Neurodiversity Affirming Speech Therapy for Adults
At Speechaus our team of speech therapists are committed to neurodiversity affirming speech therapy for adults.

What is neurodiversity affirming speech therapy for adults?
What does the word “neurodiversity” mean?

NEURODIVERGENCE:
It arises when an individual has a brain that functions differently from dominant societal standards of “normal”, and that individual is referred to as “neurodivergent”.
What does it mean to be “neurodiversity-affirming”?
At Speechaus, we believe that all brain types (“neurotypes”) are valid. As such, we view neurodivergence as differences, not disorders. To ensure neurodiversity-affirming practices, we are committed to:
- Listening to the voices of neurodivergent communities so we can learn from lived experiences
- Checking language preferences (e.g., identity-first language or person-first language)
- Consulting with research and evidence-based practice
- Ongoing reflective practice to challenge our own biases
- Continued advocacy for and with neurodivergent communities
What can you expect in our speech therapy sessions?
This can look like:
- Developing self-advocacy skills to communicate personal/sensory needs and accommodations
- Educating others about neurodivergence and communication differences
- Repairing communication breakdowns to enhance interactions and relationships
- Building and facilitating autonomy in all aspects of decision-making
- Supporting ways for non-disclosure/partial/full disclosure about neurodivergence
- Developing personalised communication tools to support participation in social, recreational, or employment activities
- Building mental/emotional vocabulary to express internal states and to support self-regulation
- Providing recommendations and referrals to autistic-led services and organisations
And the list goes on!
Be assured that every session is specifically tailored to your exact circumstances – no two sessions are the same.
Interested in learning more?
Interested in finding out whether we’re a good fit for you? We’ve got dedicated pathways no matter your starting point.
If you’re on the NDIS…
Get in touch with our friendly reception to find out what the assessment process looks like for you. This helps us determine whether our team can bring the most value to your goals and funding. We’d be happy to assist with your social communication goals and your overall communication comfort!
If you’re a support coordinator or plan manager, we’ve got all the information you need at our dedicated page for referrers. Feel free to contact us directly or complete our NDIS speech pathology referral form.
If you’re not on the NDIS…
Start with our Social Communication Assessment, where you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your specific communication concerns and needs with one of our trained speech pathologists, regardless of whether you’ve got a formal diagnosis or not. Expect careful consideration of your exact circumstances through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.
Following the assessment, you’ll proceed directly into our dedicated social communication therapy pathways. You don’t need a referral for speech therapy to work with us, but you may have the option to access rebates for these sessions! If you’re interested in applying for the NDIS, we can also discuss this specifically with you.
References
- Heyworth, M. (n.d.). Introduction to Autism, Part 5: Neurodiversity (What is it and Why Do We Care?). Reframing Autism. https://reframingautism.org.au/introduction-to-autism-part-5-neurodiversity-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-care/
- Speech Pathology Australia. (2023). Position statement: Working with Autistic People. Melbourne, Victoria.

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Speechaus is Australia's focused pronunciation advocacy, clarification & fluency centre for adults.
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