Elaine, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist since 1996.  During her career, she has had the privilege of being able to shape services for autistic and disabled children and young people, helping move thinking and practice towards one that is rooted in autistic experience and wisdom. 

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Elaine works within the Neurodiversity Paradigm which honours the diversity in human experience and ways of being. Within this model of support, autistic and other neurodivergence are natural and expected ways of being. There is no one right way to communicate, think, or learn. 

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Elaine rejects teaching a child or young person to communicate in ways that do not support them to become confident and authentic communicators. This includes rejecting behaviourally based Speech and Language Therapy approaches such as social skills training and PECS. Such practices are not informed by autistic experience, are not trauma-informed and do not lead to good outcomes. 

 

Elaine is the co-founder of Divergent Perspectives, which is a professional online training company offering training on Neurodiversity and neurodivergent-affirming supports. She is also a speaker and author.