Neurodiversity Key Note Speaker | Speech-Language Pathologist |Author |Advocate
Julie Roberts, M.S., CCC-SLP
– Neurodiversity Expert, ASHA Certified Speech-Language Pathologist & Formally Late-Identified Autistic Professional
➥ Mission & Advocacy
At the core of Julie’s work is a passionate commitment to promoting trauma-informed, evidence-based, neurodiversity-paradigm centered therapy and educational practices, including assessment and goal writing that respect the distinct social communication traits of autistic individuals. Julie’s mission is to advance the objectives of the Neurodiversity Movement – a disability human rights and social justice campaign.
➥ Author
The Gold Standard Fallacy of ABA: A Reference Guide for Therapists, Educators, & Parents (2024). “A Science-minded look at a junk science industry.” ” Important book for parents and practitioners.” “Well-researched, valuable information for anyone wanting to know the truths about ABA.”
➥ Publications & Recognition
Julie’s article, Ableism, Code-Switching, and Camouflaging: A Letter to the Editor on Gerlach-Houck and DeThorne was published the ASHA LSHSS Journal in 2023. She is a co-author of the 2023 Comparative Autism Research Effectiveness (CARE) PICORI grant, an invited committee member of the ASHA 2024 Convention Topic Committee—Considerations for Autism Topics, and will present two sessions at ASHA’s 2024 Convention.
➥ Impact & Outreach
Over the last seven years, Julie has conducted professional development courses for thousands of therapists. Her role as a invited speaker is in high demand, including appearances at events, podcasts, magazine and news interviews, radio shows, and on discussion panels. Additionally, her articles and educational resources on neurodiversity have reached an extensive audience worldwide, highlighting her significant impact in neurodiversity-paradigm centered education and advocacy.
➥ Pioneering Initiatives
In 2018, Julie established the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, Inc. This trailblazing initiative seeks to align therapeutic practices with an evidence-based framework that not only respects but also celebrates neurodiversity.
➥ Connect with Julie on Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X
➥ Contact Julie: info@therapistndc.org
Neurodiversity Speaker, Julie Roberts
Speaking Engagements
2026:
❑ Ethical Autism Services: Contemporary Research, Lived Experiences & The Neurodiversity Paradigm. Texas: Region 10 School District, Education Service Center. July 17, 2026.
❑ Autism Research in Practice: Ethical School-Based SLP Services through the
Neurodiversity Lens. Michigan: Ottawa Area ISD. April 30, 2026.
2025:
❑ The Neurodiversity Paradigm: Ethical and Evidence-Based Approaches to Client Care Across the Lifespan. NL Health Services, Newfoundland and Labrador. November 12 and 19.
❑ Beyond the Binary of Trauma: Neurodiversity Paradigm Centered Care for Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence. Brave Step®. September 5, 2025.
❑ Autistic Thriving Without Punishments or Rewards: Inclusive approaches for home, education and community settings. Pen Plus Village. June 25, 2025.
❑ Nurturing Inclusive Social Connection: Embodying the Neurodiversity Paradigm. PINE Summit 2025, NYU. May 7 – 8, 2025.
❑ The Neurodiversity Paradigm & Inclusive Communities. University of Washington, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. March 5, 2025.
2024:
❑ Elevating Practices Through the Lens of the Neurodiversity Paradigm: Ethical Social Communication Therapies for Autistics. ASHA 2024 Convention. December 7, 2024.
❑ The Comparative Autism Research Effectiveness Grant: Advancing Inclusive Autism Research. (Alejandro Brice – Lead author; D’Jaris Coles-White – Co-author; Julie Roberts – Co-author.) ASHA 2024 Convention. December 6, 2024.
❑ The Neurodiversity-Paradigm Framework for Autistic Social Communication. Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. October 25 & 26, 2024.
❑ Contemporary Autism Research & The Neurodiversity Paradigm: reconceptualizing patient care. Institute for Family Health: The Harlem Residency in Family Medicine. October 9, 2024.
❑ Contemporary Autism Research & Ethical Special Education Services through the Lens of the Neurodiversity Paradigm. Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township. September 26, 2024
❑ Podcast Interview: Shifting The Narrative On Everything Autism. August 28, 2024.
❑ Therapies for young Autistic children through the lens of the Neurodiversity Paradigm. Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. August 22, 2024.
❑ Podcast Interview: Challenging the ABA industry: Julie Roberts of Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. Noncompliant – the podcast. July 10, 2024.
❑ Book Study: Session with the Author. The Gold Standard Fallacy of ABA: A reference guide for therapists, educators & advocates. Alliance Against Seclusion & Restraint. June 26, 2024.
