Jessica Ellis-Alvarez, M.S., CCc-Slp, TSSLD

I have been venturing out of my comfort zone lately and decided to start recording some of the books and songs my yongest students seem to enjoy.

Starting to share here, so feel free to take a look and subscribe to my channel. Thank you!!

Ms. Jessi Speech - YouTube Singing, reading books, and play activities by a Neurodivergent- affirming, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Licensed and currently practicing with client...

Making the case for child-led play and therapy, IYKYK

Its 2024 and still, there are center based programs and preschools denying students the right to their communication device.

Know your rights. Advocate for your child.

https://www.asha.org/njc/communication-bill-of-rights/?fbclid=IwAR0n7c5pyduoIoSXBWJimuq3OJXPKJeKd_evLfkoOZY0NtkBQBxaUm7GyAI_aem_ASZ6zxVD3qlur5yU2lP1f1YBTYOni7Kx0xnujFG5AlZj3Jp4jmWlSWrw4bWKdyuc1QM&mibextid=2JQ9oc

Unfortunately, this is all too accurate.

THIS is why we need early access to AAC, ND affirming goals, self advocacy, listen to Autistic voices.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Updated terminology! Let’s change it up!

It’s time to change our outdated terminology!

*These are my own opinions, as an autistic therapist who uses neuroaffirming terminology in report writing. These may not reflect all autistic individual’s opinions.

Unfortunately I’ve turned off comments to protect myself and my own needs as an autistic person who experiences RSD.

Amazing opportunity to take this course

Reframing Autism is pleased to introduce Autism Essentials - our free, self-paced online course that provides a neuro-affirming understanding of Autism.

Check it out here: https://reframing-autism-s-school.teachable.com/p/autism-essentials

This course is designed for a wide variety of lived experiences as well as different levels of pre-existing knowledge about Autism - from those that are totally new to the topic to those that have formal education in Autism.

Whether you are Autistic, formally diagnosed, self-identified or think you might be Autistic, a family member or loved one of an Autistic person, a researcher, teacher, other professional, or ally, we hope you learn something new or deepen and extend your existing knowledge of Autism and the Autistic community.

The course focuses on five main areas:
• Language
• What Is Autism?
• Brain Differences
• Communication and Socialising
• Thinking and Processing

All learners access the same base information in the course, but each topic has multiple worksheets available for different levels of knowledge about Autism. You can choose to complete the level that best fits your knowledge to customise your learning in a way that works for you.

Image description: The Reframing Autism logo is on a dusty rose background with the text: Reframing Autism is excited to present our free online self-paced course Autism Essentials, followed by https://reframing-autism-s-school.teachable.com/p/autism-essentials

An awesome guide by Autisticality

Here is my guide to Accessibility, Adjustments and Accommodations and whilst there are so many more that could be listed I feel these are some key ones that you could ask for or that you should offer people.

The aim would be to normalise all of these accommodations so that there is no need for a person to disclose the fact they are Autistic, Neurodivergent or disabled. Even implementing these for everyone could make environments at work or school a lot more comfortable, stress-free and would help reduce the stigma of asking for accessibility by making such adjustments as the norm. Everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable no matter where, so if you have the ability to offer these accommodations then do it! You could be making the life of an Autistic person so much easier with simple changes that aren't asking too much.

This right here, this is our job. To learn their brain and give accommodations. Provide communication strategies. Access to robust communication systems as early learners.

Speech pathologists.
Psychologists.
Educators.
Parents.
Doctors.
Therapists.

Isn’t it brilliant to know that it is not, in fact, our job to make our kids seem less Autistic? I’m thrilled.

It’s actually our job to help them be happy with their Autistic selves. To learn about their brain. To explore their sensory processing differences and work out accommodations. To give them opportunities for authentic joy and unmasked communication. To help them discover their strengths. To learn who they are and celebrate them. To love and love and love some more, and to meet them with empathy, curiosity, kindness, and radical acceptance.

That is our job.

Em ☺️🌈🌻
AuDHD SLP

Screen time. This topic comes up A LOT in sessions. Here is an excellent explanation of why screen time should not be limited for Autistic and ND brains 🧠

As a ND- affirming SLPs- we see TERRIBLE goals written for ND kids. Thank you as always to NeuroWild

A good infographic about why ABA is harmful. Please read and share.

🙌🏼

Autism is a neurotype not a disorder.

Do you live in NY? If so, please help!

Early Intervention is in Crisis...But You Can Help Save It.

You've supported EI in the past, so please click (below) for a simple ONE-STEP Call-to-Action from your friends at ACTS - Agencies for Children's Therapy Services:

Dear Early Intervention supporter. In less than two months the future of our Early Intervention Program will be decided by the State Legislature. After decades of stagnant rates in the face of rising costs and inflation, still the Governor has recommended NO INCREASE in the Early Intervention Program in spite of an $8.7 Billion SURPLUS going into the states new Fiscal Year on April 1.

In point of fact the EI rates are less in 2023 than they were in 2009. Because of this nearly two thousand rendering providers have left the EI program in the past four years and dozens of service agencies have been forced out of business largely because of inadequate revenue. This is a business model that will doom the EI Program if the State Legislature does not step in and do what the Governor refuses to do which is to provide a rate increase in the state budget so as to align rates of reimbursement with 2023 costs.

