Abbey Massar MSc. R-SLP

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Calgary, AB
Abbey Massar MSc. R-SLP

Neurodiversity affirming & NLA trained SLP in Calgary, AB helping young children express themselves.

05/06/2026

Small changes to classroom culture can make a big difference 🌿✨

Flexible participation, visual schedules, thoughtful transitions, and activities that reflect student interests can all help create a more supportive and accessible learning environment 🤍

Not every student will engage in the same way and that’s okay 💛

When we build in flexibility and plan with student needs in mind, we make it easier for autistic learners to feel safe, included, and ready to learn 🧠🌈

Support doesn’t always mean doing more, sometimes it means doing things differently ✨

05/04/2026

Classroom culture shapes so much more than we may realize ✨

It includes the rules, routines, expectations, activities, and flow of the day, all of which can impact how safe, comfortable, and ready to learn a student feels 🤍🧠

Traditional learning environments are often not built with neurodivergent learners in mind. Creating more flexibility in how students participate, engage, and move through the day can be a total game changer 🌿💛

When we shift the culture of the classroom, we create more space for students to show up as themselves and thrive 🌈

04/29/2026

The social environment matters just as much as the physical space 👥✨

Who is in the room, how many people are present, and how they interact can all have a big impact on how safe, regulated, and ready to learn a student feels 💛

Some students may thrive in smaller groups, while others may need more space, movement, or support. That’s why it’s so important to notice group dynamics, relationships, and individual needs 🌿🧠

Thoughtful changes like smaller groupings, balancing adult involvement, and paying attention to child-to-child interactions can help create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment 🤍

04/27/2026

I had the incredible opportunity this past weekend to present at the ATA Early Childhood Education Council’s Rooted in Wonder Conference in Kananaskis. 🌲🏔️

I was excited to share my passion for outdoor therapy 🌿 and explore simple ways educators can turn everyday outdoor experiences into language-rich learning opportunities for their students. 💬✨

What a powerful experience being surrounded by the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains and connecting with hundreds of like-minded professionals. 🤝💛 Thank you to everyone who attended my session and took the time to come chat afterward and share your thoughts and experiences.

One of my greatest passions is sharing ideas and learning alongside others. 🌱 If you’re ever looking for a speaker or training, I’d love to connect!

04/22/2026

Small changes to the physical environment can make a big difference 💡🪑🌿

Things like lighting, clutter, noise, seating, sensory input, and use of space can all affect how students feel, regulate, and participate throughout the day ✨

You may not have full control over your classroom, but even small, thoughtful adjustments can help create a space that feels more accessible, supportive, and comfortable for your students 🤍🍃

04/20/2026

Every student walks into the classroom with their own strengths, needs, interests, and ways of learning ✨🧠💛

That’s why the environment matters so much. While no classroom can meet every need all the time, thoughtful changes can help students feel safer, more comfortable, and more supported 🌿🪴🤍

In this post, we’re talking about environmental adaptations and supports and why both the physical space and the social atmosphere play such a big role in learning, regulation, and connection 🍃✨

04/15/2026

Presuming competence means starting from the belief that every child is capable. 💛 It means recognizing that a student can think, learn, understand, and communicate, even when they do not show it in ways we typically expect.
For autistic and other neurodivergent students, this means responding to all forms of communication with respect. 🗣️

✨ Facial expressions, body language, gestures, actions, and behaviours all tell us something important.

It also means giving students access to age-appropriate materials, meaningful opportunities to participate, and the support they need to learn and grow. 🌱 When we presume competence, we create classrooms where students are valued, included, and given the chance to share their own ideas. 🤝📚

When we know better, we do better. Presume competence. Listen deeply. Support fully. ♾️💬

04/13/2026

Ableism can show up in subtle but powerful ways, especially when autistic people are expected to change who they are to make others feel comfortable. 💭

For a long time, social skills teaching often focused on helping autistic individuals appear more neurotypical, instead of recognizing that there are many valid ways to communicate, connect, and exist. 🌿

When we teach that there is only one “right” way to be, we risk sending the message that a child’s natural way of interacting is wrong. That message can have lasting effects on identity, confidence, and belonging. 💛

Recognizing ableism means challenging those beliefs and making room for acceptance, respect, and genuine inclusion. 🤝 Autistic people are capable, valued, and worthy of belonging exactly as they are. ♾️✨

04/10/2026

Creating a socially safe and inclusive learning environment starts with reflection 💙

Before we can support autistic learners in meaningful ways, we have to examine our own beliefs about autism and neurodiversity. Autism is a naturally occurring difference in humans, not something that needs to be “fixed.” Many of the challenges autistic students experience come from being in environments that were not designed with their needs in mind.

When we shift the classroom culture to validate all ways of thinking, communicating, and interacting, we create spaces where autistic students feel safe, respected, and included. True inclusion is a shared responsibility. It is not just up to neurodivergent students to adapt.

Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing simple strategies to help build classrooms where every learner can thrive ✨

04/09/2026

April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month 💙

Awareness matters, but acceptance is what helps create real change. And acceptance starts with advocacy.

One meaningful way to practice this is by listening to autistic voices, especially those from marginalized communities, including Black, Brown, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Their perspectives matter and deserve to be centered.

It is also so important to remember that every autistic person is unique. Each individual has their own strengths, needs, and challenges. No two autistic people are the same.

Autism is a journey, and I feel so privileged to know and work alongside so many autistic individuals. I will always be an ally and advocate for creating a world where they feel safe, supported, understood, and able to thrive.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing simple strategies and practical tips to help create safe and inclusive learning environments for autistic learners. Stay tuned 💫

04/03/2026

Easter is the perfect excuse to sneak in some speech and language practice while making sweet family memories 🐣🌷💛

From egg hunts to Easter books to talking about colors, actions, and clues, there are so many simple ways to build communication through play!

Address

Calgary, AB

Telephone

+15879981388

Website

https://www.abbeymassar.com/

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