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement and Modern Autism Research: Ethical Approaches in Therapy. Physio Inq, Australia. June 21, 2024.
❑ KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Contemporary Autism Research & Ethical SLP Public School Services through the Lens of the Neurodiversity Movement. Texas: Region 13 School District, Education Service Center. June 5, 2024.
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement, Contemporary Autism Research & the Ethical Implications for School Psychologists. Ottawa County School Psychologist Group, Michigan. May 17, 2024.
❑ B-3 Trauma-Informed Practices through the Lens of the Neurodiversity Movement. ERI Birth to Three Conference. April 5, 2024.
❑ Is ABA for Autistic Children a Neurodiversity-Affirming Model of Care? Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. March 21, 2024.
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement and Evidence-Based SLP Practices, Clare-Gladwin RESD – Clare, Michigan. January 12, 2024.
2023:
❑ Julie Roberts Discusses Neurodiversity Affirming Care. Telepractice Today. Nov 13, 2023.
❑ Comparative Autism Research Effectiveness (CARE) Conference. – October 20 – 21, 2023.
❑ Autism Research for Us: Creating an agenda led by the autistic community – Panelist on Beyond Behaviorism Ages 0-22: What does the future of services research look like for autistic youth? ASAN & Policy and Analytics Center (PAC), A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University. September 14, 2023.
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement and Evidence-Based SLP Practices, 2023 Speech-Language Pathologist Summer Institute – Virginia Department of Education’s Content Teaching Academy. June 29, 2023
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement the Ethical Implications for Providers. Mental Health Counseling Center at San Diego City College. June 20, 2023.
❑ The Neurodiversity-Affirming Conceptual Practice Framework for Social Communication: Assessment, Goal Writing, Implementation Plan. 3-hour short course. Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) Annual Conference. April 13, 2023.
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement & Autistic Self-Determination: Implications for Ethical & Informed SLP Practice. 3-hour short course. Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA) Annual Conference. April 13, 2023.
❑ The Detrimental Outcomes of Social Skills Training and an Alternative: “Neurodiversity-Affirming Conceptual Practice Framework for Social Communication (NCPFSC). 3-hour short course. The Arizona Speech Hearing Association (ArSHA) Annual Conference. March 31, 2022.
❑ Social Skills “Training”: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Framework. 3-hour short course – Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Association (MSHA) Annual Conference. March 24, 2023
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement and Evidence-Based SLP Practices. 3-hour short course – Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Association (MSHA) Annual Conference. March 23, 2023
❑ Noncompliant – the podcast. The shifting landscape of autism services: Talking with Therapist Neurodiversity Collective’s Julie Roberts. February 24, 2023.
2022:
❑ Neurodiversity-Affirming Best Practices for Speech-Language Pathologists: An Overview. South Carolina Speech-Language-Hearing Association (SCSHA) Fall Workshop. October 21, 2022
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement and its Implications for Speech Language Therapy Practices. Private Event – Ottawa Area ISD- Speech Pathologists. October 20, 2022
❑ An Educators’ Guide to Autism: Contemporary Research and the Implications for a Trauma-Informed Classroom. Private Event – Texas Public School Professional Development Event. September 26, 2022.
❑ An Educators’ Guide to Autism: Contemporary Research and the Implications for a Trauma-Informed Classroom. Private Event – Texas Public School District. August 10, 2022
❑ Social Skills “Training”: A Neurodiversity-Affirming Framework. SpeechPathology.com. July 26, 2022
❑ ABA Treatment for Autistic Children as viewed within a Neurodiversity-Affirming Model of Care. Private Event – Children’s Law Center, Washington D.C. July 13, 2022
❑ The Neurodiversity Movement: Implications for Autism Service Providers. SpeechPathology.com. June 21, 2022
❑ The Neurodiversity Paradigm, a Sea Change in SLP Practice Frameworks. Private Event – ASHA SIG 14. February 23, 2022
2021:
❑ Social Skills: A Pro-neurodiversity Paradigm. Connecticut Youth Services Association’s 49th Annual Conference. October 22, 2021
❑ Shifting Therapies towards an empathetic and respectful Neurodiversity Paradigm. Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint. September 23, 2021
❑ WBAI 99.5 FM Pacifica Radio NYC, “Neurodiversity Experts Talk Interview”. April 16, 2021
❑ Autism from a Neurodiversity Paradigm. Private Event – TUCSON Unified School District. February 17, 2021
2020:
❑ Autism from a Neurodiversity Paradigm. Private Event – Kean University. October 22, 2020
❑ Committee Co-Chair – SLP Scope of Practice: Ethical Considerations for Professional and Consumer Advocacy. Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA) Annual Conference. 2020