When a young person is exploring who they are, the words to say it, and the safety to try, matter. As a paediatric speech pathology service, we see every day how communication and identity grow together. At A Growing Understanding, we create spaces (online or in-person) where being yourself is at the heart of everything we do, and where families feel supported to listen, learn and lead with care.
Why LGBTQ+-Affirming Practice Matters in Paediatric Speech Pathology
Communication is more than grammar, words and sounds. It’s how we introduce ourselves, ask for what we need, tell our stories, and connect with the people who matter. For LGBTQ+ young people, that might include practising a chosen name, experimenting with pronouns, finding words to describe feelings, or learning how to navigate conversations at school and home.
Affirming practice protects wellbeing. When a child or young person experiences respect for their name, pronouns and identity, we see confidence rise, anxiety ease, and participation grow. Because we are communication specialists, we can scaffold these moments – choosing language, scripts and strategies that help them feel heard without having to carry the whole load alone.
A simple story we might hear: a young person wants to correct a teacher who keeps using the wrong name. Role-playing that moment, practising a clear sentence (“I go by Sam; please use they/them for me”), and preparing a back-up plan (“Could you let my teacher know if I get stuck?”) turns a stressful situation into a manageable one.
What Affirming Support Looks Like in Our Care
Affirming care is not a poster on the wall; it’s the details of how services run and how clinicians listen.
- Warm, consistent language from the first contact. Our forms, emails and conversations invite chosen names and pronouns, and we use them every time. If something changes, we adapt without fuss.
- Clear consent and privacy. Young people and families decide who sees what. We plan together for different contexts (home, school, extracurriculars) and agree on language that feels safe.
- Goal setting that centres the young person. Therapy goals can include social scripts, self-advocacy, confidence with introductions, navigating group situations, or preparing for school meetings.
- Practical tools, not just talk. Visual supports, conversation starters, role-plays, and short written notes for school staff make real-world communication easier.
- Family partnership. We coach parents and carers to build a home environment where curiosity, respect and reassurance are the norm, even when questions are big or feelings are mixed.
Working With Families: Building Confidence and Safe Spaces
Families are doing a lot; holding love, questions, hopes, and sometimes worries. Our job is to support you to support your young person.
- Start with listening. We model openers like, “Thanks for telling me, that means a lot,” and curious, non-leading questions: “How would you like me to refer to you at home?”
- Make a plan for different places. Together we map “who knows what” across school, sport, family gatherings and online spaces. We can practise scripts for each setting and plan safe exits if conversations get tricky.
- Rehearse the moments that matter. First day back at school, a family dinner, a medical appointment – rehearsal builds confidence. We can write a short “communication card” a young person can show if speaking is hard in the moment.
- Keep checking in. Language can evolve. We normalise change: “If you want to try new pronouns for a bit, we can update how we speak at home and in sessions.”
Tips for Families: Nurturing Expression and Identity at Home
These are small, everyday practices that can make a big difference.
1) Lead with warm curiosity
Try, “Help me understand what feels right for you,” or “I might make mistakes; I’ll keep practising.” Curiosity keeps conversation open.
2) Follow their lead on names and pronouns
Use the language your young person chooses. If grandparents or teachers need guidance, agree together on how to handle it. A short email template or card can help.
3) Practise real-world moments
Role-play introductions, corrections, and boundary-setting. Keep scripts short and kind: “I go by Ari now,” “Please use she/her,” “That joke doesn’t feel okay, let’s change the topic.”
4) Build a language-rich, affirming environment
Books and media with diverse families and identities signal belonging. Name what you notice: “This character uses they/them,” “Their family is like ours in these ways…”
5) Mind the mixed feelings
It’s normal for parents to feel proud, protective, and unsure. Find an adult sounding board so your young person doesn’t have to carry your processing.
6) Plan for school
Ask who the safe adults are, what name and pronouns will be used in roll calls and systems, and how to handle changes. A brief “support plan” keeps everyone on the same page.
7) Keep safety front and centre
If online or in-person spaces feel unsafe, help your young person document concerns and plan exits. We can help script ‘help-seeking’ language for school leaders or services.
Our Promise to Families
Being LGBTQ+-affirming is part of our core practice, not an add-on. It shows up in the way we greet you, the goals we set, the privacy we protect, and the practical tools we offer. Most of all, it shows up in the message your young person receives: you are welcome and belong here, exactly as you are.
You may already be aware that we are proud members of Pride in Health and Wellbeing. Our team particpates in the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care Mentorship, which strengthens our everyday practice through education, reflective supervision, and clear, actionable standards. We’ve also achieved Gold Tier Service Provider status through the Health + Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI), and we’re not stopping there. With support from Pride in Health and Wellbeing, we’re continuing along an improvement pathway that includes local index reviews and international benchmarking, so our policies, spaces and clinical care keep pace with best practice.
If you’d like to talk through support for your young person, or you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help: gently, respectfully, and with communication at the centre. Emma (she/her), our Clinical Director and Diversity and Inclusion Representative, can help you navigate the support your family needs. Simply send Emma an email or head over to our Diversity and Inclusion page for more information.
