All Things Autism – Asma Khanum, ChatterBug Speech & Language Therapy

Join Anna Kennedy as she explores the world of autism and speech therapy with Asma, a seasoned speech and language therapist who founded Chatterbug, a social enterprise addressing critical gaps in autism services. This compelling conversation reveals the shocking reality of 18-month waiting lists and 80% no-show rates in traditional NHS services, while highlighting innovative solutions to support families navigating autism diagnoses. Asma shares her unique dual perspective as both a professional and parent, detailing her own journey of recognizing autism in her articulate 8-year-old daughter despite her expertise in the field. The discussion illuminates why speech therapy extends far beyond just talking, encompassing crucial social communication skills, non-verbal interaction, and pragmatic language use that many children on the autism spectrum struggle with, even when they appear verbally capable.