Ellen Martin Speech and Language Therapy

Ellen Martin Speech and Language Therapy Independent Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist based in Farnham, Surrey

REST ISN'T POSSIBLE WITHOUT SAFETYA young person can be given a break.They can be taken out of class.They can sit in a q...
05/06/2026

REST ISN'T POSSIBLE WITHOUT SAFETY

A young person can be given a break.

They can be taken out of class.
They can sit in a quiet room.
They can be told to relax.

But if their nervous system still feels under threat, they aren't resting.

When we're in survival mode, our brains focus on staying safe, not recovering.

This is why some children and young people seem unable to "use" breaks, calm spaces, or downtime in the way adults expect.

The opportunity to rest is not the same as the ability to rest.

Before we ask:
"Why aren't they calming down?"

Perhaps we need to ask:
"Do they feel safe enough to?"

Safety is not a reward for regulation.

Safety is the foundation that makes regulation and rest possible.

A reflection inspired by presentation on PDA Burnout at the Autistic Burnout Network Conference 2026.

04/06/2026

When we hear the word communication, many of us think about talking.

But communication is so much bigger than speech.

Every day we communicate through:
• facial expression
• gestures
• shared attention
• body language
• tone of voice
• context

This is something I was reminded of recently whilst abroad. Even when we don't share a spoken language, we find ways to connect, understand, and communicate.

Not every child communicates in the same way.

When we widen our understanding of what communication can look like, we often start to notice communication that was there all along.

Communication is more than words 💛

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💬 What's one way your child communicates without using words?

Many behaviours labelled as “naughty” are actually children regulating their nervous systems.Movement, repetition, sound...
05/05/2026

Many behaviours labelled as “naughty” are actually children regulating their nervous systems.

Movement, repetition, sound, and expression can be essential tools, especially in busy, unpredictable environments like cafés, shops, or classrooms.

A child smiling while moving is not evidence of intentional misbehaviour. It can reflect relief, enjoyment of sensory input, or a nervous system settling.

A neuroaffirming lens asks what a behaviour is helping a child do, rather than how to stop it.

When we understand behaviour as communication and regulation, our responses shift from judgement to support and children are met with safety instead of shame.

If your child isn’t talking yet, it can feel hard to know where to start.But communication doesn’t begin with words.Befo...
05/05/2026

If your child isn’t talking yet, it can feel hard to know where to start.

But communication doesn’t begin with words.

Before children talk, they learn to connect, understand, and interact.

That’s where your focus can be 💛

Connection might look different for every child and that’s okay.

You don’t need to have all the answers just starting here is enough.

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💬 Feel free to message or email me if you’re unsure about your child

[email protected]

Your toddler understands more than they can say.Understanding (receptive language) develops before talking.So even if yo...
05/05/2026

Your toddler understands more than they can say.

Understanding (receptive language) develops before talking.

So even if you’re not hearing many words yet…
you might notice things like:
• responding to familiar routines
• reacting to key words
• bringing you things
• showing understanding in their own way

This is really important progress 💛

And for some children especially neurodivergent children this might look different, and that’s okay.

You’re not behind, you’re just seeing part of the picture.

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💬 Message or email me if you’re unsure about your child

[email protected]

When should you seek support for your child’s communication?This is something so many parents wonder about and it’s not ...
05/05/2026

When should you seek support for your child’s communication?

This is something so many parents wonder about and it’s not always straightforward.

Development isn’t one-size-fits-all.

For some children, especially neurodivergent children, it can look different.

But it might be helpful to seek support if:

• your child isn’t yet using gestures
• they seem less interested in interacting with others
• they don’t seem to understand much language yet
• or you’re simply not sure how to support them

You don’t have to wait until things feel “serious” to ask questions.

Seeking support doesn’t mean something is “wrong”
it’s about helping you feel confident in how to support your child 💛

💬 Message or email me if you’d like to talk things through

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[email protected]

This is one of the biggest shifts I support parents to make.It’s such a natural thing to say:“Say ball”“Say mummy”But fo...
05/05/2026

This is one of the biggest shifts I support parents to make.

It’s such a natural thing to say:
“Say ball”
“Say mummy”

But for many children, this can add pressure.

Children learn language through hearing it in meaningful moments, not being asked to perform.

Small changes like this can make a big difference 💛

✨ Save this to try later
💬 Message or email me if you’re unsure how to support your child

[email protected]

📣 Ellen Martin Speech and Language Therapy is supporting Speak Up for Autism with "Speech Therapy is failing autistic c...
05/05/2026

📣 Ellen Martin Speech and Language Therapy is supporting Speak Up for Autism with

"Speech Therapy is failing autistic children in England & 100s of lived experience stories have shown this to be true - change is long overdue. 💔 Sign the petition today, together let’s Speak Up for Autism. 🌈

Autistic individuals deserve specific Speech Therapy sessions to support their communication styles, needs & preferences which is currently just not happening over & over again. This is devastating for autistic individuals & their families which affects mental health, life chances, education & future opportunities to name just a few.

This campaign calls to make autism-specific training mandatory for all prospective & practising NHS Speech Therapists. This training would ensure autistic individuals have their specific Speech & Language needs met & give Speech Therapists the confidence to recommend, refer & support an autistic individual’s communication needs.

The campaign also calls 1. To change understanding & misconceptions around the guidance for specialist AAC assessments & 2. To change existing Apraxia Assessment criteria & ongoing therapy delivery to make them inclusive for autistic individuals.

Change is long overdue.

📣 Sign the petition today [visit the link in ’s bio], together let’s Speak Up for Autism. 🌈"

📸: By

When your child isn’t talking yet, it’s easy to feel like you need to be doing more.More strategiesMore practiceMore eff...
05/05/2026

When your child isn’t talking yet, it’s easy to feel like you need to be doing more.

More strategies
More practice
More effort

But often, what helps most is actually quite simple.

Following your child’s lead
Being present in play
Modelling language in natural moments

These are the things that support communication to grow.

It doesn’t have to feel complicated

✨ Save this to come back to
💬 Message or email me if you’re unsure about your child

[email protected]

You’re doing the reading, trying the strategies, showing up every dayAnd it still feels hardIf your child isn’t talking ...
05/05/2026

You’re doing the reading, trying the strategies, showing up every day

And it still feels hard

If your child isn’t talking yet, it can feel confusing and heavy

But this isn’t about doing more or trying harder

Sometimes it’s about having the right support in place

You don’t have to figure it out alone

💬 Message or email me if you’d like to talk things through

✨ Save this if this feels familiar

[email protected]

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