Affirming Pragmatics in Autism: Interactive Case Studies

Traditional pragmatic language intervention for Autistic children has often focused on compliance and “normal” social behaviors—often at the cost of authenticity, autonomy, and well-being. This interactive case study course re-frames pragmatic language support through a neuroaffirming lens, centering Autistic communication as valid, and meaningful.

Participants will submit real clinical cases, which will be reviewed and walked through with guided instruction. Using information about child strengths, interests, family and school concerns, and therapist questions, the course models how to think through social communication challenges without defaulting to masking or compliance-based goals.
Through structured case examples and clinical explanation, participants will learn how to re-frame concerns, set affirming goals, and design supports that prioritize connection, self-advocacy, regulation, and access, rather than teaching a performance of neurotypical social norms. This course focuses on practical clinical reasoning and flexible, ethical decision-making that can be applied across settings.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify pragmatic language goals and intervention practices that may (unintentionally) promote masking or compliance in Autistic children.
2. Analyze case study information (including child strengths, interests, and contextual factors) to determine affirming priorities for pragmatic language support.
3. Apply neuroaffirming clinical reasoning to make informed, individualized decisions about pragmatic language supports for Autistic children.

This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.