Words Plus

Words Plus Neurodiversity-affirming, relationship-based speech and language therapy | Autism and AAC

Communication and regulation are deeply connected, and well supported within the context of strong relationships. When a...
04/17/2026

Communication and regulation are deeply connected, and well supported within the context of strong relationships.

When a child feels safe and supported, communication becomes more accessible. And when a child feels heard and understood, their body can settle, organize, and regulate more easily.

This is why we don’t work on “communication” in isolation. We support the whole child, and through responsiveness and relationship.

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“Functional.”You keep using that word… 👀In goals for autistic children, functional gets used all the time.Often, what’s ...
03/17/2026

“Functional.”
You keep using that word… 👀

In goals for autistic children, functional gets used all the time.

Often, what’s really meant is “conventional”:
• play that matches how a toy is “supposed” to be used
• speech or AAC that’s “accurate,” responding with the exact words being asked for

Meanwhile, when autistic children:
• line things up
• echo
• stim
• explore their AAC

…it’s labeled “not functional.”

But different ≠ non-functional.
It’s just not conventional.

From a neurodiversity-affirming lens, functional means serving a purpose.

At Words Plus, “functional communication” is:
✔️ expressing intent
✔️ meeting a need
✔️ connecting with others

… even if it’s messy, unconventional, or requires interpretation.

Early on, every activation of an AAC device counts.

Exploring a device?
Repeating buttons?
Stimming?

That’s:
✔️ learning
✔️ motor planning
✔️ regulation
✔️ connection

Not misuse.

If a child is activating buttons on their AAC device:
• It’s functional if it serves a function
• It’s successful if you understood it
• It’s valuable, period

So what do we do?

✔️ We respond.
✔️ We validate.
✔️ We model.

Because when a child sees that what they do moves us, we grow a relationship and support learning.

Functional ≠ Conventional

Unpopular opinion? Maybe.
But not uncommon. .aac.coach / Kate McLaughlin, and many other SLPs hold the same belief.

AAC is like glasses.Many people can “see” without glasses. But, glasses make things clearer and easier.AAC can work the ...
03/06/2026

AAC is like glasses.

Many people can “see” without glasses. But, glasses make things clearer and easier.

AAC can work the same way.

Many people can communicate without Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), some can even speak. AAC may still help, making communication clearer and easier.

Some children use AAC:
• occasionally (when tired, overwhelmed, or hard to understand)
• alongside speech
• to support language development
• to reduce frustration
• as their primary voice

Yet many children never get the chance to try.

Research shows AAC does not prevent speech. In many cases, it supports speech and language development.

The real risk is waiting while a child struggles to communicate.

What if AAC were approached the way vision support is?

Provide access.
See what helps.
Let the child guide how and when it’s used.

Instead of asking:
“Do they really need AAC?”

Try asking:
“Would communication be easier if AAC were available?”

Centre autistic voices. Their lived experience should guide our work.
02/24/2026

Centre autistic voices. Their lived experience should guide our work.

Autistic children can learn more than one language.🌍 Today is , a initiative that celebrates linguistic and cultural d...
02/21/2026

Autistic children can learn more than one language.

🌍 Today is , a initiative that celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and the importance of preserving our first languages.

Language helps us communicate and connect. It also carries identity, culture, and community.

Yet many families are told to choose just one language, and typically English, especially when a child has communication difficulties or autism.

Research tells a different story.

🧠 Bilingual exposure does *not* cause language delays or worsen communication challenges. Children — including autistic children — can learn more than one language.

And in many cases, the greater risk is losing the home language.

What matters most:
👏 Speak to your child in the language(s) you’re most comfortable using.

Your interactions will be more natural, more detailed, and more emotionally connected. And *that’s* what supports communication development.

👂 Children learn from the language around them every day (i.e., during routines, play, and family life). When they are included in the languages spoken at home, they receive richer, more meaningful language experiences.

Maintaining your home or heritage language supports:
❤️ Family and community connection
🌱 Cultural identity and belonging
🤝 Social and emotional development
🚀 Long-term cognitive and life advantages

If multilingualism matters to your family, there is no need to avoid it, even if your child has communication challenges.

At Words Plus, we encourage families to communicate in the language of their heart. Communication grows through relationships, and connection happens most naturally when you can fully be yourself.

Low-tech AAC will be available at Seedy Saturday (TOMORROW) to support accessible communication for all.Created in colla...
02/20/2026

Low-tech AAC will be available at Seedy Saturday (TOMORROW) to support accessible communication for all.

Created in collaboration between and

Families seek the support of a speech-language pathologist when their child is struggling to communicate. And of course,...
02/10/2026

Families seek the support of a speech-language pathologist when their child is struggling to communicate. And of course, what we want is for children to be able to say what they want to say independently.

What we’re not aiming for is a child who says something just because they were told to. So, it’s worth pausing to think about how we support language learning.

When pressure is placed on children to perform or repeat, it can sometimes have the opposite effect. Some children may say less. Others may start listening for cues about what we want them to say, rather than focusing on what our words actually mean.

At Words Plus, we focus on lowering pressure through connection, play, AAC, and modeling without expectations, in interactions that prioritize feelings of safety and joy. These elements support language learning and engagement. And what we often observe is more meaningful, self-initiated expression.

Did you know children can learn words without being asked to repeat them? See what happens when we stop saying, “Say…”

Dreaming of summer park days already.At Isaac Park in Oakville, the back of this sign is asking for a simple accessibil...
02/03/2026

Dreaming of summer park days already.

At Isaac Park in Oakville, the back of this sign is asking for a simple accessibility upgrade: a communication board.

Does your park have a communication board?

Just had the pleasure of attending .ebert.seminars' Coaching the Caregiver in Early Intervention webinar (thanks to for...
02/01/2026

Just had the pleasure of attending .ebert.seminars' Coaching the Caregiver in Early Intervention webinar (thanks to for making it accessible).

We had to take note of this one quote in particular.

Cari said, “Life is not a quiz.”

Communication isn’t about answering questions or following directions to prove learning.

So instead of quizzing:
connect.
comment.
wait.

See what happens.

01/16/2026

We already know how important neurodiversity-affirming care is for autistic people. But can our therapeutic approach also contribute to parental wellbeing and reduce their stress (thereby supporting both the autistic child and their family system)? Yes!

New research shows that shifting away from a deficit-based approach to autism can support parents in finding joy in their relationships with their autistic kids.

Read our latest review “Neurodiversity-affirming practice is family-centered care” to learn about:

-the unique priorities of parents of autistic kids,

-how parents of autistic kids define positive relationships with them, and

-practical tips to guide us in supporting connected and reciprocal relationships between parents and their autistic kids.

Find it at https://www.theinformedslp.com/review/Neurodiversity-affirming-practice-is-family-centered-care

The research:
https://doi.org/10.1177/23969415251357222
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06850-8

[Visual description: Cartoon image of an adult sitting on a teal chair holding a book, smiling warmly toward the child who lies comfortably on a round orange rug, reading their own book. A thought bubble from the adult and child reads, “I love our time together.” Image text reads, “Neurodiversity-affirming care brings families together.”]

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345 Lakeshore Road E, Suite 502
Oakville, ON
L6J1J5

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Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9:30am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

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