Dr. Amanda Binns is a scientist and speech-language pathologist with nearly two decades of experience. She is the project lead of SLP MAPs – Meeting the Needs of Autistic People, and is focused on improving pediatric speech-language services for autistic children through community-engaged research that responds to the realities of service systems and those with lived experience. 

Her presentation explored a holistic framework for assessing and supporting children with autism, with an emphasis on strengths-based assessment, supporting self-determination, and culturally considerate care. She additionally highlighted the open-access resources she has created with SLP MAPs, which are available at www.slpmaps.ca.

Karen Ann Timm, who presented virtually, is an author, consultant, researcher, educational leader, and global autistic advocate. She is the founder of the Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators, the Neurodivergent Leadership Collective (at Ontario Principals’ Council), the AUsome Carers’ Network and several iterations of the AUsome Human Club. Karen champions human rights-based, neuro-affirmative practice by challenging neuronormativity, fostering innovative partnerships, and amplifying diverse neurodivergent perspectives.

 Karen’s engaging presentation explored her own experience as an autistic person, drawing in her experience working in the education system.

To explore the impact of this year’s lecture, I reached out to Zonerah Mahroof, a student at the time of the presentations who is now working for Grandview Kids as a speech-language pathologist in the Preschool Speech and Language Program.

We would like to thank: Dr. Amanda Binns and Karen Ann Timm, the University of Toronto Speech-Language Pathology Alumni Association members, University of Toronto faculty, and University of Toronto’s Alumni Relations for organizing this event.