Overview

Exploring Semi-Speaking as a Communication Identity is a reflective practice companion which takes an expansive approach to supporting autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people who do not always have access to speech. Written for speech and language therapists, and relevant to other interested people, the book challenges traditional ideas about communication. It offers practical insights grounded in the neurodiversity paradigm, and amplifies neurodivergent voices alongside contributions from people with lived and professional experience of semi-speaking, situational mutism and AAC. Readers are invited on a journey of reflection through their own practice, reconsidering assumptions, deepening thinking, and expanding their understanding in this area. Topics include communication identity, communication capacity, AAC, multi-modal communication and shared understanding to support collaborative discussion. Encouraging curiosity, this comprehensive resource is essential reading for anyone interested in semi-speaking and communication identity.

Full Product Details

Author:   Harriet Richardson ,  Kim Mears
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
ISBN:  

9781032789521

ISBN 10:   1032789522
Pages:   162
Publication Date:   30 June 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Contents Dedication Acknowledgements Meet the contributors and authors bios Foreword Introduction Part 1: 1) What is semi-speaking? 2) Understanding neurodiversity. A term, a paradigm and a social justice movement. 3) An insight into the semi-speaking experience Part 2: Introduction to section 2 4. Preparing to support discussions exploring semi-speaking 5. Communication identity and semi-speaking 6. Supporting communication capacity 7. AAC and multi-modal communication 8. Exploring semi-speaking with other people; family, friends and education 9. Exploring semi-speaking at work/ supporting colleagues 10. Exploring semi-speaking in a single session Part 2 conclusion Part 3: resources: Information sheet on semi-speaking Suggestions for supporting AAC information Creating spaces to explore AAC and multi-modal communication AAC myth busting Ideas for supporting colleagues at work Ideas for supporting semi-speaking students Tips for writing about semi-speaking Frequently asked questions Communication cards References / bibliography Index

Reviews

'This is a pioneering book on semi speaking communication and identity. It gives an understanding of what semi-speaking identity is, guidance on how to explore this with others and support to develop perspective and practice. It has helped me as a clinician, but also as a leader, partner and parent’. - Dr Becky Quicke, Clinical Psychologist and Founder, Autistic Girls. ""This work is an invitation to unlearn what we think communication should be. Both authors have a genuine commitment to transforming their practice — to listening differently, to questioning power, to embracing the unfinished — making this book not just theory, but living practice."" - Warda Farah, Founder Entangle Collective, Independent Researcher

Author Information

Hat/Harriet Richardson is a white, semi-speaking, multiply neurodivergent Speech Pathologist, Neurodevelopmental Practitioner and writer. She runs the social media account @hat.talks.uk. Kim Mears is a neurodivergent speech and language therapist who has multiple identities. She is a wife, a mother, daughter and friend. She also identifies as an AuDHD narrator and information sharer who loves learning, unlearning and disrupting.

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