Parents Speak, ASHA Shrugs: A GLP Story

In this episode of the Fix SLP podcast, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, are joined by Jessica, a parent and advocate, to discuss Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and its impact on autistic individuals. The conversation highlights the transformative nature of GLP, the challenges families face in accessing meaningful support, and the systemic barriers posed by outdated practices in speech-language pathology. Jessica shares her concerns about a controversial ASHA convention presentation that disparaged GLP. Jessica reached out to ASHA to share her perspective as a parent, emphasizing the life-changing outcomes of GLP for her child and raising concerns about ASHA’s dismissive response to advocacy efforts from families and clinicians alike. The conversation emphasizes the need for ASHA to address these issues and better support SLPs and their clients.

The three examine ASHA’s role in perpetuating these challenges by failing to prioritize evidence-based practices and the lived experiences of clinicians, families, and autistic individuals. They critique the exclusion of GLP from ASHA’s Practice Portal and explore the broader implications for professional transparency, autonomy, and accountability.

This episode underscores the need for modernization in the field and calls for grassroots advocacy to ensure clinicians and families have access to diverse, evidence-informed approaches. It’s a candid discussion that reflects Fix SLP’s mission to challenge the status quo and push for meaningful change in speech-language pathology.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the movement by sharing the episode, submitting feedback to ASHA’s board, and supporting sustained advocacy for a more inclusive and equitable future in the field.

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