at Portland State University wants your help to better understand the communication experiences of students on the autism spectrum. As a school-based professional working with autistic students, you are invited to participate in a study examining your work with students, training, and attitudes related to autism and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). 

We are seeking individuals who: 

1) work within a school-based setting (including Early Intervention settings); and

2) work with autistic students. 

We are collecting information via a secure online survey. The survey will involve answering questions about your experiences working with autistic students in the areas of 1) professional history related to education and training in the areas of autism and AAC; 3) experience with autistic people and students using AAC; 4) experience implementing AAC with students; 5) attitudes related to communication and communicative choice; and, 6) perspectives on speech. 

The survey consists of 36 questions and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, depending on the individual.  All responses will be confidential and anonymous. Participation in the study is voluntary. You may choose to enter your name into a drawing for one of four (4) $50 gift cards. 

To participate in the study, please use the following link: https://portlandstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8Af2zuLvpkSzENM

For further information, please contact Dr. Amy Donaldson at [email protected]

Oh Boise Idaho, I’m real sorry that I’ve just left you in the black here. COVID has been rough, y’all. Thanks for your question, though! I could ramble on for decades about the issues with the field, but I’ll try to be brief. You can always message me if you want me to elaborate on anything.

First off, I love my field, I love my job, I love that I can really help kids communicate (although SLPs work with people of all ages). I love that I can give kids real skills that they can use to make their lives better. I love giving kids access to AAC and supporting self-advocacy and working towards their adult living goals. I love giving teachers and family members the knowledge and skills they need to help kids succeed.

But

There are struggles. Speech-language pathology is rooted in a medical, cure model. It’s speech-language *pathology* and we exist to pathologize. Something is broken. It’s our job to fix it. That sucks. I’m not here to pathologize or fix people. I’m here to figure out how to help people reach whatever their goals are.

As a disabled person, there’s a constant assumption that I can’t possibly be an SLP. In any SLP spaces, there’s always an us vs them belief. The abled SLP saviors vs the disabled recipients of therapy. It’s gross. It’s frustrating. It’s dehumanizing. There’s little conversation in the field about how harmful ableism is, or even *what* ableism is.

Too many SLPs buy into harmful ideologies like ABA. Many have never given thought to why that might be a bad thing, nor have they interacted with disability communities outside of a therapy context.

Cutout edited in photoshop.