SmallTalk Speech & Language Therapy

06/09/2026

🌟 NEW BLOG: Why Giving Your Child a Job During Social Gatherings Can Transform Communication 💬✨

Read Dr. E's latest blog post now 👉 https://ow.ly/jmM050ZIQ1I

Family gatherings and celebrations can be challenging for children and teens with . Rather than making communication the focus, giving your child a meaningful role can provide structure, purpose, and a natural reason to interact with others. 💛

In this new post, discover how simple “helper” or “Big Shot” roles, from serving snacks and passing out drinks to helping with games or welcoming guests, can create opportunities for social interaction without the pressure to talk. These purposeful responsibilities can support the progression from comfort → connection → confidence → communication while creating positive experiences that build over time. 🌱

**T

06/09/2026

Out today. I don't feel so nervous this time, as we have just collated the information from 230 parents of children and young people with PDA, so there's no arguing with the content!! All profits to PDA Society You can get your copy on Amazon

05/09/2026

Looks brilliant

In this workshop we'll explore why autistic children and adults mask, including the social pressures and safety instincts that drive it. It will help families recognise the signs of masking, even when a child appears calm, capable, or “fine” on the surface. We'll also offer practical, neuro‑affirming strategies to reduce the need for masking, creating environments where autistic people can safely be themselves.

- 7th September
- 7pm-8pm BST

Come along, ask questions, and connect with other families who get it. We'd love to see you there, get your ticket via the link in the comments.

05/09/2026

This is one of the illustrations that Sally Cat has done for the book on internalised PDA that we’re working on.

Ways internalised PDA can show up

▪︎ Neutral expression / bland smile
▪︎ Not asking for help
▪︎ Holding the bladder
▪︎ Spare / tandem play
▪︎ Daydreaming
▪︎ Pretending to get jokes
▪︎ Lying, even if caught red-handed
▪︎ Inability to ever fully unmask
▪︎ Panicking if caught off guard (e.g., destroying own artwork)
▪︎ Pretending a mistake was deliberate
▪︎ Concealing signs of distress (e.g., turning up chewed cuffs)
▪︎ Unnatural posturing (e.g., thrusting lower jaw out; walking with feet more / less splayed)
▪︎ Self-treating wounds
▪︎ Skiving off school instead of obvious refusal
▪︎ Evading scrutiny by playing the clown

05/09/2026

Well worth a read

“What is Autism?” It's a question that gets asked over and over, but is very rarely answered properly.

Most charities and professional bodies give clinical based definitions of autism. Describing what they see, not what autism actually is. They talk about communication, social interaction, or behaviour, but it only scratches the surface.

In this blog, I go much deeper. I explore what autism really means, why the usual definitions fall short, and what it looks like when we start thinking of it as a human neurological system.

It’s a long, in-depth read, written to challenge assumptions and offer a fuller perspective, for anyone who wants to understand autism beyond a clinical point of view.

It’s also a golden oldie as it was published back in 2018 (pre-AI!) and it’s also contained in my new book ‘Autism: A Collection of Essays’

You can read the full blog at the link in the comments.

And here’s a question for you…
What is autism? What does being Autistic mean to you? How would you define your identity to someone else who asked you about being Autistic?

04/09/2026

04/09/2026

Who is coming to the Selective Mutism session?

September is in full swing... and there's still so much to look forward to! 🍂☀️

If you're looking for support, expert advice, or simply a community that understands, we'd love to see you at one (or more!) of our September events.

Here's what's still to come...

TODAY - Cuppa&Chat (In Person, Derby)
Join us for a relaxed morning with other SEND parents and carers.
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

8th September - FREE Livestream: When School Feels Too Hard
Join Chrissa Wadlow as she explores what to do when school attendance becomes a struggle.
📍 https://fb.me/e/6UM02Mt0E

9th September - Cuppa&Chat (Online)
Connect with other parents and carers from wherever you are.
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

17th September - Webinar: Selective Mutism in Children
Join Libby Hill for an insightful session on understanding selective mutism and how to support children both at home and in school.
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984288470230

18th September - Cuppa&Chat (In Person, Derby)
Another opportunity to meet, chat, and find support in a welcoming environment.
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/cuppachat-sessions-3847953

21st-25th September - School Avoidance Awareness Week 2026
Our biggest event of the year is back, with a full week of expert-led sessions dedicated to understanding school avoidance, reducing anxiety, and supporting children back into education.
🎟️ https://sunshineacademy.sunshine-support.org/course/school-avoidance-awareness-week-2026

22nd September - SEND Advice Clinic: School Avoidance Special
Book a one-to-one advice session with our experienced SEND consultants.
🎟️ https://forms.office.com/e/EPgg41LpaK

Whatever September looks like for your family, please remember you don't have to navigate it alone. We're here to support you every step of the way. 💛

04/09/2026

Good morning and happy, happy Friday wonderful humans.

I often write more extensively on the short carousels I create, and today I'm sharing this piece over on my Substack. You can have it read to you as well, if you're not up for reading or prefer to listen while doing other things.

Click here to read or listen:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-213628162

I also publish variations of my writing on my own blog over at:
https://www.kristyforbes.com.au/writing

04/09/2026

A quick follow up on yesterday's post that discussed why we agree with Not An Autism Mom's assertion that goals for children to engage in "unpreferred tasks" are not child centered IEP objectives that help to support skill development and are rooted in compliance.

Let us say again, we do not expect a school day to be puppies, rainbows, and unicorns (although that sounds lovely). The chances that all kids love everything about their school day are very small.

So, what do we recommend instead? We suggest modifying activities and environments using UDL principles to make sure activities / lessons / environments are truly accessible and we are not adding undue burden.

AND, we also suggest helping support kids in the acquisition of skills that help them navigate their days which include those less preferred but still "must do" things.

Check out our Individualized Goal Rubric -

Not buzzwords - a true framework for making sure goals actually provide a pathway for useful support and meaningful outcomes.
We've got loads of free resources on the website including this one page rubric to ensure goals are truly individualized for a young person.

There's also a 8 page walk through of how we think of rewriting goals using the framework... rationale and humor included.
And, if you still want more, there is an entire Appendix in ENERGY: The Framework, Tools, Strategies & Logic to Support Regulation.

Will link all these resources in the comments...
Image description - our wonderful page rubric with what we consider the non-negotiables of individualized goal writing