But the Legislature will only respond if they hear from you and enough of your colleagues and friends. THEY need to know that YOU CARE in order for them to care enough to amend the Governor’s budget to include an EI Rate increase. The Department of Health’s Early Intervention Coordinating Council (EICC) passed a resolution calling for an 11% rate increase THIS YEAR and we agree. We know that without it more therapists will leave the program, more agencies will close and fewer children will be served. That will be tragic. Our Program, once the envy of the nation is on the verge of imploding because of neglect.

BUT you can do something about that today. GO TO, http://www.agenciesforchildrenstherapyservices.org/id15.html to send email messages to the key State Assembly Members and Senators urging them to act before it’s too late. If enough of us do this we will win. We will save the EI Program and we will save thousands of children from a lifetime of disabilities. PLEASE act on this appeal TODAY. It costs you no money, just a few seconds of your time to SAVE THE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM.

Contact Your Politicians - ACT NOW! Agencies for Children's Therapy Services (ACTS) * Michael L. Grossfeld, Provider Representative for Political Affairs * Phone: (516) 576-0962 ext. 18 * Fax: (516) 576-9474 * [email protected]

Production of verbal speech is complex! Most of the general public are not aware.

Thank you to AutisticNotWeird.com for the informative graphic

NeuroWild for the content credit. So good

Credit Stalen’s Way

Holiday season can be tough. Follow Neurowild for great ND affirming visuals. The author is a ND SLP too 🙌🏼

The holidays can be rough. Be gentle with yourself and the neurodivergent people in your life. Many of us may be hanging on by a thread, and we’re doing the best we can.

Give grace. Have empathy. Reduce demands. Be curious, and don’t shame your kids (or yourself) when everything is too much.

Note: I understand that the holidays may be hard for many people, neurodivergent or not. I’m not saying that tough holidays are exclusive to neurodivergent people. ‘Be kind’ is a great message for literally everyone.

This is from my instagram

Em ☺️🌈✌️
AuDHD SLP

Do you have a picky eater? Follow Feeding Littles.

“JUST TAKE ONE BITE!”
“See how YUMMY THIS IS?!?! OOOOH YUMMY! YOU'RE MISSING OUT. TRY IT! TRY IT!”

Real talk? We get it!! As parents, we are so desperate for our kids to eat, to be healthy and also to avoid that hangry meltdown if they DON'T eat.🌪️ That's why we're praising + celebrating the bite of broccoli, that's why we're TRYING to shift them away from sugar + why we're basically ESPN sportscasters of our kid's mealtime, giving a play by play of every ever loving thing going in their mouths.🏁

BUT Research shows that high parental involvement during mealtime actually leads to MORE picky eating. Yep, all of those desperate tactics you're using? Well, they're ACTUALLY what is causing the picky eating to begin with. We're ditching the old school ideas about eating +rolling with the new science, baby!👩🏻‍🔬👩🏼‍🔬

✨Say goodbye to:
👎 Praising vegetables + new foods ➡️ makes your kid think oohhh I DEFINITELY don't want these
👎 Talking negatively about sweets or junk food ➡️ You just made ‘em sound like something they NEEED to have
👎 Watching them eat + commenting on eating ➡️ So.Much.Pressure. For all things eating, remember this: The more you push, the more they resist. Even if you think you're not pushing, if you're commenting at all on their food intake, they feel it as pushing.

So, instead, you're gonna PLAY IT COOL😎
👍 Once you put that plate down, release + let go! ➡️ Less pressure feels safer for exploration
👍Talk about the day, tell jokes ➡️ Keep that atmosphere loving + light, and the focus OFF what they are (or aren't) putting in their mouths
👍 Allow her/him to eat as much/little as desired ➡️ They’re the keeper of their own body! Toddlers go through INSANE phases. Eating literally air for 3 days, then eating like a football player for 3 days. THIS IS OK.

Pro Tip: Always serve a “safe food” with every meal.

✨If you're struggling with picky eating, our course, Winning the Toddler Stage, is here to help. Our eating module was co-written by a registered dietician who specializes in toddler picky eating. Mealtimes don't have to be a battle. Let’s get you back to enjoying mealtime - you deserve it! For people with kids ages 1-6. Link in bio!✨

Good morning Fb world 🌎 Today I’m sharing my new fave resource for parents. It’s an excellent read for parents of Autistic children and professionals. It’s a great read for anyone and everyone, really.

Written and recommended by Autistic Adults

autisticadvocacy.org

Value ALL child-led play

❤️

Welcome to my professional page! I will be re-sharing all my fave neuro-diversity affirming information here along with any other speech, language, feeding info that’s share-worthy!

About Me.

Hey there! My name is Jessica Ellis-Alvarez. I am a licensed Speech Language Pathologist practicing through the NYC Early Intervention program. As a practitioner for more than 7 years, my experience ranges from birth to 18 years of age targeting speech, language, and feeding disorders.

My professional interests include neurodivergency and Autism Inclusiveness. I am anti-ABA, and work to educate parents and caregivers in the harm and abuse associated with ABA.

I am an advocate in changing the conversation and gatekeeping associated with communication devices, especially for early learners. All communication is valid communication and should be honored.

My personal time is spent with my husband and children. We stay busy with activities, play, and favorite movies.

In the future I hope to continue to advocate for my students as individuals and work to promote validation of all communication modalities.