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"If we could get away from diagnosis and think about a child's needs, that might make a big difference."

In this insightful episode of the Therapod Podcast: More Than Words, host Carolyn Gelenter is joined by Alison, a Speech and Language Therapist, Psychologist, and Deputy Director of Children’s Services, to explore the evolving landscape of autism and communication.

Together, they dive into the complexities of identifying and supporting neurodivergent children in 2025. Key topics include:

Differentiating DLD and Autism: Understanding the subtle differences in early history, nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors that help distinguish Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) from autism.

The "Invisible" Experience of Girls: A deep dive into masking, why girls have been historically underdiagnosed, and the mental health impact of "holding it in" during the school day.

A Needs-Led Approach: Why the focus must shift from "splitting hairs" over labels to providing functional, collaborative support that prioritizes social justice and the child’s voice.

Navigating the System: Addressing the "madness" of multi-year diagnostic wait times and the trend of pathologizing normal difficult feelings, such as stress and anxiety, in young children.

This episode is a call for a more inclusive, needs-based society where every child's unique way of thinking and communicating is understood and supported.

Tune in now to join the conversation!

Sponsored by Therapix, providing easy-to-understand, video-based strategies to help parents and teachers support children with additional needs.

#AutismAwareness #DLD #Neurodiversity #SpeechTherapy #TherapodPodcast #InclusiveEducation #SocialJustice

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In this incredibly moving episode of the Therapod Podcast, host Carolyn Gelenter sits down with Robyn Lascelles, a 37-year-old restaurant manager and barista who shares her lived experience with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Robyn takes us on a journey through her educational path-from a small speech and language unit to a massive 2,000-student mainstream secondary school

She provides a rare and vital perspective on what support actually feels like for a student, explaining why she preferred "invisible" support from her teaching assistant to avoid the stigma of being "different" during her teenage years

In this episode, we explore:
• The Power of Advocacy: The role of Robyn's mother, Linda Lascelles (CEO of Afasic), as a "force to be reckoned with" in securing the right educational settings,,.
• Practical Strategies for Success: How Robyn uses checklists, whiteboards, and even voice notes from her current boss to manage her short-term memory challenges and run a successful business,.•
• Navigating the Workplace: Robyn's "full circle" journey back to her passion for catering and how a supportive manager makes all the difference,,.
• The "Debrief" Method: Why talking through her day with family remains a key strategy for processing information and solving problems.

Whether you are a parent looking for hope or a practitioner looking to improve your support strategies, Robyn's warmth and resilience offer a powerful reminder that with the right environment, individuals with DLD can belong, work, and thrive.

#DLD #LivedExperience #TherapodPodcast #Neurodiversity #SpeechAndLanguage #Inclusion #Afasic

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