Arrow Speech Company

🏅 Had to jump on the bandwagon while poking fun at myself. 😂 Happy Friday, friends! 🏅

Happy Disability Pride Month! When we know better, we do better. 🌈

How to be a supportive ally to friends with disabilities : Life Kit July is Disability Pride Month. Do you find yourself avoiding conversations on disabilities? A disability rights activist shares ways to be a better ally and to destigmatize disability in America.

I’ve been doing a little prep work tonight for one of my gestalt language processor’s sessions tomorrow. Planning to create some scenes on Canva around one of his special interests… Bluey! 💻🎨🖌️

I have learned SO MUCH from Cari over the past few years! Autism isn’t a disorder. It’s a neurology and people (including kids) deserve so much to know their brain type.

Families, your input matters! ✨️ Help shape the ultimate indoor playspace in Athens, Georgia for your little ones by taking our survey. If you have children ages 6 months to 12 years old, we want to hear from you! Your feedback ensures we can create a space tailored to your family's needs. 🚀 Complete the survey now and receive a special discount on playtime when we open! 🎉

https://forms.gle/gFiCQvJv8JN9Fyjc8

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Don’t avoid it or call it the “A” word - it’s not a dirty word 🌈♾️💜

Oooh, look at this awesome opportunity in Athens! Tiffany is wonderful.

It's happening! Our first youth group meeting for 8th-10th graders will happen on Thursday, March 7 at 6:30. Go here to register: https://forms.gle/xJaC3t236pJr2Qoh7

Don't forget to join us for free play and chit chat with other families who get it this evening from 6-7 at ! 625 Barber Street. Hope to see you there! 🧸

♾️ This! All of it. 👏🏼

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📣 Autistic Kids need to know they aren’t broken and should NEVER be made to feel like they are “less than” others.

This is why our words matter. How we talk about Autism to kids (Autistic and non-autistic) can have a HUGE impact on self-acceptance and mental health.

Not sure how to talk to kids about Autism? I’ve got you! I have an Autism Handbook for Kids (for Autistic kids 7+) and a Guide for Talking to Kids About Autism (a general intro aimed for non-autistic kids) - and these will both be on sale soon for my bday sale - Feb 9-12! Mark you calendars cause these are life changing!!

🌈🗣️ Many gestalt language processors initially appear to be non-speaking! The look children give us when we do the detective work and figure out their gestalts for the first time is priceless! 🗣️🌈

SO much learning happening here lately! I am so proud to have completed both level 1 and level 2 trainings for the Inside Out Sensory program with .slp! Our sensory systems drive everything we do. We will ALWAYS prioritize regulation over everything else and I now feel so equipped to help get my littles better regulated so their little brains can focus on communicating.

We’re back! It’s been a minute, but we are excited to be meeting again tonight at from 6-7 for play!

I did it! Thursday and Friday I completed my Level 1 Inside Out Sensory Certification! 🎉 Level 2 coming in January. 💪🏼

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My daughter is not ‘typical.’

Trying to force her to be something that she’s not doesn’t work.

Let’s play a game, shall we?

Hey, Mom, you need to be autistic now.

What?

Don’t worry; we’ll show you how. We’re going to give you therapy to make you autistic.

But I’m not autistic.

Not relevant.

But ..

We’re going to teach you to act autistic. All. The. Time.

But ..that’s not who I am.

Yeah, we know, but you’re going to have to get used to it.

But it’s NOT WHO I AM.

No, it’s not, but it’s who you need to at least appear to be if you’re going to succeed in this world.

WHAT??

**

It hurts to be told - and shown - that who you are is not okay.

That how you experience the world is ... wrong.

That how you act is … wrong.

That how you express excitement, show fear, communicate joy, share sadness, and, and, and ... are wrong.

It is a life of No.

It is an environment of negative, toxic energy.

No.

No.

No.

A gummy bear for suppressing your natural instincts.

A sticker on a chart for mastering a facade.

It is exhausting.

It doesn’t work.

We cannot be who we aren’t.

Even if we can pretend well enough to convince the panel of judges, pretending to be someone you aren’t isn’t a life.

It hurts.

So I will not strive for normalcy for my autistic child.

It’s an asinine and dangerous goal.

Low self-esteem.

Depression.

Alcoholism.

Drug abuse.

Su*c*de.

I’ve seen them all.

And I emphatically reject that trajectory.

My daughter is not ordinary.

She is not typical.

She sees and experiences this life we share differently than most.

And so I will do everything I can to arm her with the tools that she needs to get by in a world that doesn’t fit.

I will teach her what will be expected of her in every situation I can think to include.

And I will tell her, by word and by deed, that her quest is not to make others comfortable, but to find the space in which both she and others can be as comfortable as possible, together.

That it is not a one-way street.

That she has every right to say, in her way, ‘The fact that I don’t fit the mold doesn’t mean that I’m the wrong shape. It means that we need a more flexible mold.’

I once believed that normalcy was our goal.

No more.

Now, we strive to appreciate and celebrate and foster that which is, truly, extraordinary.

{image is a photo of Brooke and me laughing together, taken by Luau.}

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Athens Area Homeless Shelter needs your help! 👻🎃🤠🎩👑

If you are looking for a fun and creative way to support AAHS this spooky season, this is the perfect opportunity! Our kids are in need of Halloween costumes this year! Please consider donating a Halloween costume to support a kid and allow them to be creative, have fun and create happy memories! The list of preferred costumes and sizes is in our link in bio. Give us a call at 706-354-0423 for more information! As always, we are so appreciative of your support in creating a safe and fun environment for our kids and families! Thank you for helping us make a difference for families in our community this October!

We can’t wait to play tonight! ⭐️

This could not be more true (not only valid with AAC, but with any form of communication).

Absolutely!

This is probably my favorite thing my good friend Shanna said - speaking about her two amazing Autistic boys Teague and Lane! 🌈♾️❤️

Great info from Mrs Speechie P! Many children do not present with the stereotypical characteristics of autism. 🌈

❤️♾️🌈 Autism is generally different than most people think (often the exact opposite of the stereotypes!) - but Autism has such a wide range of how differences can present, and I challenge you to learn more today!

A great place to start is at my pinned posts and with my Autism Handbook (available on my website www.mrsspeechiep.com) ❤️

💯 This could not be more accurate. 🌈

📣 To whoever needs to hear this right now 😘

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Biweekly Thursday evening playgroup starts tomorrow and meets from 6-7 at Adult and Child Counseling of Athens! This is an inclusive playgroup particularly for families with preschoolers and toddlers who are minimally to nonspeaking. Have a child who isn't talking much? Plays differently? All play is okay! Come connect with other families with no need to explain!

Registration link in bio.

Groups | Arrow Speech Company Arrow Speech Company is now offering neurodivergent groups! These groups are an opportunity for parents and children alike to connect.