There is no one right way to communicate.
Neurodiversity-affirming speech, language, stuttering, feeding, and AAC support for tweens, teens, and young adults, who are honored for exactly who they are. With over 20 years of experience, I come to you in the Kansas City metro, or we can meet online.
Does this sound like you or your family member?
“When people can’t understand me, I get frustrated.”
“If my safe foods aren’t readily available, I’ll just not eat.”
"People just tell me to slow down when I’m talking, but that’s not helpful to me."
"Mealtimes are stressful, and I’m exhausted trying to figure out how to make them better.”
"As I get older, people expect me to require less support, but this stage of life is different and I need more help.”
“I often hear, “Just use your words” but I can’t. If I could, I would!”
“My emotions or sensory experiences can overwhelm me and make it difficult to communicate clearly.”
You don't have to change who you are to be heard. I'll help you build the skills and confidence to communicate in the way that works for you.
How I Support You
Care that fits you, not the other way around. Every plan starts with what you want and need.
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Speech and Language
Strengths-based support for how you understand and express yourself. I honor every form of communication, including speech, gestures, spelling to communicate, and AAC. I support both analytical and gestalt language processors.
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Stuttering (Fluency)
You have a right to be heard, and to stutter. I can teach fluency strategies if you want them. I also make space for the feelings that come with stuttering, and help you advocate for your own communication style.
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Feeding
There is no one way to eat. I look at sensory needs, swallowing, oral motor skills, and I also ask what you want from food and mealtimes. My goal is less stress for you and your family. When needed, I help coordinate with other providers.
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AAC and Communication Support
Providing AAC evaluations, modeling speech devices, visuals, spelling, and more. We find the tools that help you say what you want to say, in your way.
Hi, I'm Shalinn.
I'm a speech-language pathologist, and I've spent over 20 years helping people find their “voice.” I started Communicating You to offer neurodiversity-affirming speech, language, stuttering, feeding, and AAC support for tweens, teens, and young adults.
My therapy style looks different today than it did when I began. The biggest reason is that I've learned directly from disabled and autistic people. They taught me to honor each person as they are, and to ask what they want from communication, not only what I think they need.
My goal is simple. I want you to leave sessions feeling more like yourself, with the skills and confidence to speak up in your own way. I come to you in the Kansas City metro, or we can meet online. Read More…
20+ years of experience | Certificate of Clinical Competency from ASHA | Licensed in Kansas and Missouri | Two-time Award for Continuing Education Recipient | Member Therapist Neurodiversity Collective | ARFID, Feeding Differences, and Neurodivergence Trained | SOS Approach to Feeding Trained | Spellers Method Communication Partner Trained
Getting Started is Simple
No pressure and no commitment. We start with a conversation.
Step 1: Request a free consultation
Tell me a little about you or your teen and what you hope for. I'll reach out by email or phone, whichever you prefer. We'll talk about whether we're a good fit.
Step 2: We start with an evaluation
We look at how you communicate now, what is working, and what you want to change. I look at the whole person, including your strengths, your home or school setting, and your sensory and emotional needs. Evaluations can happen in your home, in the community, or online.
Step 3: We build your plan together
Your goals shape the plan. Sessions can be one-on-one, with a parent, caregiver, or partner involved, or with coaching for the people who support you. I'll connect you with other providers when that would help.
Cost should not be a mystery.
Here is how payment works.
Missouri
I am in network with:
MO HealthNet
Home State Health (via MO HealthNet)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Medicare
Kansas
I am in network with:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Medicare
I am working towards joining KanCare. Please ask me where things stand.
Paying privately
Private pay gives you more choice in how care looks. I can provide a superbill if you want to ask your insurance plan for reimbursement.
Not sure which fits?
Request a free consultation. We will talk through your options. Coverage depends on your plan, and I will help you check.
Common Questions
Where do sessions happen?
I come to you in the Kansas City metro. That can be your home, your community, or your school. We can also meet online as long as you reside in Kansas or Missouri. Sessions can be direct, or I can coach a parent, caregiver, or partner.
Do I need a diagnosis or a referral?
You do not need a diagnosis to start. A free consultation comes first, and there is no referral needed for that.
If you plan to use insurance, a doctor's referral is usually part of the process. Medicare and Medicaid plans require one. Other plans do not always require one, but I try to get a referral for every family who pays through insurance. It keeps things smooth for billing. If you need a referral, I can tell you what to ask your doctor for.
If you pay privately, you do not need a referral.
What does "neurodiversity-affirming" mean?
It means I don't try to make you communicate or eat like everyone else. I honor every form of communication, including speech, gestures, spelling, and AAC. I ask what you want, build on your strengths, and support you in speaking up for yourself. I try to follow all of my client’s leads rather than having my own “agenda” during sessions. I am not looking for compliance, I assume competence, and will not compare you to or expect you to act or look like a neurotypical person. As a member of the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, I subscribe to their code of ethics found here.
Ready to talk?
You or your teen may have been told there is one right way to speak, eat, or communicate. There isn't.
Let's talk about what you want, what is working, and what support would help.
Your first step is a free consultation. There is no pressure and no commitment. I'll reach out by email or phone, whichever you prefer.
Serving the Kansas City metro in homes, communities, and schools, and online across Kansas and Missouri.